There is something I've been noticing in a number of the posts by many of the teen moms and moms to be that has been bugging me. A number of them have commented on the baby they are having becoming their new best friend. This is really bothering me because personally I think this is alot of what's wrong with the world today. Parents aren't their children's "friend" and nor should they want to be. This just leads to kids who have no structure or discipline. I'm not saying these young women will party with their kids when they get older, but this attitude leads to parents trying to constantly please their children instead of teaching them what's right and wrong. I am generalizing here, and I'm not attacking teen parents specifically, it is an attitude about parenting that can occur at any age. I have just noticed the comment alot on the teen posts. I was just wondering if anyone else had noticed? Should parenting classes be mandatory for young parents? Is this just a way for a teen to cope with a frightening situation? Sorry if I offend anyone, but I really think this is an important issue.

I have Noticed. I am a younger mother, I had my daughter at 20. Being "Best Friends" with your child doesn't seem to work well for most. Children need to learn to grow their own happyness- not have it being given to them. That is why we has so many spoiled/depressed kids and teens in this world. They have not learned things on their own- their "best friend" gives it to them............

ive noticed that too. im a young parent too, but i know that my kids will have lots of friends, and they need their parents to be parents. kids thrive on discipline, and if you spend all your time trying to be their friend it will backfire.

I agree with you silversky32. I think you should be a parent and not their friend! I know some parents that have done that and their kids just run all over them, they have no respect at all or anything! I know my husband and I are going to disipline and teach our kids right from wrong.

i do think parenting classes should be mandatory, because only some of us do know what we're doing. i feel that our parenting course has played a vital role in how our child is being raised, and it taught us how to work as a parenting team instead of against each other, and has probably helped us work out our own issues as well.

just a side note i know one girl whose oldest son is nearly 6 now, and she tells us not to say the N word to him (N word being NO) because he doesnt like it. she has a 3 y/o and 2 month old as well and i dont know how shes going to cope with letting them walk all over her.

I had my first child at 20 and I'm pregnant again with my second at 23. I want my children to think of me as their friend and their parent. I want them to come to me with personal problems and issues in their lives when they're older. I'm not going to be the mom who doesn't discipline my children (too friendly), but I want them to look at me as their parent, provider, and one of their best friends.