First lady offers tips to survive White House

Washington: First lady Laura Bush shared some tips with Michelle Obama on how to survive in the White House - particularly with young daughters - and gave her successor a tour of the mansion that will soon become her home.

Less than one week after Barack Obama won a historic election to succeed President George W. Bush on January 20, the Obamas paid a visit to the White House on Monday.

After the two couples greeted with kisses and handshakes at the executive mansion's South Portico, they went briefly inside for a look around together before heading off in opposite directions.

Obama stepped into the Oval Office, ushered in by Bush. He later described the centre of American power as "a really nice office". "It was a bit of a momentous day," Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters on a flight from Washington to Chicago.

Tour of residence

While their husbands sat down in the Oval Office, Laura Bush took Michelle Obama on a tour of the first family residence on the second and third levels of the mansion.

They visited every room, said Laura Bush's spokeswoman, Sally McDonough.

She said the women, who were meeting each other for the first time, spent time in the rooms that would likely become the bedrooms of the younger Obamas: 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha.

"They did talk about their children and how the first lady can change the decor of any of the rooms in the private residence," said McDonough.