Parent or Friend?

I am always a parent I can't even image hanging out with my children. One, I am too protective, my daughter is only 2 inches shorter than I am and fully developed, when people see us they ask are we sisters and I clearly state that I am her mother. I don't care how old she gets I don't want any man looking at her or talking to her especially not in front of me. And my son is talling than I and he knows I don't care how tall he is I am still his mother. Now I do listen to music with them or play games (video) but I am always mom.

I am a parent to my son. I have rules that are always to be followed. I do have fun with my son, we play games, shoot some baskets and even play some video games. I like his friends, but I don't hang out with them. They respect me as his mom.

I am always a parent first and this is a healthier relationship. I have very open conversations with my kids and they are confident to come and tell me things they cannot share with their friends, as friends can be cruel sometimes and quite two faced. However, I would not want to know the things they share with their friends as this is part of their lifes that is something for them and a way of learning how to form friendships and become independent. I must admit though, I do have a laugh when my teenage daughter is on the phone and I can hear who did this and who did that. She always fills me in on the latest gossip.

I try to be both but of course, parenting comes first. I don't think I would hang out with them...I don't want them to see how silly I get when I drink. They would say "mom is a bimbo"...lol

I do believe you can be both. I have two grown up sons. I still discipline them as they still live in my house, so have to abide by my rules. However, they talk to me on many an occasion as if I were their friend.I wouldn't go and hang out with them and their mates though, that would be just so uncool. They would be sure to cramp my style !! :-)

Both. I am always the parent, but part of parenting is also being a friend with some wisdom. My oldest daughter shares 5th grade gossip with me. I know what's going on in her life, and I can advise her on how to deal with things.