In fact, in the last job I had before coming to the White House - I remember this clearly - I was on maternity leave with Sasha, still trying to figure out what to do with my life, and I got a call for an interview for this position, a senior position at the hospitals. And I thought, okay, here we go. So I had to scramble to look for babysitting, and couldn't find one.

Every day, through engagement in the arts, our children learn to open their imagination, to dream just a little bigger and to strive every day to reach those dreams.

People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions.

We as parents are our children's first and best role models, and this is particularly true when it comes to their health. ...We can't lie around on the couch eating French fries and candy bars and expect our kids to eat carrots and run around the block.

I think any family would, any mother would their children.

No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.

We've got a responsibility to live up to the legacy of those who came before us by doing all that we can to help those who come after us.