Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened up about his roles as both a father and a son in the latest issue of Men's Health.
The Huffington Post prints excerpts from the senator's interview, in which he explains that coming to terms with his late father's absence has contributed to his parenting skills and made him a "pretty good dad."
When Obama was two years old, his father left the family and returned to his native Kenya. The two would meet only one more time before the elder Obama's death.
Discussing the challenges of balancing a demanding political career with family, Obama admits that he has made "tradeoffs" and "sacrifices."
"You know, a lot of the best moments of family life happen spontaneously," he says. "If you have less time to devote to them, there are fewer of those moments."
The senator tells the magazine that he and his wife have tried to create "a zone of normalcy" that separates his two daughters - 10-year-old Malia and seven-year-old Sasha - from the political process.
"I have been able to transmit to them my absolute interest in them and my absolute love for them," Obama says.
IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Use, the information found on GreatDad.com, including that provided by experts in articles from our contributors and users, is a general educational aid. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider as soon as possible about any medical or health-related question. GreatDad LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by Forum members or found in article comments.