Should You Be Your Child's Friend?

We all have different parenting styles, some are more relaxed than others. However when it comes to parenting and disciplining your child, should you ever be there friend rather than act like their parent?

From what I have seen the answer would be a solid no, why? It will only lead to chaos. Children have plenty of people they can be friends with but the only one mother and/or father that can be there to discipline them and teach the child right from wrong.

If a parent acts more like a friend to their child then they are not going to learn the life lessons they need to in order to become mature and respectful adults that any parent or guardian would be proud of.

That is not to say you be friendly towards your child and be their friend sometimes, but friendship should not be the main base of the relationship. otherwise the child will not respect you and they will see a person who is an easy target to walk all over.

If you want to take a more relaxed approach to parenting then thats fine but remember its your responsibility to teach them the most important things in life and that is the best thing you can do for them.