Michelle Obama Explains Why She’s Not Her Kids’ ‘Girlfriend’

Former first lady Michelle Obama opens up about her approach to parenting, and she’s in favor of having firm boundaries over being buddy-buddy.

Michelle Obama: “Children must learn to live with injustice”

During Michelle’s recent REVOLT TV special, REVOLT x Michelle Obama: The Intergenerational Conversation, a discussion on ‘gentle parenting’ was featured in the panel – which consisted of Michelle Obama, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Winnie Harlow, HER and Kelly Rowland. Angie Martinez also acted as presenter.

At one point, Kelly turned to Michelle and asked, “Isn’t there a part of you that wants to be a trusted friend too, or do you just put yourself in the parenting box?”

Before the R&B icon could even finish her question, Michelle replied with a resounding “no.”

Obama went on to explain her rationale by saying that parents shouldn’t care if their kids “like” them.

“Once you’ve decided you want your child to be your friend, now worry that he might like you. And there are so many parents that have nothing to do with liking you… So much of what you have to teach them goes against what they want.”

She continued, noting that parents have a duty to equip their children for some of life’s hardships.

“With a friend, you want them to be happy all the time. Their children must learn to live with their unhappiness. They must learn to live with injustice and they must learn it in their homes. Your first bout of injustice can’t be at school or when you’re 30.”

Michelle matched Kelly all the way. pic.twitter.com/ZV20uN0mCj

— CLANKY CLANK (@HotBoyMatt92) December 17, 2022

Twitter believes Kelly’s argument about “gentle parenting” has been lost in translation

While Michelle’s comment was supported by her panelists, Twitter drew some resistance.

One user said Michelle’s comments resembled “very old parenting propaganda.”

The interview Kelly and Michelle Obama did on raising children reminds me of very old parenting propaganda.

— Zeke’s poem (@ty_sarr) December 20, 2022

This interview/dialogue with Kelly Rowland, Michelle Obama and others, at least the clips I’ve seen, seems to focus on pushing us back to some traditional forms of parenting and marriage… Kelly seems to want to think critically about things, especially gentle ones upbringing, but.

— Pratt’s Dual Consciousness Live (@JBPrattJrPhD) December 17, 2022

Others claimed that since “mothers play many roles,” parents should be able to be friends with their children.

Absolutely. Even as a friend, you know that your friends will not always like you. If you’re not willing to check your friends, are you even really friends?

— London (@CuriousMindPB) December 18, 2022

You can definitely be a mother and your child’s friend. It’s about borders. While this limit can be difficult to figure out, it is possible and definitely VERY important

— Sim 🇳🇬 (@SimmingTingzz) December 19, 2022

Additionally, Kelly was called out for mistaking the true definition of gentle parenting, while calling Michelle’s approach “authoritative.”

Facts Michele has an authoritative upbringing down to the last detail

— Kenny Sama  (@KennyL5S5) December 18, 2022

However, some felt that Michelle had a solid point.

That’s what Michelle Obama said! These kids don’t belong with your little frens. You struggle with words

— Bre’on (@_BayBey) December 19, 2022

I am 100% for gentle parenting. But Michelle Obama makes a good point: Do parents sacrifice discipline for sympathy? To be a friend to your child, you have to be personable. Thinking back, my most memorable lessons came from the teachers/adults I didn’t particularly “like”.

— Invincible Soul (@ThatGuyPHive) December 17, 2022

Michelle also spoke about “threatening” her kids not to get tattoos

As we delve into Michelle’s parenting style, we should also note that she recently opened up about how she and Barack Obama humorously stopped their daughters from getting tattoos.

At a performance on The Kelly Clarkson ShowObama and Clarkson talked about how tattoos have become more acceptable than they used to be.

After admitting that “tattoos meant something very different to her generation,” Michelle revealed how she and Barack handled the matter with their children, Malia and Sasha.

“We used to threaten our children [by saying]’If you get a tattoo, we’re going to get the exact same thing and put it on TikTok or whatever’… We’re going to make it so uncool!”

Do you agree with Michelle Obama’s comments about parenting, or do you think Kelly Rowland is right?