Friday, November 27, 2009

Why do working moms take issue with Michelle Obama wanting to be a mom-in-chief?

<em>By Nataly Kogan, from <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.workitmom.com">Work It, Mom!</a></em><br><br><img alt="Reuters via Yahoo! News" title="Reuters via Yahoo! News" src="http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/shine/work/michelle_2008_11_11t075308_450x337_us_obama.jpg" align="left" width="399" height="299">Between the horrid economic news that doesn&#39;t seem to end, Thanksgiving travel, and holiday shopping on a tight budget. I&#39;ve been behind on my reading about the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/11/12/michelle_obama/index.html" target="_blank">momification of Michelle Obama</a>. But now I’m caught up and I have a few things to say on the topic, not surprisingly. <p>As background, what upsets some working women, and what has been termed the momification of Michelle Obama, is her decision to put her career on hold and her announcement that once Barack Obama becomes our next President she will assume the role of mom-in-chief. As a working woman whose career is very important to me, I don’t get what the fuss is all about.</p> <p>Michelle Obama is not giving up on her career or her ambition. As an <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/us/politics/24advice.html?_r=1" target="_blank">article</a> in The New York Times points out, becoming the First Lady can hardly be considered a negative for her longer-term career prospects. (Think of all the incredible networking she can do!)</p><p>She is not betraying any feminist ideals and, in fact, is doing quite the opposite. What I’ve always understood to be the feminist ideal is for women to have the same opportunities and choices as men do. Michelle Obama is making the choice to put her career on hold and focus on her family and on supporting her husband as he takes on one of the toughest jobs in the world. She may later choose to return to her career, to start a new one, to pursue philanthropic causes or retire and write books. But it is now and will be her choice.</p><p>I also believe that it is nearly impossible to survive with any bit of sanity as a family where both parents have highly demanding careers. Yes, I know a few of them. Yes, with some money you can get a lot of help in the form of nannies, chefs, housekeepers, assistants, etc. who can take on a lot of the household and childcare duties. But all the help in the world doesn’t replace a parent and what I’ve learned from my own experience is that one parent does have to to have a slightly more flexible, less emotionally draining and demanding career for things to work. I’d argue that an opportunity for Michelle Obama’s husband to be the President of the United States is a good reason to pause her own career to become the primary parent, the mom-in-chief, for a limited period of time.</p><p><strong><em><strong><strong>Nataly Kogan is the co-founder and CEO of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.workitmom.com/">Workitmom.com</a>,</strong> an online community and helpful resource for working moms.</strong></em></strong></p><p> </p><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br></span></span>Read more from Work It, Mom!:<strong><br><br><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.workitmom.com/giveaways/">Share some good news and enter to win a $200 spa gift certificate!</a><br><br><a rel="nofollow" href="http://workitmom.com/bloggers/workitmom/2008/12/02/the-economic-crisis-are-the-consumers-or-the-banks-to-blame/">Are the banks or consumers to blame for the economic crisis?</a><br><br><a rel="nofollow" href="http://workitmom.com/bloggers/fulltimeallthetime/?p=84">I hate performance reviews</a><br></strong><p>[Photo: Reuters via Yahoo! News]<strong><br></strong></p>
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Comments 1-10 of 24
  • Chips's Avatar
    Posted by Chips Tue Dec 9, 2008 7:39am PST

    I think we should not judge her for her decision just like we should not judge any Mom who decides to work or not work - we need to stick together and this new Administration is a good time for it!

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  • Rowdygirl's Avatar
    Posted by Rowdygirl Tue Dec 9, 2008 8:13am PST

    What job can be more important that making sure that her children are being raised correctly? I know that's not a popular opinion, but I don't care. Her kids are going to be in a difficult situation for at least the next 4 years. Her top priority SHOULD be taking care of them and making sure that they are being handled in the best possible way. She is in a good position to do that (finances not being an issue) and I can't see why anyone would think that it's a bad choice.

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  • Chrystani's Avatar
    Posted by Chrystani Tue Dec 9, 2008 8:49am PST

    I cant believe people are saying shes doing the wrong thing.

    Rowdy girl,

    I agree with you, children should be a moms number one priority. Her kids are adjusting to a new lifestyle, and she has to be there and protect her babies.

    Can you imagine the type of jobs she will be offered now that shes the first lady!?

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  • Me's Avatar
    Posted by Me Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:04am PST

    Reality also bites. Could she possibly hold a job in her chosen field (law) and not immediately be attacked by the republicans for conflict of interest etc etc.

    They do a relly good job of that andin the mean time abuse power themselves (stevens, palin etc)

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  • NiCoL3's Avatar
    Posted by NiCoL3 Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:37am PST

    All in all its still a major responsibility, being a mother is indeed a full time job....

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  • Dory Devlin, Shine staff's Avatar
    Posted by Dory Devlin, Shine staff Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:34am PST

    You are so right, Nataly. I do not worry that Michelle Obama's career aspirations are in danger now that she will be first lady. But I do think her family is about to embark on a journey she probably did not foresee when her girls were babies. Of course, her daughters will come first as she helps them make a major transition without completely upending their lives. Does it mean she won't do some important, worthwhile work outside of the White House, too? I doubt it. She is capable of a lot and the fact that she calls herself mom-in-chief because her first priority is her daughters makes me like her all the more. It is all about choice. The ability to step back from work to care for family when needed is too rare a privilege, and having a first lady who knows that firsthand is a good thing.

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  • natural_beauty's Avatar
    Posted by natural_beauty Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:47am PST

    I think it is wonderful she would rather be the mom in chief. I am assuming she wants her daughters to feel safe and comfortable being the first kids. While Obama is busy fixing our country and if she were to work and never be with them. they are going to hold some resentment and probably feel lost and alone with a bunch of nannies. It is always best to have at least one parent present at all times. Unfortunatly we are all not that fortunate :(

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  • Kenda's Avatar
    Posted by Kenda Tue Dec 9, 2008 12:58pm PST

    I know this is way off subject, but isn't that dress a little too grown up for that little girl. Can someone give her some sleeves please!!

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  • Kenda's Avatar
    Posted by Kenda Tue Dec 9, 2008 12:59pm PST

    **whispering** some mom she is, she overlooked the cardigan for that little girl.

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  • Manne Gray's Avatar
    Posted by Manne Gray Tue Dec 9, 2008 4:07pm PST

    I think it's great that Michelle is choosing to be there for her daughters and family during a period that can become hectic, fast paced, and stressful. Nannies can't replace a real parent being there for a child when critical and ordinary times come about growing up. So I commend her for putting her family first.

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