Sasha And Malia Growing Up Before America’s Eyes

Sasha and Malia strolled onto stage with their father, the newly re-elected president, looking nothing like the little girls who accompanied Barack Obama in 2008.

In just four years, Sasha and Malia Obama had grown considerably, and America was able to take notice of that on the nation’s biggest stage on Election Night.

The girls, now 11 and 14 respectively, have grown up in the spotlight while remaining private, the Today show Moms blog noted:

“Our surprise at how the girls have grown into young women is some evidence that Michelle and Barack have succeeded at their stated goal of keeping them out of the spotlight. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell noted that the mainstream press has been good about honoring their privacy — the girls do normal things like go out to movies with their friends in D.C. without worrying about paparrazzi.”

During the campaign, mom Michelle Obama told an interviewer that she keeps Sasha and Malia off Facebook to maintain their privacy. While they are protective, Michelle and Barack also keep a close relationship with their daughters, spending time together and playing with the family dog, Bo.

Perhaps the images of Sasha and Malia on stage, looking so grown up, resonated with Americans for personal reasons, the Today show Moms blog noted:

“For all parents, the photos of Sasha and Malia are a reminder of how all of our own kids are growing up, probably faster than we realize. Day to day, you don’t see it, but you look up and it’s four years later and your little girl is a teenager, or your baby’s headed off to college. And hopefully, whether you’re the leader of the free world or just a regular parent, when that day comes, you’ve given them all the love and wisdom they need to make their own way in life. It’s true what they say, they days are long but the years are short.”

During his acceptance speech after Election Night results showed him a winner, Barack Obama made sure to give thanks to his growing daughters, The Washington Post noted.

“I’m so proud of you guys,” Obama told his daughters. “Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes, you’re growing up to become two strong, smart, beautiful young women.”