I have come to realize you can’t be your child's best friend if you want to be a responsible parent.

You can be their friend but also their leader. Because that is how you build a bond with them while instilling the values they need in life. Children don't take their best friends seriously.

Some mothers would rather neglect their duties and have their children learn by error, even when the children are underage.

But a responsible mother knows that will only set the child up for failure and most times irreversible mistakes in life.

As parents we owe it to our children to guide them as long as they are dependent on us.