Are you your child's best friend?

One of them, yes. My kids are still young and already have good friends, so I expect that may change with time.

by Sarah Bell

I don't have a child just yet, but if I ever do, I hope to be one of their close confidantes. I want him/her to feel comfortable enough to talk to me about anything and everything.

by Xarah

I think that I am one of my child's best friends. But it might depend on the week ;)

by Matteo Lor

I learnt (and this is just me) that being our child's best friend is not really good for that child.

We need to be what we are.
Comforter/provider/parent....Of course we can have a great deal of fun with our children, but to know them 101% is not healthy to them and us.

They must find life for what it is, and being their all the time is just not good for both, parent and child no matter what the reason.

We can not or should we ever be all things to our children.
That crosses boundaries, and they have to have their own best friend, who they pick.
Being a Parent is such a huge job, we should work on that.Giving to that child all we can do and doing it to the very best.
A best friend is:
Someone they can tell secrets too, and have fun with on their own ground...esp with age....We do want our children to tell us at times things that they would like to think, they could....But, your best friend should be a friend, not a parent.
Parents should be that, if not you deprive the child...I have a best friend now of
nearly 51 years.She is my rock, and she understands things, I would never want my parents to know about.
Freedom is picking our own best friend, with no interfering from a parent.
That is my take, and has worked very well with my sons too.They know I am there for them.
Each of them have a best friend, and it has been a blessing for each of them.

by jonaja

Yes I am and I try to be his friend.

by Radhika

Although I'm fond of my mother, we're definitely not best friends, as we're very different people and our relationship has never been particularly close. If I was in serious difficulty I probably wouldn't tell her as she most likely wouldn't be able understand.

I've got a much closer relationship with my daughter who is now 22 as I've made a conscious effort to be supporting and encouraging throughout her life. Even so, I don't know whether you'd call us 'best friends' as her besties are more young women her own age.

With younger children and teenagers, though, I don't think it's necessarily healthy to blur the boundaries between parent and friend. Kids need guidance and firm boundaries (and lots of love) so seeing their parent as a best friend may not always best for them.

by Carolyn Hopping

My kids are still pretty young,( 2yrs & 3yrs) but they seem to be pretty fond of me. If I go to the living room they take their toys there and play. If I move to my bedroom, their bedroom or even the bathroom its the same thing. They seem to love playing and chatting with their daddy. So I guess I'm close to being their best friend.

by dwatk