Obama: ‘Tough deal’ when kids leave the home

President Obama says one of his biggest fears is becoming an empty nester.

{mosads}Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday, Obama, father to Malia, 17, and Sasha, 14, spoke about “common, everyday fears” that everyone shares.

“The main one that I’m feeling right now is that our children grow up too fast,” Obama said.

“They’re leaving. That’s a tough deal,” he said of his kids.

“And so, as a parent, you’re worrying about will some harm befall them? How are they going to manage without you? Did you miss some central moment in their lives?”

A few chuckles could be heard from the crowd as Obama, 54, wondered aloud whether his daughters would pick up the phone after eventually moving out: “Will they call? Or text?”

“For me, and I know for so many of you,” Obama said, “faith is the great cure for fear. Jesus is a good cure for fear.”

Obama has openly discussed before his impending dread about his daughters flying the coop. He said last year that the idea of Malia heading off to college had him misty-eyed.

“I start tearing up in the middle of the day and I can’t explain it, why am I so sad? They’re leaving me.”