“I am not my child’s friend.”

Years ago, I overheard a veteran mom speak these words with a confident, dismissive shrug. My kids were tiny then. I was a new mom. Everything parenting was fresh as a summer’s day.

Her callous words felt like a punch to my heart. Of course I was my child’s friend! His protector, his confident, his cook, his maid, his…everything!

I was committed to being the best parent ever. And that surely included being my son’s friend.

Years later, I understand that momma-bluntness. I still want and expect to keep my children close. But now I see how much parenting wisdom (and responsibility) lies in going far beyond being my children’s friend.