FEW things are as sweet to a parent as family meals and bedtime with the kids, and these are the two reasons why First Lady Michelle Obama is enjoying her comforting new life at the White House.

In an interview for the March 9 issue of People magazine, she revealed the first intimate details of her family life since President Barack Obama was inaugurated and they moved into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with their daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven.

After more than a year of living out of suitcases and in hotel rooms on the campaign trail, Mrs Obama said the family now has dinner together every night, where they talk about the highs and lows of their day.

The President is even able to tuck his children into bed before they drift off to sleep.

'We haven't had that kind of time together for (years), so that explains a lot why we all feel so good in this space,' the First Lady told People magazine.

The White House as a refuge of domestic bliss? So it appears. The couple's daily routine includes exercise at 5.30am and breakfast together. The House chefs cook 'mean waffles and grits', said Mrs Obama.

She said the secrets to their successful marriage include being able to laugh together and his ability to stay calm under stress. 'I don't want anybody to think it's easy. It works because we really work at it.'

She also revealed that her husband had quit smoking, for now, and that Malia and Sasha must still do their chores, like making their beds, cleaning their rooms and clearing the dishes from the dinner table.

'People (here) want to make your life easy, but when you have small kids - I've explained this to the staff - they don't need their lives to be easy. They're kids,' she said.

Mrs Obama also confirmed that a presidential pooch is on the way. The family is seeking a stray Portuguese Water Dog, a breed that will not trigger Malia's allergy to many breeds.

The girls have thought of several canine names, including Frank and Moose, but Mum Obama is not going for those. 'I'm like...let's work with the names a little bit,' she said. -- REUTERS