The White House Would Be Cool

“We will do everything we can to keep life normal for our daughters throughout these four years,” say Barack and Michelle Obama agreeably.

Cinema, swimming pool, gym, tennis court, big garden, personnel of 100, ballroom, the kitchen serving exquisite meals. 132 rooms and 24 on the second floor for exclusive use by the presidential family. Sunny tv-room with glass roof overlooking Washington´s panorama. The Obamas are the fourth family since the beginning of the 20th century who, after the Roosevelts, Carters and Kennedys, are moving into the White House with small children. When the Carters moved in, a little tree-house was built for small Amy.

Michelle and Barack Obama also want to create a children-friendly area in the White House. The First Lady has already chosen interior decorator: Californian Michael Smith who is responsible for having had designed celebrities´ houses, among others those belonging to Cindy Crawford and Steven Spielberg. His main task is going to be the transformation of the private presidential areas from a museum-like place into an ordinary apartment. The first lady will choose the color of curtains and new furniture. The president, known for being a basketball lover, wishes to replace the bowling alley with a basketball court. The Obamas are planning to follow the example of the Kennedys who opened the White House for artists, poets and scientists.

However, the yellow school bus which was driving the 7-year old Sasha and 10-year old Malia, has already been replaced by a bulletproof car. “The uncles” from the Secret Service are guarding them at all times. Birthday parties and, the very popular among American kids, sleepovers will not be possible anymore without proceeding through metal detectors and security checks.

For the last months Michelle Obama has been underlining that her most important task in the White House would be the role of mom-in-chief, that means making sure that the girls do the homework, go to sleep at a decent time, keep in touch with their peers. Luckily, the first lady´s mother, Marian Robinson, whom the girls are strongly attached to, is moving into the White House. Being known for not standing publicity, she will be the most important guard of the girls´privacy.

Is it possible to keep life normal for the presidential family? It is, claims Ann Stock who worked for the Clintons. The 12-year old Chelsea Clinton was attending dance classes, doing homework in the White House, eating suppers with her parents and going to sleep.

“(Living in) the White House would be cool,” declared small, happily Sasha Obama in November.