are you friends with your teen's friends' parents?

[Anonymous]

I barely know any of my teen DS friends' parents. They drop them off at our house, they barely come out of the car. When DS goes to their houses, parents are nowhere to be seen. I am not saying I want to be friends with the parents but an occasional "hi, I am Larla's mom" would be nice. I am an immigrant and in my culture, parents knew each other quite well.

[Anonymous]

I'm so worried that this will happen

[Anonymous]

You should feel free to walk up and expect to say hello the first time. If they’re not around and super available, keep trying.

I don’t even think it’s weird to chat at the door several times. Recently a dad do this to me, chatted at the door when dropping his dd off for a group get together. He kept staying a long time. I was a little taken back, but now I think about it. It’s fine. It’s his chance to get to know the host parent.

[Anonymous]

I've met the parents of my teen's two closest friends - the kids handle the bulk of plans but it is nice to have at least said hello.

[Anonymous]

I have at least met most of my kids’ friends’ parents. I know the ones from elementary fairly well. I would not say that I am friends with any of the moms. I am definitely friendly with them.

[Anonymous]

The ones they were friends with in middle school, yes. The newer ones, no. Barely know them.

[Anonymous]

I know the elementary and middle school ones.

[Anonymous]

Nope, friendly with some but not friends. Some are snooty, some are just boring. Don’t need to be friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have at least met most of my kids’ friends’ parents. I know the ones from elementary fairly well. I would not say that I am friends with any of the moms. I am definitely friendly with them.

+1. Friendly, not friends.

[Anonymous]

Nope not friends. We’re cordial and social if we see one another at events/school functions, but beyond that nothing. Teens make their own plans.

[Anonymous]

No. Have met many during the earlier years (elementary or middle school, or through sports)- am friendly with some. Parents of new friends, no.

[Anonymous]

Never ever friends - any year, any grade.

My kids have their friends and I have mine. A few have cross connected here and there but we never make the kids stay friends or we feel obligated to stay friends.

I am however really friendly and will always talk or say hi. My 14DD had about 15 people over for NYE and most parents called or came up to the door and I am totally fine with that. But beyond that, no no no no no!!!!

Same goes with parents of boyfriends/girlfriends. Friendly but not friends. Texts here or there for pick-ups or a picture but never hanging out.

Friends and relationships come and go and I am not going to be a part of making it harder for my kids/teens.

[Anonymous]

I’ve made friends with a handful that I just really liked - there’s another group of parents I am friendly with enough to chit chat at drop off, and then the majority are like you, OP. Their kids have been at my house so many times and I couldn’t tell you their parents names or what they look like. It’s kinda crazy esp when they are sleeping over at my house. These kids never host though so I have never asked for their parents number like I would if she was going there.

[Anonymous]

I know them but am not friends with them.

[Anonymous]

I got to know parents up until my kids were around 15/16. By that age kids were making their own plans and then starting to drive themselves. I did lots of carpooling for activities and hosting at my house before the kids got to that age so did know most parents for years.