Parents, Teenagers, Friends?

I read an interesting post titled High Hopes over at Rocks In My Dryer, yesterday. It was about Miley Cyrus who plays Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel, which we don't get but can see the Saturday morning version.

She and her dad, Billy Ray, were interviewed, and he said something about wanting to be her best friend. The post was positive about Miley's character with the hopes that she's able to retain it. The interesting part was a deep concern about her father wanting to be her friend. That lead to many posts agreeing, some vehemently, that parenting and friendship never mix.

I understand the sentiment. We've all seen parents trying to be "friends" that let their kids run down the path of destruction.

Maybe the problem is what one calls a friend.

My daughter is awesome. I'm so proud that she thinks of me as her mom and her friend. We have shopping "dates" where we eat pretzel bites and drink smoothies when we need a break. We talk about friends, music, movies, boys, and cars (more about that later). She trusts me, and I love that she feels like I'm on her side. But I'm still the mom. I still have to say, "Go to bed. Do your school work. Be nice to your brother."

As much as some are scared by parents who want to be friends with their children, I am scared by those who think parenting and friendship are mutually exclusive. I think there's room for both. What do you think?

Ten Gifts That I've Loved

These are all things that were given to me and my family out of generosity. None of the items were "typical" presents as in birthday or Christmas. They are just items that, "Hey, I'm not using this any more, and I wondered if you could?" I believe they were given from the hand of God through the hands of His people. Thank you.

• Kitchen table and chairs
• Leather coat for me
• Ar moire used for much needed coat closet
• Very large freezer
• Dresser that's being used a china hutch
• Swimming pool
• Patio chairs
• Merry-go-round & (scare you to death) tall slide
• Clothes for Chase including snow suits, coats, shoes, cleats, pajamas...
• School Books

Ten Faraway Friends for Whom I am Thankful

Our women's bible study leader has challenged us to write ten things we're grateful for each day for seven days. No repeats. So today in honor of my friend Katara (it's her birthday), I will list ten friends I have been blessed with that I have loved and have loved me. Unfortunately, I don't live near these friends, and even though I think about them very often, I don't pick up the phone, or type the email nearly as often as I should. But when we get together, all the time apart seems minimal, and it seems like we pick right back up where we left off. Truthfully, it was hard to keep it at ten. How blessed I am.
So grateful for...
Sherry you saved my life in 10th grade by becoming my life-long friend
Ann you not only loved me, but my kids, too
Annette 12 years is too long for us to not be in touch
Jody you will never know how much your friendship helped me
Dawnelle a true friend that stood by me
Renee how hard it was to move away from you
Robi proof that a great friend can be made in a short time
Barb building into your life was a lifeline for me
Karen your fingerprints are all over my life
and of course, Katara. Happy, happy birthday my dear, sweet friend.