Anonymous wrote:Friend is divorced and will post pictures of herself with her kids saying “took my best friends to Old Dominion”, etc…..I think it is weird

Young children need parents. Your grown children become friends.

Parents are NOT children's best friends. Parents are ROLE MODELS leading the way with children following their example. It is important to show our children our love, affection/attention, and support, but as a role model we must set a healthy boundary that will benefit them in the long run.

Best,
Devoted Mom of Twins

Anonymous wrote:Divorced, single moms usually create bizarre codependencies with their kids, especially their daughters. Saying it out loud is not the problem--it's the reliance on them for emotional support that is the issue.

What about widows?

Your kids shouldn’t be your best friends. I think with divorce parents, it’s even worst to expect a young boy to emotionally support a divorced woman and like step in the shoes of an adult male, whether it’s fixing things or just general companionship. Seems manipulative and sad on the adult part. Just my opinion.

I can remember so clearly when my DD was around 3, gabbing my hand and saying, “You’re my best friend.” Of course that didn’t last, nor should it have, but it’s a sweet memory. She is 22 now.

Using the phrase is not an issue in and of itself, but if it translates to you at all treating your child like a peer? That's problematic.

Anonymous wrote:Divorced, single moms usually create bizarre codependencies with their kids, especially their daughters. Saying it out loud is not the problem--it's the reliance on them for emotional support that is the issue.

It’s called “parentification”. Ask me how I know.

Divorced, single moms usually create bizarre codependencies with their kids, especially their daughters. Saying it out loud is not the problem--it's the reliance on them for emotional support that is the issue.

My dad was fun to talk to.

Anonymous wrote:I wish my mom were my best friend. My mom is kind and intelligent, but not affectionate at all. She rarely calls and I cannot read her emotions at all.

My mom is very loving and caring but she is the one of the most boring people I know. I dread talking to her own phone but must do it for her sake.

Anonymous wrote:Divorced parent who calls her young kid her best friend. It’s just us. And we hang out and have fun. I obviously don’t share my hopes and dreams with him, but we hang out and go on outings. It’s mostly a joke. OP, why do you care if a single parent is close to their kid?

I can see this - doesn't sound abnormal at all. Sounds sweet.

Anonymous wrote:Friend is divorced and will post pictures of herself with her kids saying “took my best friends to Old Dominion”, etc…..I think it is weird

It sure sounds weird saying that in public but may be they really are.

My husband and grown kids are literally among my best friends. We understand each other, got each other's back and have lots of shared memories and future plans.

Obviously, I still need and value my other best friends.

Jealous?

Anonymous wrote:I can only assume they don't have a dog.

So it’s weird and codependent to consider your human family best friends but a different species that can’t even talk to you is fine? Seems stunted

some people say it as a joke, because they're always there...also who cares, I don't say that, but again, who cares.