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Barack: It was more just like making sure the same standards we set before we were in the public eye were maintained.
Michelle: Be considerate of how other people might feel, you know, empathize. Put yourself in the place of other people.
Barack: And just never think that you're better than anybody else. Or worse than anybody else.
Michelle: That's also one of the reasons why we don't campaign with them a lot. Because no matter what you do at a campaign setting, they are special, right? It's Fourth of July and everybody is singing "Happy Birthday" to Malia. ... And everybody loves the kids so they get special treatment. That's nice for a day or two, but they need to go back home, just so they realize that this isn't life.
Barack: Which is good when they're doing activities like soccer. Malia loves soccer, but she's still so tall and gangly compared to some of these little kids who are zipping around her, although she's getting better. The fact that she's not good at everything right away – and Sasha's not good at everything right away – means learning lessons about having to work hard at something and improve.
How are you preparing them for possible life in the White House?
Michelle: Slowly. We talk to them about it as they are curious. ... They ask about schools and making friends. ... Their anxiety has nothing to do with the White House; it has everything to do with what kids think about: "If I have to go to a new school, will I make friends and what about my old friendships?"
