Is it possible to be your teenage daughters friend as well as a parent?

Question

Seems everytime the parent steps in she acts all annoyed and gives the silent treatment. Seems she can do no wrong. Is it possible to find a middle in all of this.

Answer 1

Got any pics of her?
I'll be her friend

Answer 2

Being a consistent, guiding PARENT - IS being a friend. If you mean being a 'buddy' to a teenage [leaning towards being a peer] NO that is not a good idea.

Separation of roles is paramount to being a good role model as a parent - the teenager may give the silent treatment etc. etc. but that is to be expected. More often than not they ARE listening and it will be reflected at a later date.

Parenting is not a popularity contest and although a parent may often feel like an outsider in their child's life, they still have a major role to play in teaching, modeling, and maintaining ethical standards and roles in the home.

Answer 3

I have an 18 yr old son and we are just kinda becomeing friends.But before that no.You can't do both.You need to set bountries and inforce them.You can't be a friend and do that.Your main goal is to teach her and show her what priorities are important. When she is 18 things start changeing and she will thank u for making her do the right thing.The reward of not being her friend pays off in the end. You'll have a well adjusted child on her way to conqueur the world.Good luck

Answer 4

No. And you shouldn't want to be. She has all the friends she wants, what she needs is a parent. She needs guidelines, and limits to be set, and discipline when appropriate, good teaching etc. You can't do this effectively while at the same time being her friend. It doesn't do her justice. Expect the attitude for now (she is a teenager after all) but realize that you are helping her to be a great person in the long run - something she won't be able to appreciate until later on.

Answer 5

A parent must be a parent and the teenage daughter will find teenage friends. A parent cannot be both. Sometimes an uncle or an aunt can be a friend for a while.

Answer 6

Yes you can be a childs friend and the parent. My mom is my best friend and has always been my best friend. I was always able to tell her anything and she never judged me for it. I was also grounded when I had done something wrong. I am a better woman for it today.

So for all of you stating that you can not be a friend and a parent, y'all are wrong. You just have to find that middle ground and make sure that it is clearly marked out and your family will be better for it.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

Answer 7

the only way you can be the friend is if your husband decides to be full time disciplinarian, bad guy.

otherwise, you need to be the parent and do your job as the PARENT.

teenagers are teenagers and they do not like to be told what to do or be treated like children, which they still are. unfortunately the people that care about them the most, parents, teachers, etc. get the short end of the stick for awhile.

there are plenty of years ahead where you guys can be friends.

take care,
SD

Answer 8

Seems like normal teenage rebellion to me. Just realize, no matter how she acts, you are the parent, AND boss. She don't have to like it, but she does have to do what you say. Don't be afraid of some "tough love". Remember, you can't reason with them...they know it all already. It's got to be your way, all the way. When she's old enought, since she knows everything already, then she can move out. Best of luck to you.

Answer 9

All you can do is be her parent right now...and find those rare quiet moments alone to let her know how proud of her you are and what she means to you. Teens are always trying to be more independent than parents are ready for them to be. They resent any reminders that they are still "kids". I spend 15 years working in restaurants with teens and you wouldn't believe how much of my time I spent talking to them about how afraid they're parents were! I would show them pictures of my kids (very young at the time) and tell them that no matter how old they get we as parents still view them as our babies and want to protect them from anything and everything that could hurt them from driving a car to boyfriends to drugs. They always seemed more understanding hearing it from me than their parents...maybe because I wasn't their parent I was their boss. They just want to spread their wings...and we just want to keep them safe from harm. It is a conflict that has been going on since the dawn of the teen years and will go on forever. We as parents just have to stick to our rules, keep it simple, keep the standards high and wait it out. Then when they are through it all we can become friends. Keep in mind someday they really will understand it all. Especially when they have children themselves! Hang in there! It will get better!!

Answer 10

teenage ladies won't respond to floor regulations while they comprehend there is comprehend punishment. I specific your pal has floor regulations yet basically would not shop on with inspite of the shown fact that with punishments. he needs to detach himself emotionally and punish her while she breaks the regulations that's annoying and prevalent will boost the undesirable behaviour for a jiffy yet while he's consistent calm do not shout or lose it do not respond in any way do not enter into argument. remember that's what she needs she needs interest if her behaviour improves the coach interest take to a stay overall performance or enable her out. yet maximum of all be reliable. sturdy luck been there.

Answer 11

I have a 12 year old daughter and although I hope that one day we can be friends as well as mother/daughter, being her friend is not my job. My job is to be her mother. In my opinion trying to be both parent and friend to a teenager is big trouble. I love her very, very much but parents and friends have two COMPLETELY different roles in her life.