Michelle Obama is facing criticism after saying she does not miss having her adult daughters living at home during an appearance on Jon Stewartâs "IMO" podcast.
According to Fox News, the former first lady commented Wednesday while Stewart was discussing how much meaning and structure he found in the daily responsibilities of parenting.
When he asked whether she missed having that period of life, Obama initially gave a brief response.
"Iâm good," Obama said.
Elizabeth Barcohana, a California Republican Party delegate and mother, told Fox News Digital that Obama's remarks could be interpreted as expressing resentment toward motherhood.
"There is a difference between a mother expressing exhaustion from the demands of motherhood â which is real and relatable â and expressing resentment," Barcohana said.
"Resentment is what appears to come through in Michelle Obamaâs remarks," she added, arguing that the sentiment was particularly difficult to hear amid a broader national discussion about motherhood.
Obama later clarified that her comments were not about a lack of love for daughters Malia and Sasha, who are now adults. She said she was looking forward to seeing them for dinner that evening.
"I donât miss them. I don't. I love them. Iâm going to see them tonight for dinner. I love them," Obama said.
She then contrasted her reaction to Barack Obama's response when their daughters left for college.
"But Barack cried when they went to college. I was like, âBye, little â goodbye.â Now I ⌠now Friday nights arenât wrecked with terror and fear about, âWhere are you? Where are you?â" she said.
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh criticized Obama's remarks, arguing that her family's wealth and resources made the challenges of parenting different from those faced by many other parents.
Political commentator Link Lauren also attacked Obama over the comments, characterizing her discussion of family life as another example of complaints about her personal circumstances.
Obama, however, said her reaction to an empty nest was tied to enjoying the independence that came after years of raising her daughters.
"I love my schedule. I have a great schedule, and itâs all mine," she said. "I mean, Iâve had so much quality time with my children. So much. Yeah, yeah. I know them inside and out."
Obama has previously spoken positively about the effort she and Barack Obama made to prioritize their daughters during his presidency.
"It was important for both of us, for me and Barack, to carve out that time in those eight years when our girls were in their formative years," she said last year.