Just because the president of the United States is the leader of the country's executive branch doesn't mean that the whole presidential family can do whatever they want. In fact, there's a whole list of things the first family is supposed to do - and a list of things they shouldn't do - regardless of whether they'd actually like to do them or not.
Some of these are surprisingly strict rules for the first family, like how opening White House windows is expressly forbidden. This is one of the stranger things that show what it's like to live in the White House. Some rules are more like guidelines for the president and their family, such as various holiday events. The first family also has to be keenly aware of all the priceless artwork in the White House, which can be difficult if you're one of the presidents with problem children. All in all, these first family traditions show how they don't just make the rules - they have to follow some too.
Typically speaking, members of the first family are discouraged from taking on official roles in the administration. This rule is supposed to ensure the president has credibility, because it prevents them from being accused of nepotism. The 1967 Federal Anti-Nepotism Statute legally prohibits this from occurring, but it is open to interpretation.
Some say the rule prevents family members of the president from taking on any administrative role, while others say the law only prevents family members from taking on paid positions. In President Donald Trump's administration, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner were brought in as unpaid advisors.
Presidents Must Accept Secret Service Protection, But The Family May Decline
Secret Service protection is also available to the president's and vice president's family members, but they can decline this protection if they desire. For instance, Donald Trump Jr. gave up his Secret Service protection in September 2017.
The First Family Can't Open The White House Windows
For security reasons, windows of the White House have to remain closed so no unauthorized people can make their way inside. When speaking to Oprah Winfrey at the United State of Women Summit in 2016, Michelle Obama revealed how an open window caused a problem a few years earlier.
"Sasha opened her window once - there were calls," Michelle Obama said. "'Shut the window!' It never opened again."
When a new president moves into the White House, there's no on-site interior designer just waiting around from the previous president. Instead, the first lady or first gentleman must choose their own interior designer to give the place a unique touch.
Melania Trump didn't officially move into the White House until June 2017. However, she was prompt about picking a designer - she selected Tham Kannalikham as the official interior designer in February 2017.
The First Family Can Redecorate The White House, Except For Certain Rooms
The president may run the country, but they still don't have complete control over their entire living space. For instance, although the first lady or first gentleman brings in an interior designer, not every room can be redesigned on a whim.
Certain rooms on the first and second floors, like the Lincoln Bedroom, the Yellow Oval Room, and the Queen's Suite are considered historically important on their own, so they have their own sets of rules separate from the rest of the White House. Changes can still be made to these rooms, but those changes must first receive outside approval.
There's A White House Curator To Ensure The Protection Of Historic Artwork
The White House is home to some priceless artwork, and one person is in charge of it. In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy had the White House declared a museum, and brought in the first White House curator. The job involves keeping track of all the White House's art and artifacts, including the ones currently on display and the ones in storage.
Former curator William G. Allman said: "The house is so alive, because you have a new administration every four to eight years. We are commemorating the lives of an unending sequence of people that are 'the presidency.'"
