We're all right! Charlene's point about home not being a democracy fits right in with Selene's point about trying to be a child's "friend." Look, everyone would like to treat their children as equals and be their friend, but children don't have the maturity for that yet. I also said to myself when I was young, "I am never going to do that to my kids, 'cause I don't like this." Well, guess what? I grew up and realized that if my parents didn't do that, I wouldn't be the adult I am today. So I will do the same thing when I have kids. My message to all the parents and future parents who want to be friends with their children and give them a "say" in matters at home: THAT IS NOT YOUR JOB!!! Nobody wants to be the "bad guy", but if you are going to accept the responsibility of raising kids, then suck it up and be a parent, not a friend. You may not like it, but that is your JOB! When you are a parent, many times there is more love in one "NO" than in a thousand "YES's."
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