The Obamas are packing up their boxes and getting ready for the big move. I’m sure Sasha and Malia have already picked out their rooms and Mom and Dad have made it clear that their daughters will earn their allowances.

I feel for them. Having to move kids mid-year is going to be tough. Moving from the campaign trail to the White House has to be surreal. What’s worse is that every parenting decision they will make for the rest of their lives will be scrutinized, analyzed, commented on, and blogged about in some way, shape or form. We thought Amy Carter and Chelsea Clinton had issues. They’ve fortunately come our relatively well-adjusted and articulate. I hope Malia and Sasha fare the scrutiny of the spotlight as well.

I feel for our new first parents. I get my share of unsolicited parenting advice, so let me give them just three pieces and I’ll let it be (un, yeah right!):

1. Accept the fact that no matter what parenting decisions you make, you’ll probably look back on about half of them and think you probably would have done things differently.

2. Barrack, please stop smoking. It’s crappy for your health, it sets a bad example for your girls, and when my daughter takes over the White House, I don’t want my bedroom to smell funky.

3. Don’t listen to any other unsolicited parenting advice. If someone gets insistent, I’d smile and tell them that once they figure out how to get leected as the leader of the free world, they can dole out all the parenting tips they want.