Comments on: Mom Michelle accused of “letting the team down”

By: Mary Nelson Janisse

Mary Nelson Janisse — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:39:51 +0000

As a mother, step mother, wife and professional. I am so proud of Michelle for choosing to be a mother first. It is my most important goal in life to raise independent, happy children.

It is a constant and difficult job. People get real!! It is harder to raise happy well adjusted children then almost anything (Presidency mmm maybe is a little harder), but being a good parent can make you an excellent leader. Listen, make decisions, give respect – all the tools needed to be a great parent….. Seems to me she got it all.

By: Christy

Christy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:27:38 +0000

I am proud to say that I think that she is being a better role model for women now than when she was a carrer woman.

I think that it’s great that any woman would be able to stay at home with her children. I just quit a great paying job to stay at home with my children. They, including my husband, were suffering so much with me working the way that I was. My husband and I can just make it on his income, but we’re happy. I found myself wanting a career and more money to “keep up with the Jone’s”. I truly believe in the independence of women, but I also think that some women are taking their children for granted and going too far with the career thing. Now, I know what you’re thinking with the “but I am the only income in the famiy because I’m not married or I’m divorced and the Dad doesn’t help”. Don’t get me wrong because I understand completely, I came from a home just like that. I’m just blessed to have a good husband.

If more women had the chance or the want to stay at home and be the mother and wife that Michelle Obama is being I believe America would be a different place, for the BETTER. Maybe, if they can, more career mommies should become stay at home “First Mommies”.

Also, if a woman has a husband that loves her and treats her good, who wouldn’t go along with anything that they truly believed in? I know that I would do it for my husband in a heartbeat!

By: tonya

tonya — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:07:26 +0000

I am loving your website too! The show– To The Contrary on PBS–spoke about this issue–a few weeks ago. I wrote them an email–basically stating that for a black woman–it’s actually very feminist of her to choose to “stay home” to focus on her daughters. African-American women have always had to work outside of the home, and Michelle has been no exception. It is actually very empowering for black women, (to witness a black woman), getting the opportunity to spend time with her children. The current images of black women are terrible. We are either Beyonces “shaking what our mamas gave us”–Crackheads, or are on some reality tv show–willing to claw the eyes out at other black women for the attention of a man (ie Flava of Love). Michelle is a refreshing image, that of a loving and dedicated mother (and by dedication I mean in the media black women are often seen as being cruel to their children–I remember watching a tv show once–where the black mother–who was a crackhead, of course–used her baby as a shield to fend off bullets from the cops!!). So– I am one that is NOT offended by Michelle’s choice.

By: esther

esther — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:57:51 +0000

I just found this website and enjoy it. All women must make choices that will affect their lives every day. One woman’s decision, while correct for her at that time, may not be the correct decision for another woman, or another time period. Everyone goes through changes – what was desperately important at 25 may be quite unimportant at 45, and vice versa. I believe Michelle Obama, and every first lady for that matter, must answer the question “Can I live with the criticism of my decisions” every day. In the end, Michelle must answer to only two people in this world as to how she lived her life – Sasha and Malia.

By: Geeta

Geeta — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:38:13 +0000

Dear Sister Michelle,

I am not shocked that supposed feminist WOMEN would demonize you for putting your husband and family first and for wanting to shape and mold the lives of your two daughters. Perhaps they could learn something from you since most marriages end in divorce and most children are completely displaced and have numerous emotional issues. I applaud you for your choice. I admire you for your decision to be a mother first. You are a shining example of a woman who has achieved so much in her career but then understands her GOD GIVEN role in this world. There is nothing demeaning and it is the most honorable job in the world to be a good mother and a good wife. You are the glue that keeps your family together. You understand the power that you have so don’t for one second allow any of these so called feminists who have no idea how to harness the power of being feminine persuade you otherwise. Your daughters are fortunate to watch you as an example of what a REAL FEMINIST is. All of my love, Geeta

By: Cary

Cary — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:55:05 +0000

A great example of why human life is loosing value on this globe. Family and motherhood being demonized. Go figure.

By: Chelle

Chelle — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:03:12 +0000

Michelle Obama has made the choice that most of us Working Mothers would give almost anything to now have the opportunity to choose – to be a MOM. To many, I have the “total package” – successful career, multiple degrees, husband, two children, big, beautiful house, etc. Everyday that I have to drop my children off into someone else’s care tears away at my heart. Missing a school event, dosing medicine before shuffling a little one off to school and hiring someone else to do things for my family that I can do best while I “go to work” for someone outside of my family does not make me a feminist, or a good mother or wife. I strongly believe that the elevated divorce rate in this country is attributed to women, particularly moms – deflecting or in many cases, neglecting the nurturing needs of their families. Marriages and families that stand the test of time have one head of household, and one backbone. Both roles are equally important, but they are different, and they should be. One can not exist without the other.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:31:37 +0000

I get the very ugly impression from a lot of “feminists” that being a MOTHER is somehow a degrading job that doesn’t utlize any skill other than kisses on boo-boos and baking cookies. Just looking at the news and scanning statistics, maybe “Mother-in-Chief” is exactly the right role model for these times.

By: Blues N Catfish

Blues N Catfish — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:11:27 +0000

@ Dana

I agree. When Michelle was being lambasted as “angry black woman” and “unpatriotic” for expressing a moment of glee during her husband campaign, many “feminists” were quiet as churchmice. Nor they they speak up enough when Sarah Palin was being worshipped as the epitome of american womanhood. Again they were quiet. Not only that but Sarah Palin was encouraged to compare herself to a pitbull, while our Michelle was thoroughly chastised throughout the media for being to assertive, too aggressive, and too angry. All the while, feminists were either quiet or joined the harping at Michelle.

I am not open to anything they might have to say about what they believe Michelle’s role to be. They’ve shown their true colors in every way.

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:37:43 +0000

“Let Michelle be Michelle.” Layo G – I thank you!

Mrs. Obama is an intelligent, capable lady, living her life, and if the case is, that at this particular time in it she has indeed chosen to make her husband and two daughters her priority, that is truly her prerogative.

(Dana, you just may have a point with the mistaken identity thing. Also, yes, where were the words of sisterly support from certain feminists when they were much needed? Ah, nothing quite like the deafening sound of silence…..)