President Obama is living life on the edge. The Commander-in-Chief tells Jenna Bush Hager of TODAY that he is right on the fringe of being one of the most embarrassing fathers this nation has seen.
“I think they would say that I am good, fun dad who teeters on the edge of being embarrassing sometimes,” says the President. “As Malia put it, I’m right on the edge but I usually stay on the right side of the edge of being funny rather than totally humiliating to them.”
As the daughter of former President George W. Bush, Jenna knows a little something about having a father who is the leader of the Free World. The NBC news correspondent even gave Sasha and Malia a few tips before leaving the White House in 2008. “Surround yourself with loyal friends. They’ll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history,” advised Jenna and her twin sister Barbara. “Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.”
Fast forward five years, and the Obama girls are following Jenna and Barbara’s words of wisdom to the letter. “They don’t take this for granted,” explains President Obama. “I think they understand that this is a moment in time… overall, I think they’re really thriving.”
The nation has watched as Sasha and Malia have grown from beautiful little girls to elegant young women. Malia will celebrate her sixteenth birthday on July 4, 2014.
