Children as Friends (8)

Is it possible to be a parent AND a friend to your child/children?

Does being their "friend" hinder the decisions you would make as a parent?

Do you "parent" the friends you have in your social circle?

Not really,children dont want you to be their friend they want you to be their parent.Children pick their own friends,their friends from 3 years ago may not be the same as now.I've children of mixed ages from 20's to teenage and under 12.none of them want me to be their friend,I'm their mum,which to them is totally seperate and special,when their friends let them down,they know they can rely on me.I can go out with the older ones and have a drink and a laugh but when life has really hurt them,they tend to regress and want me to reassure them that it will be ok sometimes their friends can't give them this reassurance,hope this is ok

I am first, a parent to my children(32 and34)...they don't want me to be their friend, yet my daughter treats me as one.
When they were growing up, being the parent was most important to guide them...now that they are grown, they want me as a friend and once in a while as a parent that they still need.

I have seen someone that just wanted to be their children's best friend. He did everything in his power to do everything they were doing(even the wrong). He never guided them and never encouraged them. They often turned on him and told him they didn't want his friendship, but he didn't listen and their relationship became strained.....It doesn't work....

Children need parents to be there, guide them in the right direction and to give them a good solid foundation to build their lives upon. All we can do is do our job and hope for the best.