Michelle Obama admits she SPANKED her daughters
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has opened up about a very personal chapter in her parenting journey: spanking.
On a recent episode of her Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, the mom-of-two revealed that she had previously resorted to spanking her daughters - but ultimately changed her approach after realizing how it made her feel.
Michelle, who shares daughters Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, with husband and former U.S. President Barack Obama, spoke candidly with her brother, Craig Robinson, and guests Damon and Marlon Wayans about the moment she decided to stop using physical discipline.
'I felt silly,' the 61-year-old said. 'It took a couple of spankings for me to be like, yeah, you know what? I don't want to do this anymore.'
She described a moment of reflection that made her reconsider how she was showing up as a parent.
'I felt like, you know, this is a little kid,' she explained.
'And the fact that I can't think of any better way to get my point across than to smack somebody on the butt - I felt embarrassed.'
Obama's insisted that the remarks weren't meant to judge or shame other parents.
Instead, they reflected her personal growth and how her parenting style has evolved over time.
Michelle, known for her advocacy work and candid reflections on motherhood, acknowledged the complexities of discipline in today's world.
That said, she also made it clear she doesn't completely align with what some would call 'new-school parenting.'
'I want to be a proponent for reinstating some of the stuff that we had,' she said, referencing values from earlier generations.
While she may have moved away from physical punishment, she is still a firm believer in setting boundaries.
She used a humorous example to illustrate her point: 'When kids say, "I hate my mom," it's like, you better say that in your head, in your room,' she said with a laugh.
'You don't say that out loud.'
For Michelle, it is not about being strict for the sake of control - but rather about guiding children with clarity and consistency.
'Parents are too afraid to set those kinds of boundaries,' she said.
'And I think that's also part of the challenge that we're facing in this generation.'
Her comments sparked thoughtful conversation online, with many praising her honesty.
Some parents said they related to the feeling of frustration that can lead to spanking - and the internal reckoning that follows.
Throughout her public life, Michelle has often spoken about the highs and lows of parenting, always with a sense of humility and humor.
Her recent comments are another reminder that even high-profile figures navigate universal parenting dilemmas.
Michelle stated that the goal isn't perfection - it's learning, evolving, and doing the best you can for your children.
'We're all trying to figure it out,' she said. 'And sometimes that means admitting when something just doesn't feel right.'
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