President Obama on how not having a father in his life has made him a better one.

President Obama  wrote a letter in this issue of People Magazine in celebration of Fathers' Day. The President not only runs the free world but is very much so an active parent in his daughters' Sasha & Malia's lives. Its not odd at all to hear about him at a game or just spending QT with them, which is SOoooo important.

Ive had various conversations with parents who lacked a father figure in their lives. They either feel like it has helped them or hindered them in the way that they parent. In my opinion it should only help.. as our President outlines in his letter.. peep it after the juuuuump! 

I grew up without a father around. I have certain memories of him taking me to my first jazz concert and giving me my first basketball as a Christmas present. But he left when I was two years old.


And even though my sister and I were lucky enough to be raised by a wonderful mother and caring grandparents, I always felt his absence and wondered what it would have been like if he had been a greater presence in my life. I still do. It is perhaps for this reason that fatherhood is so important to me, and why I've tried so hard to be there for my own children.

That's not to say I've always been a perfect dad. I haven't. When Malia and Sasha were younger, work kept me away from home more than it should have. At times, the burden of raising our two daughters has fallen too heavily on Michelle. During the campaign, not a day went by that I didn't wish I could spend more time with the family I love more than anything else in the world.

But through my own experiences, and my continued efforts to be a better father, I have learned something over the years about what children need most from their parents.

Read the full essay in the issue of People on stands Friday!