Michelle Obama said she does not miss having her adult daughters living at home, explaining that she values their independence and her own schedule. The comments prompted criticism from some conservative commentators, who interpreted them as resentment towards motherhood, while Obama stressed that she loves her daughters and was due to see them for dinner.

Obama contrasted her reaction to her daughters leaving for university with Barack Obama’s, saying he cried while she welcomed the change and no longer worried about their whereabouts on Friday nights. She said she had already spent extensive quality time raising Malia and Sasha, and noted that both parents deliberately prioritised time with them during Barack Obama’s eight years as president.