Our former First Lady Michelle Obama showcased her mom’s boomer parenting tactics when she recently appeared on the “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” podcast. She noted that Marian Robinson’s tendency to listen without judgment fostered a sense of self-assuredness in her and her brother, Craig Robinson, as children. Now 61, Michelle Obama often writes and speaks about the stark differences between her childhood experience and those of today’s children and how they negatively affect their lives.
Marian Robinson invested a lot of time into her children’s lives. By actively listening to their ideas and asking thoughtful questions, she instilled a sense of self-worth and capability in them from a young age. Michelle Obama recalled, “That’s where confidence began for me, sitting at my kitchen table, me and my brother with a mom who really, really loved our voices.” This warm and protective atmosphere allowed both brothers to overcome challenges later in life.
Experts are in widespread consensus that these types of parenting strategies build confidence in young kids. Child psychologist Becky Kennedy noted, “It’s a really key part of raising children: Can we see them for who they are, accept them for who they are?” By fostering a culture of open dialogue and showing them that their thoughts were appreciated, Marian Robinson helped her children feel extraordinary and intelligent.
Conflict resolution within the family was another topic that Michelle Obama led families to explore. When she and Craig would fight, their mother would not step in, forcing them to settle conflicts on their own. This hands-on, immersive approach instilled in them the problem-solving skills that are critical to their development. They were taught how to work through their differences without squealing. This talent was their proven ticket to continue maximizing their play time.
The First Lady says her mother’s practice of listening and involving her children developed her own philosophy of raising kids. This foundation shaped the approach she took to raising her daughters, Malia and Sasha. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is a big fan of using these types of experiences to build confidence. She stated, “I could handle a lot of the negativity. I could handle the stress and the pressure,” highlighting how her upbringing equipped her to face life’s challenges.
Once elected, Marian Robinson committed herself to knowing her children. Through her commitment, she not only empowered them but imparted essential parenting lessons that would echo through generations. She proved that by prioritizing children’s voices, interests and ideas, parents can profoundly impact their children’s long-term self-esteem and ability to solve problems.