1. Family Upbringing Barack Obama did not have the “normal” upbringing when he was a child; he lived in Hawaii with his mother then moved to Indonesia when she re-married. However, during that time in Indonesia his mother sent him back to Hawaii to live with his grandparents due to safety concerns

2. Absent Father Barack Obama hardly had a relationship with his father. His parents divorced by the time he was two and Barack only saw his father once more after that time Barack once said, “At the time of his death, my father remained a myth to me.”

3. Marriage o On October 3 rd,1992 Barack and Michelle were married o Barack and Michelle Obama have two daughters o Malia Ann born July 4 th,1998 and Natasha (Sasha) born June 10 th, 2001 o Both children were born in Chicago

4. Family Rules Barack and Michelle give their daughters a lot of rules to abide by, but they feel that it keeps their children, “grounded” “They are not little princesses. It’s just basic rules, boundaries and expectations that we normally have.” An example of some of the rules are: no Christmas or birthday presents from Michelle or Barack, they each must play two sports only one of the sports they can choose themselves, no junk food, writing essays about where they travel too and they are not allowed to quit sports

5. Active Parenting Roles Barack and Michelle take great pride in raising their family In an 08’ interview Barack said, “If I ever thought that this was ruining my family, I wouldn’t do it.” Barack has instilled these rules and values into his family partly due to the way that he was raised, he wants to be there for his wife and children and let them know that they always come first

6. Obama on Family and Leadership His family life makes him a good leader because he wants to help families in America, by giving them more paid sick days, family leaves, higher taxes for the upper class, a new proposal for child care for lower-middle class families so that their children get a better start in life. He wants everyone to be able to have a chance in life by obtaining a good education, and he realizes that this begins with early childhood education. Barack and Michelle did not come from wealthy families, it was hard work and dedication that got them where they are today. They both understand how hard it is for families to raise children in this economy,and they not only want to be good role models for their children but for American families as well

7. References Barack Obama (n.d.) Retrieved July 20 th, 2013, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/barackobama http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/barackobama Barack Obama Biography (n.d.) Retrieved July 20 th, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/barack-obama-12782369?page=1 http://www.biography.com/people/barack-obama-12782369?page=1 Sobieraj-Westfall, S. (2008, August 4). The Obamas Get Personal. Retrieved July 20 th, 2013, from http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20221617,00.html http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20221617,00.html Barack Obama on Families and Children (n.d.) Retrieved July 20 th, 2013 from http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Barack_Obama_Families_+_Children.htm http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Barack_Obama_Families_+_Children.htm Paul, L. (2012, September 8). The Obamas Reveal Their Strict Rules for Malia and Sasha. Retrieved July 20 th, 2013, from http://globalgrind.com/news/obama- family-rules-sasha-malia-strict-parents-detailshttp://globalgrind.com/news/obama- family-rules-sasha-malia-strict-parents-details