Discussion: Parents Who Befriend their Child instead of parenting them - Page 2

Jacob.

Well it's hard to be a friend when you're a baby and rely on them to teach you whats right and wrong but once you're in your mid to late teens it's completely normal for your parents to become more like friends and less like teachers.

psychodj

As long as the child is well behaved and doing perfectly fine and not causing any trouble, then I have no problem with it.

If they're acting out, then it's time for you as a parent to step in.

All families have different approaches to raising their children, and sometimes they work out well, ad someties they don't. I know a few kids who have great and close relationships with their parents; she doesn't really have set rules, can usually get what she wants, go where she wants, be out all the time...you would think they were best friends, but they're doing perfectly fine (in school and out of school) and stay out of trouble all the time.

But at the same times, why can't parents have a balance? Hell, I wish my parents were like that. I feel like I could relate to them more, and I wouldn't have such a hard time trying to make them understand me or go and talk to them about a personal issue. Yeah, I'm doing wonderful with life, but I just feel like they're too strict/uptight and don't really relax. It's a bit annoying.

But I have this kind of relationship with my aunt, and she doesn't mind at all, and I even learn a few things from her. I wish my parents were like that, but that's never going to happen.

Ripedie254

I consider my mom my best friend but both my parents knew when I needed a friend and when I needed to be parented. I like to think I had a good balance.