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EasterJoy
Guest
I think sometimes a chip off the old block is easier to relate to than the rest of the world!No, I didn’t meant they still have that authority…Not in the same way. But perhaps this is somewhat cultural…I tend to be “old-school” about social roles. The parent being older is always going to have more experience to draw from, more guidance to offer, more wisdom to share. As the child grows into an adult, of course the role of the parent shifts to more of a coach/mentor, and less of a benevolent dictator.
I can see how a now-grown child would say that his/her parent is “my best friend,” but what does the parent get out of that imbalanced relationship?
I don’t know, the whole idea of referring to these social roles, either spouse or parent, as a “best friend” just doesn’t sit right with me. I’m probably not explaining it well, but it’s something I can’t do. I don’t even have a “best friend” right now. I have a lot of friends, and a husband I love and respect, and kids I am growing to appreciate more as they become adult men, but “best friends” seems rather juvenile to me.
Maybe I’m just an old fart.
You kids get off my lawn!
Still, I know what you mean. I don’t think this actually happens very often, and it is nothing that is reached by striving for it. In fact, I think a lot of damage would be done by striving for it! It is more like the parent and adult child look around and say, “you know, I don’t have a friend better than my dad/son. He gets me. It’s been a nice suprise.”
Spouses who are best friends are more common, and even that is something that is not some sort of a necessity.