http://kevinvandever.com/2009/03/30/can-you-be-your-childs-friend/ Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction...or at least great inspiration for it. Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:53:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 http://kevinvandever.com/2009/03/30/can-you-be-your-childs-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Kirsten Wright Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:46:04 +0000 http://kevinvandever.com/?p=20#comment-4 From experience, I know that parents can absolutely be a child's friend, as both of mine are my friends and have been forever. My parents were always strict when I was growing up - but there was always and understanding that I could tell them everything and they would listen before jumping to a conclusion or punishment. Being friends was tough when I was young as they did have to 'make the rules' but as I got older, we were able to develop a friendship that was more friend than parent. Now at 24, I go walk with both of them everyday after work just to catch up on our days and what is new. There are still some things I don't discuss (intimate time w/hubby is an off-limits topic) but if there were something wrong, I know that there is nothing I couldn't tell or ask. Parents and kids can and should be friends - it just takes time and effort! From experience, I know that parents can absolutely be a child’s friend, as both of mine are my friends and have been forever. My parents were always strict when I was growing up – but there was always and understanding that I could tell them everything and they would listen before jumping to a conclusion or punishment. Being friends was tough when I was young as they did have to ‘make the rules’ but as I got older, we were able to develop a friendship that was more friend than parent. Now at 24, I go walk with both of them everyday after work just to catch up on our days and what is new. There are still some things I don’t discuss (intimate time w/hubby is an off-limits topic) but if there were something wrong, I know that there is nothing I couldn’t tell or ask. Parents and kids can and should be friends – it just takes time and effort!

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