Can a parent be a friend?

Question

i was just wondering... my teen has been acting so strange lately....

Answer 1

no.

a parent can only be a friend when the parent is like the kid which is usually bad.

Answer 2

no. its bad for the kid. your a parent for a reason. be one. the kid needs someone to pretect them and help guide them make the right decisions.

Answer 3

No. I'm a teen. Take it from me.

Sometimes parents think this when their kids are acting up. But we have friends - the last thing we need is more at home. We'll always need our parents for their discipline and as a constant throughout our ever-changing lives. Don't take the friend approach - because the bond between mom and daughter, father and son (and vise versa) is always stronger than between friends ... even best friends.

Don't be too worried. Teen's act strange - it happens. Just keep your eyes open and be there for a heart to heart.

But don't take the friend approach, we've got friends if we need them.

Pce.

Answer 4

theyy can i guess but in order to be a friend you have to mind your own business the one thing teens hate is wen parents try get into their businness

Answer 5

my daughter is 15 and we are very close more like friends than mom and daughter  we share everything  so i would say yes

Answer 6

Yes, but you guys need to have a close relationship first. It'll be hard to gain respect for each other if you aren't close now. Teenage years are a tender age.

Answer 7

Not until the child is grown.  Until then, a child needs a parent to be a parent.  No more, no less.

Answer 8

The way to be your child's friend is to set a good example for living life, and be brave enough to not be liked when it is necessary to discipline him/her. You cannot be their peer. If you are honest and care more for their welfare than being liked, when they are 30, they will be your friend, and when you are OLD they will take care of you.

Answer 9

well, you are a parent and that comes first. it is your job to assure your child that they can confide in you. when they learn to trust you, the two of you will become closer. this is where the friend part comes in. your child will soon realize that you are their one of their only true friends.

Answer 10

not really a friend to most teens

maybe to kids

I just don't see a teen being the same with her mom or dad as a friend. For instance you aren't going to share gossip from school with dad like  a teen would her friend on the soccer team with you. She wouldn't want to go on an all day mall trip with her mom or dad as she would her friend. It's not the same.

Parents are different then friends to teenagers.

Some teens relationships with their parents are on good terms, but they aren't  the same as "friends."

Answer 11

No way. A parent is a PARENT. Friends are chosen by the kids. Parents are parents for a reason. I hate that being friends bullshit. Kids need (at least) one stable adult in their lives. Whether it's their dad, mom, grandparent....whatever. They need someone to help them, but not be their friend. Someone who knows them inside and out. Don't become her friend. She needs her mom.

Answer 12

yes....you'll learn one day that your parents are your only friends unless they wish the worst for you

Answer 13

you can't be a friend buddy or anything like that, you are a parent. remember your role.

teens act weird all the time. doesn't mean they need you as their friend.....just let them know you are there to listen. if the teen is having that much weirdness than maybe therapy would help.

when the teen becomes an adult, and is on their own, then you can become friends.

Answer 14

I think you can to a point.  My mom and I are close but when it comes to talking about relationships I only talk to my golden friend.

Answer 15

only when the child becomes an adult

Answer 16

yes you can be a friend but you have to be a mom first....it just depends on things...i was cool talking to my mom about something an then other things i couldnt...mainly like s*x and drugs is what i acted werid bout

Answer 17

absolutely ! our daughter is our best friend.lol,sometime I think my honey and our daughter are sisters !

Answer 18

Not really.

Answer 19

My children know that I'm their friend BECAUSE I parent them. They even tell me when they've done something naughty. They know there will be consequence but they also know I'm here to help. They are young. They can count on me above all else. Even if I punish, get angry and take things away. They still know I'll sit down and talk to them about it- try to understand and see it from their point. Even though, ultimately I make the decisions- they know I'm their friend and mom. Same with daddy. We are on THEIR side in life. So yeah.. it's very possible.

Answer 20

i to a certain extent i think so. as long as it doesn't void out being a parent. you can be someone that your teen can talk to and get advice from. but you still have to be the one to teach them right from wrong. so as long as you can be their friend and  still have the authority to tell them no and have them listen i think you can do it!!!

Answer 21

Your parent is your best friend....I am 16 and I havent wanted my parents in my life since I was 7 but now that I am older I am realizing that I can tell them anything and they will still love me.....they are the freind you dont like to hang out with but will always have your back = ]

Answer 22

not all the way!! there just something teen need and you should be a partent not a friend!!

Answer 23

Being a parent comes first..... At times I must play the role of the parent with my 15yo son... then the rest of the time it is cool...... he likes to go do things with me and his friends think I'm a the coolest mom...

So..... you can be friends also......

Only if he understands you will always be the parent first............ I say always because I have 2 older sons that are 28 and 25........ we have a great time together but.... if I need to play the parent role once again... they know I will...

Good Luck.......    :)

Answer 24

yes, but being a parent must come first and foremost