From the Prophet's Mouth...

"There should [not] be any of us so unwisely indulgent, so thoughtless and so shallow in our affection for our children that we dare not check them in a wayward course, in wrong–doing and in their foolish love for the things of the world more than for the things of righteousness, for fear of offending them." - Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939), 286.

Shouldn't there be some kind of parenting class that teaches this?!?   This is still a hard thing for me to understand--as a parent you do you child a disservice if you don't check them when they mess up.  I don't mean to humiliate them or become verbally (or physically, for that matter, EVER) abusive.  But your job as a parent is not the same as a job of their friend!

I've seen so many young women at the high school, especially, who seem to have an unnatural friendship with their moms.  It seems weird to me--especially when the moms justify bad behavior from their daughters.  These girls hvae plenty of friends their own age.  Be their parent.

When we truly love our kids we will discipline them.  They will learn what is expected of them, what is right, and what will make them happy.  Then as adults themselves--likely with their own children--THEN they can find ways to be friends with parents.  But while they are growing up, they need us to be their PARENT and not their friend.

Just my two cents...backed by a prophet's voice.