First of all thank you for starting this thread. I personally believe that respect (self respect and respect for others) has flown out the window. And I believe that the reason there are so many disrespectful children running around is there is no structure, rules, and discipline in the house. These kids are running the house instead of the parents running the house (and other words, these kids are raising themselves - there is no guidance at home). The parents are trying to be friends to them instead of being the person to guide their child into being a responsible adult.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that you should not have a good time with your kids and can't be their friend, but there is a time and a place for it. You have to find the happy medium of having fun with your kids and being a friend and still guiding them into being mature, respectful, & responsible adults.

Another thing that bothers me is when I see these parents that allow disrespectful behavior out of their kids at a young age (toddlers) and think it is cute and then wonder why they have hellions running around when they are older. Respect for themselves and others needs to be demanded at all ages.

Yes, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law tell their mother (my mother-in-law) to hush and shut-up, and they're 23 and 26 years old. And they attend church every Sunday!!! If I ever spoke to my mother that way I would not have any teeth left. She lets them run all over and they are spoiled rotten. I can't stand for my 2 yr old to be around that. And I have another on the way. I believe you have to be firm with them and show them you're the parent, but also tell them that if they have any personal problems they can come to you. That's the whole part of being a parent. Being their mentor, provider, to discipline them, and be their friend when they need someone to talk to.

I think there's a way to be both.
But first and foremost you should be a parent, and then you should do the friend card as in being always there for them to talk to, like a friend might be. As a parent you should always be clear that you are there for them to talk to, even if the conversation may lead you to dissapointment or anger. Either way, if your child knows they can always talk to you, then they always will. And that's a friendly thing as well as a parental thing.