Barack Obama Found Parenting Sasha More “Difficult” Than Malia

Michelle Obama has revealed that her husband, former U.S. President Barack Obama, found it more “difficult” to raise their youngest daughter, Sasha, compared to their eldest, Malia.

Speaking on Wednesday’s episode of her and Craig Robinson’s IMO podcast, the former First Lady shared that Barack connected more easily with Malia, now 27, because of her natural curiosity and willingness to engage.

“When it comes to Malia, she is going to figure out who you are, what do you like, and let’s discuss it,” Michelle explained, recalling how her eldest often made time for her father.

“She would tell me, ‘I’m going out this weekend, but I’m going to go in and give dad like 15 minutes,’” Michelle said with a laugh, noting that Malia would ask Barack about topics like global politics. “He’d come out saying, ‘I just had an amazing conversation with Malia.’”

Sasha, 24, on the other hand, had a more independent streak. Michelle compared her to a cat, saying: “She’s like, ‘Don’t touch me, don’t pet me. I’m not pleasing you. You come to me.’”

Barack sometimes described Sasha as “difficult,” but Michelle explained that it wasn’t defiance — rather, she simply wasn’t a “pleaser” like her older sister.

“Parents have to be a chameleon and adjust to different temperaments,” she said, adding that Barack eventually learned to embrace Sasha’s personality.

Despite the challenges, Sasha and Barack share a strong bond. For her 24th birthday in June, the former president posted a heartfelt tribute: “Happy birthday, Sasha! Watching you grow into the incredible woman you are has been a true gift. I’ll always be proud of you and will always be here for you.”

Michelle, 61, and Barack, 64, who married in 1992, have also faced recent speculation about their marriage, but Michelle has repeatedly dismissed the rumors.