____________________
I have heard many parents say, I am my child's best friend and, my child is mine as well. I must pose this question: Is it possible for parents to be their children's best friends? Can a sense of authority be maintained in such relationships and, at the same time, take disciplinary actions towards the child or children when needed?
I believe that any good parent would have his/her children's best interest at heart and would do almost anything to maintain the well-being of the children. But I cannot fathom that it is possible for parents and their children nor for an adult and a child, to be best friends.
This is not a realistic concept for good parental care. Neither is it reasonable for an adult to be best friends with a child. What would they talk about? What adult activities could they have in common? Children need a figure of authority that is capable of teaching them right from wrong. That is almost the very meaning of parents.
Sometimes children need tough love and discipline. They also need unconditional love for life. I'm sure many have tried to be best friends with their children and many have failed. There is a line that should be drawn and not crossed in parenting children.
A parent should be a guide to a child; a child's best friend should be another child. []
Jessie Landers
Republished 7.18.05
