Parents are a child’s first friends, but the same may not be accurate for everyone. Parents, especially mothers, are usually the first ones a child forms any bond with. If everyone plays their cards right, that bond could become a lifetime friendship.
That said, why is it not just ok, but important to be your child’s friend? Is it even necessary? Some parents believe it isn’t; their role is caregiver and disciplinarian, not a friend. Those who have enjoyed a friendship with their parents or child will tell you that there can be a beautiful balance.
Building a relationship with your child that displays affection and acceptance while reinforcing the need for respect and discipline paves the way for them to have healthy relationships with others in the future. If your relationship with your child teaches them fear and control, they may come to believe that is how relationships should be. You could be developing a dysfunctional adult without even knowing it.
Being your child’s friend now makes it easier for them to trust you later. Research has shown that children whose parents developed friendships with them made better decisions in their teen years. For example, girls who saw their parents as trusting were less likely to engage in early sexual activity. Let your child feel comfortable coming to you with the “little” things now; it’ll be only natural for them to come to you with the “big” things later.
Friendship with your child doesn’t need to mean anything goes. Friends respect each other. So yes, you’ll respect your child even as you expect them to respect you. Friends also guide each other. Your role as a parent is to guide your child. You’ll probably find it’s easier to do so when your child trusts that you have their best interest at heart and aren’t simply trying to control them.
Being friends with your child can make him a confident, secure person. Even though you may not identify with your child’s lifestyle, making an effort to do so will make it easier to tackle the generation gap and create other advantages.
When you are your child’s best friend, you will allow them to learn from their mistakes. They will understand that they are not expected to be perfect, and it’s ok to make mistakes as long as they learn from them. Ultimately, you want them to respect your high expectations of them without them feeling pressured. Giving your child space for mistakes makes him feel that it is alright to make mistakes as long as he learns from them.
As a parent, you may think it’s impossible to be your child’s friend and still be the authority figure that a parent should be. But consider that “more flies are caught with honey than vinegar.” A loving, friendly relationship with your child may make your job as a parent easier.
Were you or are you friends with your parents? What did you appreciate about that relationship? Share with us; we would love to hear your story.
#parentchildrelationship #parenting #friendship #raisingboys #raisinggirls
Ac haca ullamcorper donec ante habi tasse donec imperdiet eturpis varius per a augue magna hac. Nec hac et vestibulum duis a tincidunt per a aptent interdum purus feugiat a id aliquet erat himenaeos nunc torquent euismod adipiscing adipiscing dui gravida justo. Ultrices ut parturient morbi sit adipiscing.
Heading /Sub-Heading Section Title Here
Mauris torquent mi eget et amet phasellus eget ad ullamcorper mi a fermentum vel a a nunc consectetur enim rutrum. Aliquam vestibulum nulla condimentum platea accumsan sed mi montes adipiscing eu bibendum ante adipiscing gravida per consequat gravida tristique litora nisi condimentum lobortis elementum. Ullamcorper ante fermentum massa a dolor gravida parturient id a adipiscing neque rhoncus quisque a ullamcorper tempor. Consectetur scelerisque ullamcorper arcu est suspendisse eu rhoncus nibh.
Mauris torquent mi eget et amet phasellus eget ad ullamcorper mi a fermentum vel a a nunc consectetur enim rutrum. Aliquam vestibulum nulla condimentum platea accumsan sed mi montes adipiscing eu bibendum ante adipiscing gravida per consequat gravida tristique litora nisi condimentum lobortis elementum. Ullamcorper ante fermentum massa a dolor gravida parturient id a adipiscing neque rhoncus quisque a ullamcorper tempor. Consectetur scelerisque ullamcorper arcu est suspendisse eu rhoncus nibh.