Living in a Cocoon

On January 20, 2009, Malia and Sasha Obama will move into the Whitehouse - essentially a cocoon. For the first time since the Kennedy's there will be two children romping the grounds. Gone are the days of carefree playing or hide-and-seek; Sasha and Malia will now and forever be under the watchful eye of bodyguards and Secret Service Agents. In many aspects they will be living in a cocoon, sheltered from the outside world.

Even their education is a publicly discussed issue. The Obama's have decisions to make about school - public or private. Past presidents have gone in both directions. President Carter sent his daughter Amy to public school; Chelsea Clinton, daughter of President Clinton, went to Sidwell Private School; and Jacqueline Kennedy set up a classroom in the White House for Caroline's first grade.

No matter what they choose, the choice will be scrutinized by the media. Should the Obama's choose to send the girls to private school they are bound to be accused of turning their back on public education. Should they choose to send them to public school there will be some who think they should be in a private school. The decision of where to send Sasha and Malia to school should be a personal decision, just as it is a personal decision for millions of Americans. There are many middle income- average-Joe families that choose private schools just as there are many wealthy families who choose public education.

No matter where the girls go to school, Sasha and Malia are sure to discover just how different their life has become. These little girls, ages 10 and 7, are no different than other children. They want to play sports, sing in the choir, and romp around in the yard- now; however, they will have to do so under the watchful eyes of security.

One can only imagine a conversation about overnight parties. Mrs. Obama would say "sure sweetie but first their parents have to pass a background check". While hopefully it isn't as serious as that, it is certain that there will be some type of checking before strangers are allowed to stay in the White House.

Even the most mundane of activities will now be a security risk. Going through the local drive-thru for a kids meal or an outing at the local skating rink will no longer be as simple as 'let's go girls'. Once the girls have established friends that are allowed to come to the White House there many activities available without having to leave the grounds; a movie theater, bowling alley, tennis court, swimming pool and of course exploration of the grounds all waiting to keep the girls entertained.

Aside from getting used to having security guards following them around every day, Sasha and Malia will have to become accustomed to having the media report on every aspect of their life. As we have already seen with the announcement that they will be getting a puppy, nothing is beyond reporting in the news.

Mrs. Obama will have to continue to be diligent in keeping them as sheltered as possible from the media. At the same time she will also have to teach them that the media is not always fair and can be very biased in what it reports. Sasha and Malia will have to learn to become as immune as they can to media scrutiny.

Growing up in the Whitehouse will be like a fairytale for the girls. They will meet dignitaries, royalty and celebrities and have the world at their fingertips in many aspects. But, like all things, these perks come at a price. Sasha and Malia's price will be the cocoon they live in - it is Mr. and Mrs. Obama's responsibility to make sure the cocoon grows as the girls do so that when they emerge they are beautiful butterflies.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/07/first.kids/

http://www.whitehousehistory.org/04/subs/activities_02/d04.html