OMG! When a parent says, "My kid is my best friend." I want to scream for the kid and ask that parent what is missing in your life?
This sounds a bit "judgy", and I don't mean to be. But dang it...How can your three-year-old be your best friend? Yes, I have had a long conversation with a mom who claims her three-year-old is her best friend. Huh!!
What about your teenager or your adult daughter? Oh my, I can't imagine treating my adult daughter as my best friend, the things I tell my best friends sometimes would make my daughter have an entirely different view of her Dad and me...We will just stop right there!
As a parent, wanting a close and loving relationship with your child is natural. However, labeling your child as your "best friend" may not be the healthiest approach. Here are six reasons why you should consider refraining from calling your kid your best friend.
It undermines the parent-child relationship. Parenting is a unique relationship that involves guidance, authority, and responsibility. Calling your child your best friend blurs the lines of this relationship and can lead to confusion about who is in charge. Children need parents who set boundaries and provide structure, not friends who enable them.
It puts pressure on your child to fulfill your emotional needs. When you call your child your best friend, you expect them to be your confidant, support system, and source of comfort. This can be a heavy burden for a child and hinder their emotional development.
It can lead to codependency. Codependency is a pattern of behavior where one person relies heavily on another for their emotional needs. By labeling your child as your best friend, you may unintentionally create a codependent relationship where you rely too heavily on your child for emotional support, and they may rely too heavily on you for approval.
It can hinder your child's ability to form healthy relationships. If your child is your best friend, they may have difficulty forming healthy relationships with peers and other adults. They may not know how to set appropriate boundaries or develop healthy communication skills, affecting their ability to create lasting relationships.
It can be detrimental to your child's development. Children need to form their own identities and develop a sense of self outside of their relationships with their parents. When you call your child your best friend, you may unintentionally hinder their ability to develop this sense of self and their own interests and hobbies.
It sets unrealistic expectations for your child's role in your life. Your child is not responsible for fulfilling your emotional needs, nor should they be. They are a separate individual with their own interests and needs, and it's important to recognize and respect that.
In conclusion, while it's important to have a close and loving relationship with your child, it's important to recognize the unique role of a parent and avoid labeling your child as your best friend. By maintaining appropriate boundaries and providing structure and guidance, you can foster a healthy and supportive parent-child relationship that will benefit both you and your child in the long run.
What is your opinion on this subject? I would love to hear it. Email me: suzi@suzifreeman.com
Written By: Suzi Freeman, Teen Mentor and the Founder of The 988 Warrior Box. You can visit Suzi at