It’s almost time for Michelle Obama‘s youngest child, Sasha Obama, to go off to college — and once the 17-year-old graduates from high school, Michelle and her husband, Barack Obama, will have the house to themselves. Although some parents are already gritting their teeth just thinking about their children leaving the nest, Michelle told People that she only wishes the best for Sasha.

“I don’t need my children to make me happy. I had them so that they’d be happy,” she shared. And thanks to technology and social media, Sasha and the former First Lady’s oldest daughter, Malia Obama, 20, will always be just a phone call away. “I also have the resources that if I really get sad, I’ll go see them. Unlike my parents, who dropped me off at college and just had a phone call, I text with my kids. I can text [Malia] right this second and know exactly what she’s thinking.”

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Since leaving the White House, Malia has been enjoying her time at Harvard University. “I don’t feel like she’s away,” the 54-year-old mother said about her daughter not being home. “I feel like she’s off on her next adventure, so I’m excited about her.”

Michelle understands that kids need time to find out who they want to be when they grow up, especially when they start to become young adults. “That’s the rub of teenagers — they’re bumping up against the limits of where they are because they’re ready for the next thing,” she shared.

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“That’s how I feel with my girls: if they are ready for college, then I want them to go and I’m happy for them,” she added. Plus, Michelle has her new book and her reignited romance with Barack to keep her busy. “I’ve got an initiative, I’ve got a book, I’ve got a husband I can see again,” she gushed. How sweet!