Can we befriend our children?

As I typed the title, I immediately started singing... if you know, you know lol

This is a very subjective topic, for many reasons and while I would love to say there is a right and/or a wrong... it is all based on one's interpretation of the word FRIEND!

If you have been here for a while, then you already know, I am about to define the word friend (maybe that will bring some clarity to what I mean when I say, we can have both) According to Oxford Languages:

A friend is a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection...

In all friendships, it is important for us to create healthy boundaries. Boundary is a line that marks the limits of an area; dividing line.

This means that within your friendship with your child, you get to set the boundaries! While I share something's with my daughter, there are limits. Everything is done in moderation.

Now that my daughter is older, we have practiced enough how to view things from different perspective's. In addition, I value her thoughts, opinions, and her ability to assess situations from a different viewpoint. I am a lifelong student and I am not ashamed to say there are times, I can stand to learn a thing or two from "Thing Two.." <---- see what I did there? =)