BARACK OBAMA: “I THINK I’M A PRETTY COOL DAD!”

Barack Obama may be the new president, but when it comes to parent-teacher meetings, ballet recitals and reading Harry Potter with his girls - he really is just like Us!

The new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, details the special bond between Obama and his daughters, and how the President-elect is the first leader who acts like a modern dad too: sharing parenting duties, attending school conferences and squeezing in the occasional date night with his wife, Michelle. Case in point: before jetting off to the White House Monday, he kissed his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, goodbye and dropped them off at school. During the campaign, Michelle told Us: "He's an incredible husband and father. Not sure if the world knows yet, but they should!" Adds Michelle's former colleague, Paul Schmitz: "The Obamas are true to their word when they say they're going to balance work and family."

So how will they actually do that? Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin says it may be easier now than it was on the trail: "The family is more together here than during the campaign," she tells Us.

How will life for this once normal family from Chicago be changing? Earlier this week, Michelle began visiting potential schools for the girls ahead of the January 20 Inauguration. And even though they'll have a chef whipping up their favorite treats - and a personal movie theater - in the White House, they'll still be focusing on, "homework, chores, dance and soccer," Michelle told Us before the election. "We have to put [children's] education...first," Michelle has said. "I think I'm a pretty cool dad," Obama told Us earlier in the campaign.

For more on how the first family is preparing for their move to the White House - including the status of their puppy purchase! - and details of what life will be like for the girls now, pick up the newest issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.