Latest news with #Parents
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
Michelle Obama is still 'not letting up' about kids' nutrition
Michelle Obama isn't giving up on her yearslong goals when it comes to kids' health. Over 15 years since she first championed new nutrition standards for student lunches, the former first lady said that she's not "letting up any time soon" on pushing for healthier habits. In a Parents Magazine interview published July 22, Obama, 61, said that "we've simply got to make it easier for families to raise healthier kids. We need to make the healthy option the easy option." "We've got to make it easy for parents to afford − and cook with − fresh ingredients," Obama continued. "We've got to make it easy for kids to get some exercise during the school day. We've got to make it easy for everybody to hydrate themselves without loading up on sugar." Michelle Obama: 'Everyone would know' if she divorced Barack Obama: 'I'm not a martyr' Obama −who said that "children's health is about so much more than our kids" − told Parents that "what's available in our stores, what's on the menu in schools, whether or not our kids can play safely at the playground, it all ladders up to the wellbeing of our families and communities." "It's a challenge I've tackled from a variety of ways for more than a decade and a half. And I'm not letting up any time soon," she added. Obama got candid for the interview as Parents honors her with its Next Gen Awards, which applauds the work of 40 "changemakers" that have "made life better for kids and families this year." When did Michelle Obama start advocating for school lunch changes? Obama has advocated for healthier nutrition for children since the first term of her husband and former President Barack Obama, who took office in 2009. He signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act into law in 2010 and Michelle Obama supported the idea to improve the nutrition of school lunches and farm-to-school programs. During her husband's second term in 2014, she sparred with some congressional Republicans, who believed the school lunch nutrition issue was local versus federal. Michelle Obama discusses parenting daughters Malia and Sasha in the White House In the Parents interview, Michelle Obama, mom to Malia Ann, 27, and 24-year-old Sasha Obama, also got candid about parenting, telling the outlet that she and former President Obama, 63, "did everything we could to give our girls as normal of a life as possible" while they were growing up. "When we were at the White House, we made sure they were doing things like making their beds every morning and as they got older, getting summer jobs," she added. A post shared by Parents (@parents) Michelle Obama reveals daughter Malia Obama's name change The "IMO" podcast cohost said that her daughters' lives "slowly began to inch a little closer toward normalcy," but their "extraordinary" circumstances have "forced them to learn critical skills like discipline, flexibility, and determination to go after what they really wanted." Now, Malia Ann is pursuing a film career in Hollywood and recently helmed a 2023 short film "The Heart" which she wrote and directed. The Obamas celebrated the birthday of their youngest daughter Sasha, a University of Southern California grad, last month. Contributing: David Jackson, Christine Rushton
Malaysian Reserve
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
PARENTS Announces First-Ever Next Gen Awards
Michelle Obama, Kylie Kelce, Serena Williams and more honored for helping families and children thrive NEW YORK, July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, PARENTS announced the 2025 Next Gen Awards. The inaugural awards program recognizes 40 inspirational advocates, innovators, thought leaders and influencers who are making a positive impact on families and children, uplifting their communities and championing the next generation. 'PARENTS is so proud to celebrate our Next Gen Award winners for their deep commitment to helping families thrive,' said Kaity Velez, editorial director, PARENTS. 'These 40 individuals represent the many facets of family life and the varied ways support can make a difference, all while demonstrating many of our brand's core values such as compassion, empathy, kindness, and trust.' To select this year's nominees, PARENTS editors and an expert panel of judges researched and reviewed individuals who demonstrated broad reach and a clear dedication to helping kids and families flourish. After reviewing over 400 nominees, 40 winners were selected based on their impact, public presence, and active efforts to create change through non-profit organizations, media, community-based programs and newly developed resources that support families everywhere. The list consists of a diverse group of leaders and advocates across fields including education, innovation, mental health, entertainment and more. The Next Gen Awards 2025 judges include: Dylan Dreyer, co-anchor of the 3rd Hour of TODAY and NBC News meteorologist, Dr. Mona Amin, board-certified general pediatrician, Paige Ballenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C,, Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, pediatric psychologist, Kaity Velez, editorial director, PARENTS, Celeste Little, senior editor, PARENTS and Grace Bastidas, parenting journalist. Winners include: Michelle Obama, former First Lady, best-selling author, host of 'IMO' and founder of the Girls Opportunity Alliance at the Obama Foundation; Kylie Kelce, former athlete and host of 'Not Gonna Lie'; Serena Williams, 23-time Tennis Grand Slam Champion and women's rights and sports advocate, among many others; Joe Brumm, creator of Bluey, Jon Batiste, Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter and youth music advocate and Dr. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of 'The Anxious Generation'. To learn more about the PARENTS Next Gen Awards and read about the full list of this year's winners, visit here. About Parents Parents, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, has provided millions of caregivers with trustworthy advice and a supportive community as they raise the next generation of confident and compassionate kids. Parents' team of editors, writers, and experts are by your side as a current and practical source of information for the big life decisions and memory making moments in the constantly evolving scope of parenthood. Parents is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
The Hill
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Michelle Obama urges authenticity on social media: Don't be afraid to ‘expose' the ‘messy or more complicated bits'
Michelle Obama says at this point in her life, she's learning to embrace the 'messy' and 'more complicated' parts of life, rather than project an image of perfection. 'Every time we pick up our phones, we see images of families that just look too perfect,' the former first lady said in an interview with Parents magazine for its Next Gen Awards issue released Tuesday. 'It makes you think everyone is doing better than you,' said Obama, who shares 27-year-old daughter Malia and 24-year-old Sasha with former President Obama. 'And that's just not reflective of reality,' she added. 'It's so easy for us to curl up into this protective instinct and not talk about the messy or more complicated bits of our lives,' Obama, who launched her 'IMO' podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson, in March, told the magazine. 'It can feel dangerous to expose those imperfect parts of ourselves. But over the years, I have learned that it's really the opposite,' she said. The 'Becoming' author offered some words of encouragement for parents, saying, 'Each of us has our own style when it comes to raising kids.' 'So if you're doing something different than your friends and neighbors, that's OK,' Obama, 61, said. 'Just like our kids, we're going to have times where we succeed and times when we fail. That's a part of the journey. We have to recognize that, and give ourselves — and each other — a little grace along the way,' she said. 'When we realize that and learn each other's stories, it makes living life, as well as raising kids, so much easier.'
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Obama Explains Why Embracing Life's 'Messy' Parts Makes You a Better Parent
The former first lady and Parents Next Gen winner has always been a staunch advocate for children's health and wellness. As a podcast host, she's laying it all on the table, helping us to raise healthier, happier kids. Many of us were first introduced to Michelle Obama on the national stage, as a successful attorney who'd worked in higher education and health care and the mother of two elementary school-aged daughters. Her husband Barack Obama's meteoric rise to the presidency proved her family was capable of living in the spotlight. Still, some questioned if she'd be able to weather the inevitable scrutiny that would come with raising the very first Black children to live in the White House and the youngest since the Kennedys. Spoiler: She and Malia Obama have grown to be responsible, resilient, independent adults, and it's become incredibly clear that Michelle Obama was up to the task of motherhood under a microscope—and many other initiatives in service of children. From her health care and education advocacy to children's television production and a new podcast that further sharpens the picture of her own family, Michelle Obama is a caregiving powerhouse. That commitment to helping us grow our own healthy, happy kids is what makes Michelle Obama a clear choice for the Parents 2025 Next Gen Awards.'Barack and I did everything we could to give our girls as normal of a life as possible. When we were at the White House, we made sure they were doing things like making their beds every morning and as they got older, getting summer jobs,' Michelle Obama said in an exclusive interview with Parents. She says her parenting style has been a mix of supporting her daughters and holding them accountable. She wanted to raise children who knew how to think for themselves, even in the most extraordinary circumstances.'Once we left the White House, their lives slowly began to inch a little closer toward normalcy,' she says. 'But the truth is, their circumstances have been extraordinary in so many ways—and that forced them to learn critical skills like discipline, flexibility, and determination to go after what they really wanted.'Michelle Obama was laser-focused on instilling the value of hard work and accountability in her daughters. She was intent on making their lives as normal and authentic as possible. An Authentic Voice Since leaving the White House, Michelle Obama seems to have rejected the narrow expectations of the old guard in favor of her own values; she's been creative and has opened up about family life—parenting, marriage, family values, and even her own childhood—in a way few former First Ladies have before. On IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, a podcast she hosts with her older brother Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama is candid about navigating relationships, raising kids, and a number of other hard topics.'It's so easy for us to curl up into this protective instinct and not talk about the messy or more complicated bits of our lives. It can feel dangerous to expose those imperfect parts of ourselves. But over the years, I have learned that it's really the opposite,' Michelle Obama says that authentically telling her own story helps to highlight the commonalities that make life simpler for all of us. On IMO, she's shared memories of how her mother favored Craig and learning to stand up for herself growing up in Chicago. 'When we realize that and learn each other's stories, it makes living life, as well as raising kids, so much easier,' says Michelle Obama. 'As parents, we're all going through similar things. And some of us have questions that others have the answers to. But we're not going to get those answers without having the courage to put ourselves out there.' She says modern parents are often overwhelmed by anxiety around 'getting it right,' and the kind of competition social media sparks only exacerbates that. 'Every time we pick up our phones, we see images of families that just look too perfect. It makes you think everyone is doing better than you. And that's just not reflective of reality,' she to someone who has 'done it all' talk about the challenges in her own journey helps struggling parents untangle some of that anxiety.'Each of us has our own style when it comes to raising kids. So if you're doing something different than your friends and neighbors, that's OK,' says Michelle Obama. 'Just like our kids, we're going to have times where we succeed and times when we fail. That's a part of the journey. We have to recognize that, and give ourselves—and each other—a little grace along the way.' Making Life Easier for Parents The truth is, Michelle Obama has always been dedicated to our wellness. During her time in the White House, she championed the Let's Move! Initiative, a public health campaign designed to combat childhood obesity through government partnerships with businesses and philanthropic organizationsSince then, she's co-executive produced Waffles & Mochi, a show that demystifies healthy food and cooking for children, and founded PLEZi Nutrition, a drink company that makes beverages without added sugar. She says children's health should be a community effort.'Children's health is about so much more than our kids. It's about all of us,' she says. 'What's available in our stores, what's on the menu in schools, whether or not our kids can play safely at the playground, it all ladders up to the well-being of our families and communities.' Michelle Obama believes a healthier nation starts with the littlest members of our families.'We've simply got to make it easier for families to raise healthier kids. We need to make the healthy option the easy option. We've got to make it easy for parents to afford—and cook with—fresh ingredients. We've got to make it easy for kids to get some exercise during the school day,' she says. 'We've got to make it easy for everybody to hydrate themselves without loading up on sugar. It's a challenge I've tackled from a variety of ways for more than a decade and a half. And I'm not letting up any time soon.' An Empty Nester When most of us met Michelle Obama 20 years ago, she was a person parenting in the public eye. Now, she's a woman who's sharing the lessons she learned from facing the criticism of the political machine and coming out of the other side—with her principles, commitment to wellness, and her family intact.'And now here we are. My girls are both in their 20s. And while they know that even now, they are under more scrutiny than others their age, they've learned to roll with the punches,' says Michelle Obama. 'I'm always so impressed by how they handle it—with grace, resolve, and charm. These days, more than anything, I can't wait to see how they surprise us next.' Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Kylie Kelce Isn't Afraid to Tell the Truth About Motherhood
With four girls under 5, celebrity mom and "Not Gonna Lie" host Kylie Kelce says she's "not thriving, but surviving." Still, that doesn't stop her from advocating for children in need and making moms like herself feel seen. That's why she's a Parents Next Gen winner. Kylie Kelce's unapologetic candor has helped her gain a nod of approval from millions of parents around the country. Whether it's opening up about the realities of postpartum, supporting an unconventional parenting style, or her frustration with people asking if she's going to 'keep trying for a boy,' Kelce is all about keeping it real on her Wave Original series Not Gonna Lie. Her podcast, which features relatable conversations with high-profile guests, hit No.1 on the Spotify and Apple charts shortly after its release in 2024, for all the right reasons. 'I'm still not sure why I have a social media presence or following, but I have said a number of times that if people are going to talk about me, they might as well talk about something meaningful,' Kelce, who has more than 2.6 million followers on Instagram, tells Parents in an exclusive interview. Her frankness is something her husband, retired NFL Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce, has praised, saying on the Conversation with Cam podcast that 'she's not afraid to be who she is and does not feel pressure to be something that she doesn't want to be.' It's one of the reasons why we love the mom of four and she's a Parents Next Gen winner. Another is her effort to push today's youth forward through her charity work and powerful messages. Helping Youth Thrive Kylie has been using her platform for good by partnering with organizations that are making positive change. In June 2025, the Kelces helped raise over $1 million during a fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Foundation, which they've been involved with since its 2019 inception. The foundation is dedicated to autism care and research, while offering safe spaces for autistic children. The famous mom is also actively involved in (Be)Philly, a nonprofit aiming to improve the lives of Philadelphia's youth, which her husband established in 2022. The organization raises money through fundraising and by selling its Underdog Apparel merchandise to provide resources and opportunities to youth in the city. But her impact spreads beyond her Philadelphia hometown. She's an advocate for body positivity and aims to help young girls everywhere build confidence, especially in sports, through her partnership with Dove. Kylie, who played field hockey throughout high school and college, knows firsthand the struggles many girls face to feel comfortable in their own skin. 'I was 5 foot 10 going into high school, which was taller than most of the boys I was in school with,' she previously told Parents. 'I stuck out like a sore thumb.' Now, she's all about promoting self-confidence. She also imparts these lessons as a varsity field hockey coach at Philadelphia's Lower Merion High School. Kylie's passion for creating opportunities for kids through sports and education stems from knowing what a difference they made in her own life. 'I had the privilege of those experiences when I was growing up and I want to encourage other young girls to have the positive life-shaping experience I did,' she explains. Her work is critical as half of teen girls drop out of sports because of low body confidence, according to Dove and Nike research. Another reason for losing interest in sports, according to the Women's Sports Foundation, is a lack of confident, strong female athletic role models. Kylie's ultimate goal would be 'equal opportunity for youth,' but in the meantime, she is pushing to touch as many lives as she can. 'Any positive impact is substantial,' she says. 'Even if a few girls end up sticking with a sport because they feel confident in their body enough to do so, or if a couple kids get involved in a sport that they had never tried before, that's a win.' Raising Four Little Changemakers Kylie's work continues at home with her and Jason's four girls—Wyatt Elizabeth, 5, Elliotte Ray, 4, Bennett Llewellyn, 2, and Finnley, 4 months. 'I want our kids to be loving, considerate, kind human beings so trying to model that, but doing it with firm boundaries,' she says. 'We try to give back to our community and stay involved in our community and hope that modeling back will show the kids to give back themselves.' She also hopes that she's setting an example for them to one day use their voices to make change in whatever causes they feel passionate about. Her method? 'By trying to instill confidence in them that allows them to speak up against things that they believe are wrong, or stand up for themselves and others,' she explains. Kylie previously told Parents that she helps build their confidence by paying attention to how she speaks about herself in front of them and always making sure to praise their abilities. Of course, it's not always easy. And Kylie doesn't shy away from being honest about the ups and downs of motherhood. 'We're not thriving, we're surviving,' she says. 'We have four kids under the age of 5.' It can be trickier when you're a parent in the public eye. But she and Jason, who famously met on Tinder and wed in 2018, make it a point to stay grounded despite their fame and busy schedules. 'We actually parent our kids,' she says. 'We keep a small circle of people that help us care for or interact with our kids. That provides us the opportunity to be in the thick of it and stay surrounded by family.' Another parenting tool she leans on is humor—as evidenced on her podcast. 'As parents, sometimes if you don't laugh, you'll cry,' she says. 'So, might as well get some laughs out of a crazy day.' Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
