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Barack Obama Is a Proud Dad of 2 — Look through 11 of His Most Powerful Quotes about Fatherhood

Bettina Dizon
Dec 12, 2020
10:20 A.M.

Barack Obama is a doting dad to two beautiful girls, Sasha and Malia, who turned out to be wonderful young adults.

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At the young age of two, Barack Obama's father left him, his mother, and his sister to fend for themselves. This left the former president with only letters and stories as memories to hold on to.

He grew up with a father's absence and later saw how the lack of guidance from a dad affected the way boys turned and matured into men.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Sasha Obama sit in a hotel room in November 2, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Sasha Obama sit in a hotel room in November 2, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images

Throughout his presidency and time in the government, Obama has shared many wonderful insights about fatherhood. One of them include:

"As fathers, we need to be involved in our children's lives not just when it's convenient or easy, and not just when they're doing well -- but when it's difficult and thankless, and they're struggling."

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ON BEING GOOD EXAMPLES

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He has also advocated the importance of the presence of good role models, educators, and protectors of their kids. According to him:

"Every father bears a fundamental obligation to do right by their children."

 Barack Obama and Sasha Obama at the White House in August 23, 2015 in Washington, D.C. The first family was returning from vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. | Source: Getty Images

Barack Obama and Sasha Obama at the White House in August 23, 2015 in Washington, D.C. The first family was returning from vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. | Source: Getty Images

ON INSTILLING VALUES

Obama also saw the importance of instilling a mindset in kids that gives "glory to achievement, self-respect, and hard work," above all else. He added:

"It's up to us to set these high expectations."

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, and Sasha Obama pose for a family portrait with their pets Bo and Sunny in the Rose Garden of the White House on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, and Sasha Obama pose for a family portrait with their pets Bo and Sunny in the Rose Garden of the White House on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images

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ON RAISING DAUGHTERS

When it came to raising his daughters, Obama knew the importance of teaching them self-worth, respect, and courage. He said:

"It's up to us to say to our daughters, don't ever let images on TV tell you what you are worth."

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ON BEING HUMBLE

It is essential to teach children how their words influence their peers, while also speaking loudly about their personality. Obama said:

"You're not strong by putting other people down -- you're strong by lifting them up."

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ON BEING EDUCATED

Additionally, the proud girl dad knows that it is a father's responsibility to instill virtures that help kids want to learn. He shared:

"Our first responsibility, is instilling a sense of learning, a sense of a love of learning in our kids."

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By learning, they broaden their knowledge and see limitless possibilities and opportunities -- just like how Obama reached the seat of presidency and made history as the first black Chief of State. He said:

"Dream without limit and reach for those goals"

Barack Obama during a speech at a dinner at the Orangerie at Schloss Charlottenburg palace on June 19, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images

Barack Obama during a speech at a dinner at the Orangerie at Schloss Charlottenburg palace on June 19, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images

ON SPENDING QUALITY TIME

But most of all, it is essential to have quality time with children and let them know that they are at the top priority. According to Obama:

"That's what being a parent is all about -- those precious moments with our children that fill us with pride and excitement for their future."

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Children also need to feel important and cared for, no matter what they do or who they chose to be. The former president said:

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"Above all, children need our unconditional love."

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ON BEING A DAD

The weight of being a family patriarch comes with pressure on filling the shoes of a good parent and raising a well-rounded child, but it is not a race to perfection. He admitted:

"I'm still practicing; I'm still learning, still getting corrected in terms of how to be a fine husband and a good father."

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A GREAT FATHER

The former president's wife, Michelle Obama, previously commended him for being a great dad and loving their girls unconditionally during a Father's Day Instagram tribute.

Certainly, parenting is no easy job, but Obama seems to have done pretty well, according to his wife. The father-of-two said:

"What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child -- it's the courage to raise one."

Obama may no longer be sitting as the highest member of state, but he is still, in many ways, showing fathers all over the nation how to lead with love and by example.

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