Being a White House kid comes with pluses and minuses

US President Donald Trump takes the oath of office as his wife Melania Trump holds the bible and his son Barron Trump looks on, on the West Front of the US Capitol on Jan 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. [Photo/VCG]

All presidents and first ladies seek a life outside the spotlight for minor children who live in the 132-room mansion, except when they themselves put their kids in the spotlight.

Days after the incident involving Rich, the White House appealed for respect for Barron's privacy.

"It is a longstanding tradition that the children of presidents are afforded the opportunity to grow up outside of the political spotlight," the White House press office said in a brief statement. "The White House fully expects this tradition to continue."That same week, Trump told Sean Hannity of Fox News that it was "a disgrace" for NBC "to attack my 10-year-old son." Trump also suggested the dustup may have bothered Barron, who has only been seen publicly during big moments of the past year, such as the night Trump addressed the Republican National Convention and election night. He continues to live full-time in New York City with his mother, first lady Melania Trump.

"It's not an easy thing for him. Believe me," Trump said of his son.

In contrast, Trump's adult children, Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany, are sharing the limelight with their famous father. Don Jr. and Eric are running the family business, and Ivanka could end up joining the administration. All three Trump children sat in on meetings their father conducted before and after he took office.

Doug Wead, who wrote a book about the children of presidents, said it's the "ultimate hurt" when the offspring become the vehicle for the ire that some grown-ups wish they could direct toward the president. He said kids become targets because they're seen as weak.

"Barron can't fight back," Wead said.

Anita McBride, who worked for three Republican presidents and was first lady Laura Bush's chief of staff, said President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, did a good job shielding their daughters from most public scrutiny. Bush's daughters were college-bound when he was elected in 2000, so they didn't live in the White House. But their underage drinking made headlines.

"Why in a matter of 24 hours should it be different for this child?" McBride said of Barron.