Here's some interesting thoughts on parenting more on the side of Fatherhood. Obama was heavily criticized for some of these quotes by members of his own party but give credit where credit is due.
“What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child — it’s the courage to raise one.” ―
Father’s Day speech, Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, 2008
“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. That is when they need us most.” ―
Op-ed in Parade magazine, 2009
“We need to show our kids that you’re not strong by putting other people down — you’re strong by lifting them up. That’s our responsibility as fathers.”
― Father’s Day speech, Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, 2008
“It’s up to us to say to our daughters, don’t ever let images on TV tell you what you are worth, because I expect you to dream without limit and reach for those goals.” ―
Father’s Day speech, Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, 2008
“It’s up to us to tell our sons, those songs on the radio may glorify violence, but in my house we give glory to achievement, self-respect and hard work. It’s up to us to set these high expectations. And that means meeting those expectations ourselves. That means setting examples of excellence in our own lives.” ―
Father’s Day speech, Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, 2008
“Michelle and I know that our first job, our first responsibility, is instilling a sense of learning, a sense of a love of learning in our kids. And so there are no shortcuts there; we have to do that job. And we can’t just blame teachers and schools if we’re not instilling that commitment, that dedication to learning, in our kids.” ―
Remarks on No Child Left Behind flexibility, 2011
“I’m still practicing, I’m still learning, still getting corrected in terms of how to be a fine husband and a good father. But I will tell you this: Everything else is unfulfilled if we fail at family, if we fail at that responsibility.”
"There were times in my youth, I wrongly blamed my own failings as just another example of the world trying to keep a black man down. We've got no time for excuses — not because the bitter legacies of slavery and segregation have vanished entirely; they haven't. It's just that in today's hyperconnected, hypercompetitive world, with a billion young people from China and India and Brazil entering the global workforce alongside you, nobody is going to give you anything you haven't earned."
―
Morehouse College Commencement speech, 2013
“Whether biological, foster, or adoptive, they teach us through the encouragement they give, the questions they answer, the limits they set, and the strength they show in the face of difficulty and hardship.” ―
Father’s Day proclamation , 2012
“Every father bears a fundamental obligation to do right by their children.” ―
Father’s Day proclamation, 2012
“In the end, 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, the chances we have to set an example or offer a piece of advice, the opportunities to just be there and show them that we love them.” ―
Father’s Day address, 2011
“Above all, children need our unconditional love — whether they succeed or make mistakes; when life is easy and when life is tough.” ―
Father’s Day address , 2011