WASHINGTON -President Barack Obama says kids need quality time, structure and unconditional love from their parents, calling being a dad sometimes his hardest job ââ¬â but also the most rewarding.
Just ahead of Father's Day, the president devoted his regular Saturday radio and Internet address to fatherhood, talking about growing up without a dad, his own failings as a father and the values he hopes to teach his daughters Malia, 12, and Sasha, 10. He described the responsibilities that all fathers have to their children and said his administration is trying to help during tough economic times and long deployments for U.S. troops.
The president spoke of helping to coach Sasha's basketball team. In the end, that's what being a parent is all about ââ¬â those precious moments with our children that fill us with pride and excitement for their future; the chances we have to set an example or offer a piece of advice; the opportunities to just be there and show them that we love them, he said.
Obama, who was raised largely by his grandparents in Hawaii after his father left when he was very young, also talked about what he wishes he'd done differently.
I felt his absence. And I wonder what my life would have been like had he been a greater presence, the president said.
That's why I've tried so hard to be a good dad for my own children. I haven't always succeeded, of course ââ¬â in the past, my job has kept me away from home more often than I liked, and the burden of raising two young girls would sometimes fall too heavily on Michelle.
The president said he's learned that what children need most is their parents' time and a structure that instills self-discipline and responsibility, noting that even in the White House Malia and Sasha do their chores and walk the dog. And above all, children need our unconditional love, the president said, whether they succeed or make mistakes; when life is easy and when life is tough.
Rest of article: http://www.aolnews.com/story/obama-being-a-dad-is-sometimes-my/1854899/
Just ahead of Father's Day, the president devoted his regular Saturday radio and Internet address to fatherhood, talking about growing up without a dad, his own failings as a father and the values he hopes to teach his daughters Malia, 12, and Sasha, 10. He described the responsibilities that all fathers have to their children and said his administration is trying to help during tough economic times and long deployments for U.S. troops.
The president spoke of helping to coach Sasha's basketball team. In the end, that's what being a parent is all about ââ¬â those precious moments with our children that fill us with pride and excitement for their future; the chances we have to set an example or offer a piece of advice; the opportunities to just be there and show them that we love them, he said.
Obama, who was raised largely by his grandparents in Hawaii after his father left when he was very young, also talked about what he wishes he'd done differently.
I felt his absence. And I wonder what my life would have been like had he been a greater presence, the president said.
That's why I've tried so hard to be a good dad for my own children. I haven't always succeeded, of course ââ¬â in the past, my job has kept me away from home more often than I liked, and the burden of raising two young girls would sometimes fall too heavily on Michelle.
The president said he's learned that what children need most is their parents' time and a structure that instills self-discipline and responsibility, noting that even in the White House Malia and Sasha do their chores and walk the dog. And above all, children need our unconditional love, the president said, whether they succeed or make mistakes; when life is easy and when life is tough.
Rest of article: http://www.aolnews.com/story/obama-being-a-dad-is-sometimes-my/1854899/
