Sit in on Cabinet meetings like Rosalynn Carter? No thanks. Mrs Obama says she doesn't like "the process stuff."

Pick a pet issue? She's identified a few favourites, including supporting military families with a parent far from home.

Her priority? She always will be "mom-in-chief" first.

Protective of her daughters, Mrs Obama made it clear she was not amused when the makers of Beanie Babies released "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia" dolls just after the inauguration.

People who've built careers studying first ladies say it will take time for Mrs. Obama to settle into hew new role.

Will she try to push the traditional first lady boundaries and have better luck with it than Hillary Rodham Clinton? Will she stick to tradition, avoid controversy and dive right into decorating, meal planning and welcoming guests to the White House? Will she try to do it all?

"I would be surprised if first ladies came into office in the first week and said, This is what I'm going to do," said Stacy A Cordery, who teaches history at Monmouth College in Illinois. "For the most part, first ladies' platforms evolve. They have to get their footing."