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The 4-year-old son of Supreme Court nominee, John Roberts,
doing the lambada during a press conference at the White House.
Looks like his mom's pretending she doesn't see him.
Of course, Judge Roberts is now being criticized for bringing his pre-schoolers to a late-night, formal event. But what parent hasn't done something similar?
While in Singapore last week, we were out all day with my in-laws. By the end, Stephen had clearly had enough and kept asking to go home. But the needs of the few do not outweigh the needs of many and I did my best to placate him. Nevertheless, he still had a couple of meltdowns that were contained using some strict lecturing (no spanking!) in a semi-quiet corner of the elevator lobby. We were exhausted by the time we wrapped up the day, but we still had a good time.
Carrie Devorah of Human Events, The National Conservative Weekly, wrote,
The judge reinforced--with his decision to bring pre-schoolers, 5-year-old Josephine and 4-year-old John, past their bedtime, into the media spotlight--that the laws of child rearing are as individual as common sense, telling as to where Roberts' priorities lie.
For PR purposes, Judge Roberts probably wanted to show off his smart wife and beautiful children. But I also think he wanted include his kids in one of the biggest events of his life. Being in the White House with the President of the United States saying wonderful things about their father will be an amazing memory for his kids.
Our life includes our kids. If it were up to some people, we'd maintain a strict separation between the world of adults and the world of children. What a cold and harsh world that would be. Thanks for injecting a bit of humanity and humor into our world, John Roberts, Jr.!
Pointer from Blogging Baby.
It's refreshing to see people highlight their children instead of hiding them away somewhere. If more parents brought their kids with them to functions, maybe more people planning these things would think of ways to accommodate little ones. There are so many things we'd enjoy doing, but would rather pass up than hire a stranger or impose on family to do a late-night non-kids function.
So what if it's PR, the kids will have that memory to cherish. Being included in the adult world is something kids hold precious. Some of my earliest memories are of those times when (contrary to the usual course of events) I got to be a part of something ~grownup~. heh. It's certainly better than having a closet full of memories of always being left behind.
Actually, she was probably standing there trying to WILL him to stop by projecting her thoughts ESP style "Stop it, Stop it, STOP it, STOP IT!! Oh My God STOP IT before you embarass us all!! You're KILLING your fathers political Career!! STOOOOOPPP!!"
I think it's cute, and what they didn't tell you in the articles was that after the press conference the president had Laura throw a big table cloth over one of the conference tables and they all played "Fort" with flashlights and pillows from the lincoln bedroom! ;)
Couldn't agree more! I think it's rather cute and ads some lightness to the ever seriousness of the political world! Of course, I wonder how the kid will be when he looks back 20 years from now! ;) he heh e...
I think the little White House Lambada was a real, HUMAN touch to the faces and the politics being celebrated.
To me, I think those two kids will have a memory that will last. And their dad is right in asking them along to share what must be one of the peak moments of his life. Isn't that what you do when you've finally acheived what you've been working on for a long time, share the experience with those you love best.
(Not to say that I don't treasure my evenings out with my hubby while the grandparents babysit.)