Why Michelle Obama says she's 'so glad' she didn't have a son with husband Barack Obama

Michelle Obama joked she is "so glad" she didn't have a son during a conversation about the challenges of raising boys in the modern world.

The 61-year-old, made the comment during the latest episode of her podcast IMO which she co-hosts with brother Craig Robinson.

The siblings were joined by American radio host Angie Martinez and they were responding to a question sent in by a boy mum named Jessica when Michelle said: "I'm so glad I didn't have a boy.

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"Wooo! Because he would have been a Barack Obama ... no, I would have felt for him."

Jessica shared her concerns about the influence toxic masculinity was having on her son.

"I have daughters, and my daughters are encountering this, men and boys," the former US First Lady said.

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She then addressed Martinez and Robinson, both of whom have sons, asking what they are seeing "out there" in our young men.

The group referencing research showing boys and men have been suffering from an epidemic of "loneliness" for a number of reasons including the pandemic and technology, which may be contributing to the issues Jessica is seeing.

When Martinez explained she made an early decision her son would be responsible for his own morning routine and getting to school, Michelle commented she wanted "my young daughters with that young man".

Michelle's advice for boy mums was to "love your sons but raise them too".

"Raise him to be as strong as you know he's going to have to be," she explained.

She also added that boys need to be taught how to cope with "hardships and disappointments".

She said they need to be taught how to "communicate in a marriage and a listening father".

Michelle and Barack Obama are parents to two daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24.

Martinez shares son Niko Ruffin, 22, with musician Tamir Ruffin.

Robinson is father to four children, son Avery, 33, and daughter Leslie, 29, from his first marriage and sons Austin, 15, and Aaron, 13, from his second marriage.

Martinez was so impressed with Michelle's advice she commented she and Barack should have "thrown a boy in the mix" which is when Michelle joked about being "so glad" she didn't have a son.

Robinson joked that Michelle "borrowed our boys".

They then discussed the parenting load carried by mothers, agreeing equal effort is needed by both parents.

Robinson wrapped up the conversation by agreeing with his sister, that parents raising boys have to have "empathy" and ask "the questions" and then "you have to trust".

"You have to trust the process," he said.

Michelle previously spoke about her choice to stop at two children, during an episode of Kylie Kelce's podcast Not Gonna Lie in March 2025.

"I was like, I think I've been lucky with these two," Michelle said of Malia and Sasha. "Barack was like, 'We should have a third,' and I was like, 'Dude.'"

She said she joked with her husband about what a third child would be like after having a daughter who was "two good sleepers".

"You know, I'm thinking we're gonna get a crazy one," she said.

Michelle and Barack Obama celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary on October 3, 2024.

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At the time they shared joint social media posts to mark the occasion.

Michelle wrote: "32 action-packed years with my honey! Through it all, thank you for always having my back, being by my side, and finding ways to make me smile. I love you, @BarackObama."

Barack, 63, wrote: "Happy anniversary, @MichelleObama! 32 years together, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner and friend to go through life with."

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