
Michelle Obama says the ‘ultimate job' for a parent is to let kids fail and build resilience
Former first lady Michelle Obama expressed the importance of parents 'extending the leash' by letting kids take risks and fail.
In the latest episode of her 'IMO' podcast on Wednesday, Obama spoke about wanting her daughters to have confidence and independence while acknowledging that they can only learn those traits through trial and error.
Advertisement
'I think a lot of parents are afraid of watching that failure,' she said. 'It is the hardest thing to do to watch your kids walk into a wall that you knew was there. And you told them not to walk into it. Until they hit it and get a lump on their head, they just won't learn it. That's a painful thing for us.'
Still, she added, 'If you keep your kids from that experience, a bump on the head, you're robbing them of their own competency. They need to know that you can bump your head, and you can figure it out. Go to the doctor. Put some ice on it. Don't do it again.
'Let's talk about it after the fact. But as you get older, I shouldn't have to walk you through everything. I think it's a constant exercise of extending the leash, always err on the side of making it longer.'
3 Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Getty Images
Advertisement
3 First lady Michelle Obama and daughters, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama arrive during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Getty Images
Obama said she believed some parents hold onto their kids too long despite their 'ultimate job' being to teach them resilience.
She advised parents to start out when their kids are young with simple things such as going to school by themselves.
'Take some risks because you can land softly here,' she remarked.
Advertisement
3 Michelle Obama speaks onstage at IMO Live: Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson & Dr. Laurie Santos during the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Getty Images
During an episode of her podcast last week, Obama also warned parents against being too concerned with being their kids' friends.
'So many people are trying to be their kids' friends, and they think that that makes you closer,' Obama said. 'But let me tell you, I was not my children's friend. I love them deeply. There was respect. And, you know, for those of you trying to be friends with your kids, our kids love us just as much as adults.
'In fact, the relationship, I think, is even closer because now they've earned my friendship. Now we can be friends. Now, maybe you know something.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sadie Sink, Cynthia Erivo and Nicole Scherzinger Attend Official Tony Awards After Party at the MoMA
The Museum of Modern Art was the first stop of the night for the Tonys crowd. Just after the Tony Awards 78th annual ceremony ended, guests quickly made their way from Radio City Musical Hall to the museum, where the official after party was being held for the first time, sponsored by City National Bank. It was clear celebrations were in order, as many entered the venue already on the hunt for a stiff drink. Just after making it through the revolving door, one partygoer immediately shouted to her group, 'I need the bar,' while another struggled to carry three glasses of Champagne through the crowded venue. More from WWD How Nicole Scherzinger's Hairstylist Created Her Slicked Updo Inspired by 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' for the 2025 Tony Awards Katie Holmes Goes for Color Contrast in Prada, Danielle Brooks Shines in Stephane Rolland and More Looks From the 2025 Tony Awards George Clooney, Sarah Snook, Nicole Scherzinger and More Stun on the Red Carpet Ahead of the 78th Tony Awards Guests included Sadie Sink, who was nominated for her role in 'John Proctor is the Villain'; singer/songwriter Laufey; Tony Awards host and 'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo; 'Sunset Blvd.' star and Tony winner Nicole Scherzinger, and Gracie Lawrence of pop band Lawrence who is also starring in 'Just In Time' on Broadway. Immediately after walking into the space Lawrence, who attended with her brother, found her 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' costar Alyah Chanelle Scott, who also starred in the play 'All Nighter' this season. After posing for several solo shots, Lawrence asked 'But are they good?' Other winners in attendance included Natalie Venetia Belcon, who took home the Tony for featured actress in a musical for her role in 'Buena Vista Social Club,' and Kara Young, who won for her role in 'Purpose.' Upon entering the venue, partygoers were met with flashes from photographers and blaring music, which was decidedly not Broadway themed…at least to start. Sink danced her way into the venue, shimmying to Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's 'Cuff It' blasting over the speakers. Julianne Hough, who later hosted her own party alongside Darren Criss at the Crane Club, bounced in, spinning to showcase her dress when photographers found her. When asked her favorite part of the evening, she responded: 'Nicole [Scherzinger] winning, absolutely.' Erika Henningsen, who recently starred in the Netflix show 'The Four Seasons' and is now in 'Just in Time' on Broadway, seconded that Scherzinger winning the Tony for best actress in a musical for her role in 'Sunset Blvd.' was the highlight of the evening. 'My theater kid came back out tonight,' Henningsen joked, adding that her hot pink dress was a nod to her former role in 'Mean Girls' and her current role as Sandra Dee in 'Just in Time.' Scherzinger made it into the party very briefly, seemingly just entering to take a few photos and head on to her next celebration. However, guests flocked to the entrance to see her pose with her Tony and share a heartfelt moment with host Cynthia Erivo. The duo held each other's hand — Scherzinger, of course, clutched her Tony in the other — and giggled before posing for a few shots, sneaking out as quickly as they had entered. While to kickstart the night, the music choices avoided any sort of showtimes, special performances by Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow of Barlow & Bear, Loren Allred, Casey Likes, Dylan Mulvaney, Solea Pfeiffer and Jessica Vosk proved that theater nerds cannot be stopped. A rendition of 'Waving Through a Window' from the musical 'Dear Evan Hansen,' in particular, had attendees singing and dancing. Before and after the performances, many flitted over to a section sponsored by Korean beauty brand TirTir, where they could pop into a photo booth with friends or try their hand at a claw machine to win a lip gloss keychain or Labubu doll keychain — the Labubus were hard to come by and guests were limited at two tries each to many's chagrin. Following their first stop of the night, the Tonys crowd hit their next round of parties, including private cast celebrations and nominee-hosted bashes. Launch Gallery: Inside the Tony Awards Official After Party 2025 Best of WWD A Look Back at SAG Awards Best Dressed Red Carpet Stars SAG Awards Wildest Looks of All Time on the Red Carpet, Photos From the Archive: A Look Back at Marc Jacobs Annual Holiday Party [PHOTOS]


New York Post
39 minutes ago
- New York Post
See Keanu Reeves' hilarious reaction to being straddled by Jonathan Groff at 2025 Tony Awards
Keanu Reeves had a gleeful reaction to Jonathan Groff's performance. The 'Mindhunter' alum, 40, performed a medley from 'Just in Time' while at the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday at Radio City Music Hall and took his number to the next level when he decided to straddle the 'John Wick' star, 60 mid-tune. The 'Glee' star hopped off the stage and into the crowd before finding Reeves, standing on both of the armrests of the actor's chair and singing from the top of his lungs. 7 Jonathan Groff performs a number from 'Just in Time' onstage during The 78th Annual Tony Awards. Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions 7 Jonathan Groff performs a medley 'Just in Time.' Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Groff put his hand down Reeve's face as the actor looked stunned. 'The Matrix' star then hilariously did two fist pumps and made the rocker sign with his hands in a video shared by E! News. Groff was nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical category for the show 'Just in Time,' which was based on the life of late singer Bobby Darin, but lost to Darren Criss for his part in 'Maybe Happy Ending.' Also nominated for the award were Andrew Durand ('Dead Outlaw'), Tom Francis ('Sunset Blvd.'), James Monroe Iglehart ('A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical'), and Jeremy Jordan in 'Floyd Collins.' 7 Jonathan Groff performs his musical number on Keanu Reeves. CBS In April, Groff opened up about channeling Bobby Darin in the musical. 'I was completely taken by Bobby's primal ferocity, even on these old black-and-white clips of him performing,' he told Vogue at the time. 'There was a real presence and passion. This wasn't just a rock-and-roll guy or a crooner singing songs. There was real connection in his performance style.' 'I knew I wanted to start the show as myself and break the fourth wall with the audience to create that connection that Bobby was really famous for—the vibe that we're all here today, in this present moment, and anything can happen,' Groff added about the musical. 'I'm trying to evoke this real love affair between performer and audience, and that's where the conceit of the show came from and continues to live.' 7 Jonathan Groff and Keanu Reeves at the 2025 Tony Awards. CBS The Broadway vet also did a deep dive into Darin's performances on YouTube, and one in particular helped him capture the spirit of the singer. 'There's a clip of him singing 'Once Upon a Time' that I remember watching on that night, and I can't even say 'acting,' because it's not like he was acting, but it was so deeply felt,' Groff explained to the outlet. 'He was not singing a song on a TV show; he was communicating something really deep, and watching that come through was really amazing.' 'Then, in the later years, on his TV specials, he would do these duets with women, with Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark, and they would sit on stools and sing with their faces so close to each other. He was so intimate and present. I remember being really pulled in by that.' 7 Keanu Reeves reacts to Jonathan Groff's performance. CBS 7 Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves speak onstage during The 78th Annual Tony Awards. Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Reeves, meanwhile, surprised fans when he and Alex Winter announced they are set to star in a upcoming revival of Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot.' Winter, 59, told People on the red carpet that he and Reeves 'wanted to work together' again after starring in the iconic 'Bill & Ted' films. The actor added they have 'known each other a very long time,' which works for 'a play about two people who have known each other a very long time. … And Keanu had this crazy, inspired idea that suddenly turned into reality, for both of us.' 7 Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Reeves' Broadway debut will see him portraying Estragon, while Winter, who starred in the stage production of 'The King and I' in 1977 and then in 'Peter Pan' in 1979, is taking on Vladimir. 'I think every time the play is done, it's different, because of who's playing it,' Winter explained. 'It's very, very personal, and so we're bringing ourselves to it.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
BET Awards 2025: Where to watch, host, performers, nominations
The BET Awards, also known as "Culture's Biggest Night," will bring the most prestigious Black artists and entertainers in one room tonight. The show is expected to have big moments, performances, and a nostalgic reunion. Here's what we know about the BET Awards 2025: The 2025 "BET Awards" will premiere live on Monday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET. According to a spokesperson, the show will air on several channels, including BET, MTV, MTV2, NAN, Pop, Logo, CMT, and Paramount Network. The Red Carpet pre-show with hosts Terrence J and Pretty Vee begins at 6 p.m. ET. Comedian and movie star Kevin Hart is the host for the 2025 BET Awards. In the teaser, Hart said he plans to take the show "to a new level." Teyana Taylor GloRilla Leon Thomas Playboi Carti Lil Wayne 106 & Park' reunion: Here's what we know about the 25th anniversary at the 2025 BET Awards Rap emcee Kendrick Lamar has a whopping 10 nominations, including for "Album of the Year" for his latest album "GNX." Doechii, nominated six times, is a contender in the same category for her mixtape "Alligator Bites Never Heal." The rapper is also up for "Video of the Year" and "Viewer's Choice Award" for her hit song, "Denial is a River." Drake is also nominated for six awards, gaining nods for "Best Male R&B/Pop Artist" and "Best Male Hip Hop Artist." Future and Glorilla were also nominated for the same number of awards. Kendrick Lamar: 10 GloRilla: 6 Future: 6 Drake: 6 Doechii: 6 BET's "Ultimate Icon Award" acknowledges industry powerhouses for "their decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact," per a press release. This year's recipients include: Jamie Foxx Mariah Carey Snoop Dogg Kirk Franklin The former hosts of the early 2000s television staple will return to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary at the 2025 BET Awards, according to a May 6 press release. The reunion will feature performances from hip-hop and R&B acts whose music videos kept viewers dancing in their living rooms after school. Among them are Mr. 106 & Park himself, Bow Wow, T.I., B2K, Amerie, Jim Jones, Keyshia Cole, and Mya. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: BET Awards 2025: Date, host, time, how to watch