Why Melania Trump should visit Sophie Grgoire Trudeau

It's important forMelania Trump to reach out to her Canadian counterpart, Sophie Grgoire Trudeau, says theex-chief of staff for former president's wife Laura Bush.

"The relationships you developas spouses of other leaders goa long way in helping set a tone for the citizens of both countries," said Anita McBride in an interview on CBC News Network's Power & Politics.

A U.S. president's first foreign trip is traditionally to Canada, but with the Trump family continuing their precedent-breaking ways, it's up in the air as to whetherMelaniawould accompany her husband on a trip.

"It does come with the job," said McBride, who travelled to nearly 70 countries with Laura Bush during the George W. Bush administration. "I do think it's important."

A trip north to visit the prime minister and his wife would "reinforce the important relationship between the two countries," she said.

Commute to the White House

Melania has already indicated she won't move into the White House until at least the end of the school year, so son Barron canfinish school. The 10-year-old youngest Trump childcurrently attends a private school in Manhattan with tuition of $45,000 US per year.

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Michelle Obama considered staying in Chicago

Michelle Obama also considered a delayed move to the White House in 2009, McBride said.

In that case, it was Laura Bush who played a role in convincing Obama to come to Washington midway through the year with daughters Malia and Sasha, who were 10 and seven at the time.

Melania Trump as first lady

8 years ago

Duration 10:12

Former Chief of Staff to Laura Bush, Anita McBride, discusses what to expect from incoming first lady, Melania Trump

"One of the conversations Laura had with Mrs. Obama was to assure her that life in the White House would be OK for the girls, that they could make a family life there," said McBride.

"I can absolutely understand Melania's concern, the fact that she would look very seriously at staying in New York."

But having a first family living in the White House is an important asset to the president in maintaining a "connection to a normal, regular life,"she added.

"It is helpful for the president to have his family around him, providing that daily, regular life and sanctuary," she said.

Role 'doesn't come with a job description'

Ultimately, it will be up to Melania to decide what kind of president's wifeshe wants to be, McBride said.

"That's something that's her prerogative. The first lady is not a constitutionally authorized position," she said. "There's no salary, no job description. Each person gets to rewrite the job the way they want to do it."

If Melaniachooses to take on a role more removed from Washington, life at the White House will carry on, said McBride.

"There are a lot of members of the executive residence's staff who are used to supporting one president to the next," she said. "Events can be managed by residence staff. It helps to have the leadership of the first lady to set the direction ... but in this 21st-century technological age we live in, the first lady can make some of those decisions remotely."

There's also no reason to believe Melania would not be able to come down from New York to Washington when needed to preside over events, such as the annual black-tie ball coming on the heels of the Jan. 20 inauguration,McBride added.

"One of the beauties about this institution of the presidency is that there are plenty of people there to help you get these things done," McBride said.