Knocked Up Celebs

Now that Michelle Obama has become the first African-American First Lady, we wonder how she is going to manage her mom responsibilities and her responsibilities to her husband, President Barack Obama, too. Michelle sat down with Marie Claire and answered questions on being mom-in-chief to her favorite place to go shopping.

Here are some highlights of that interview:

On being the first Mom-in-chief in the White House: What I meant is that my first priority would be my two girls — making sure they’re happy and comfortable during what would be a major transition for them. Throughout this campaign, I’ve built my schedule around the girls and their activities, so I’m there when they wake up in the morning and home in time to have dinner and tuck them into bed at night.

On how her daughters, Malia and Sasha, have been affected by life in the public eye: Well, there’s all the consideration that their search for the perfect dog has gotten from the public. We’re getting lots of mail with suggestions! The girls think this is just great — they’re excited that so many people want them to get the best dog ever. Also, one thing that has helped keep their lives normal is that we’ve kept the same friends since the girls were born. And today the girls attend the same school and play on the same teams as they did 19 months ago. Their teachers and coaches know that this is a huge change for our family, and they know the girls well enough to treat them the same today as when this all started.

On how she handles stress: Exercise is really important to me — it’s therapeutic. So if I’m ever feeling tense or stressed or like I’m about to have a meltdown, I’ll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls.

On her favorite place to shop: I’m more of a Target shopper.

On her guilty pleasure: French fries and barbecue!

On what makes her cry: My girls. Thinking about them, how much I love them, wondering what they’re doing, how they’re feeling … it moves me.

More on Michelle and how she looks up to the other White House Moms after the jump…

On what the have done to make her emotional lately: After my speech at the Democratic convention, we surprised the girls with an appearance by Barack, via satellite, on a huge screen. Well, when he came up on the big screen, Malia instinctively walked up to it — and then stopped. She knew that he wasn’t actually there with us; she just wanted to be closer to her father. And when we got backstage, she cried, because she really misses him and worries about him when he’s away from home for such long periods of time. Moments like that one are the most difficult for me when it comes to the girls.

On what she has learned from other White House Moms: Hillary Clinton has been a great source of inspiration … she and President Clinton did an incredible job raising their daughter, Chelsea, who has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent, caring, successful woman. Laura Bush has also handled herself and her girls so elegantly during their years in the White House.

Times must be exciting today at the White House. I just keep imagining how hard it’s going to be for Michelle to get the girls to sleep tonight. I know if I were them I would be freaked out I’m sleeping in the White House.

[Images by WENN]

• The Obama Girls Get A Swing Set
• Michelle Obama Talks Being A Mother With Oprah
• The Obama Girls Will Still Have To Do Chores In The White House
• Michelle Obama Talks About Her Girls In Vogue
• The Obama Girls Save A Turkey
• The First Official Obama Family Picture
• The Obama Family On Many Magazines This Week
• The Bush Twins Give The Obama Girls Advice About Living In The White House
• The Obama Family On Vacation In Hawaii
• Michelle Obama Talks About Being A Mom And Marriage In Ebony

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