Can You Be Friends With Your Parents?

With Elliot & Stella

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Can parents and teens be friends and understand each other?

Elliot - I don’t think it’s easy for parents and teens to be friends. There’s just too much difference in how they grew up, what they experienced, and what we go through now. Things like social media and phones change everything.

Stella - I get what you’re saying, but I still think it’s possible if both sides are open to it. Sure, parents might not understand everything we deal with, but they can still be there for us, and that’s what counts. You don’t have to be on the same page about everything to have a close relationship.

Right, I just feel like parents can’t really relate to the pressures we face. I mean, when they were our age, they didn’t have the same tech or social pressures we have now. I sometimes wonder if they really get it.

Yeah, things are definitely different now, but I think there’s still room to connect. Not on everything, but maybe on the bigger life stuff. I mean, our parents have been through their own challenges, just in a different way. It’s not about them getting every little thing we’re going through, but being there when it counts. They are also exposed to social media too, which although different to what we experience, would have to have its challenges for them too.

Do friendships with parents cause issues?

I think friendships with parents can cause issues if they don’t keep things private. For example, if you tell them something and then they share it with other people, that can totally mess things up, as well as make you lose trust in them.

Yeah, that’s definitely one of the big risks. If you’re close with your parents, there’s always that chance they might accidentally share something you didn’t want to get out. That’s what makes it tricky to be friends with them.

Exactly. If they can keep things between you and them, then it can work. But if they’re the type to tell everyone what’s going on in your life, that can be a problem. It’s not just about them sharing your secrets, but also about how you feel when your privacy gets crossed.

Should parents always be the boss?

I don’t think parents should always be the boss. There has to be some kind of balance. They’re there to guide you and help make decisions, but you should still have some say in your own life. It’s not like you’re a little kid anymore.

Yeah, I think parents should definitely take charge in certain situations—like making big decisions that affect your safety and guide you in your education. But it shouldn’t always be one-sided. We should be able to have opinions and make some choices for ourselves too.

Exactly. It’s about mutual respect. Parents can’t just dictate everything. They need to listen to you and take what you say seriously, too. It helps when they’re open-minded about it, instead of just assuming they know what’s best.

Does being friends with your parents help build trust?

I think it can. If you’re able to talk to your parents about what’s going on in your life and they listen, then trust naturally builds. But if they don’t listen or respect your privacy, it’s harder to build that trust. It’s about both sides working at it.

I agree. Trust is key, and it’s easier to build if you feel comfortable sharing stuff with them. But, honestly, I don’t think you need to tell your parents everything to trust them. It’s more about knowing that, when you need them, they’ll be there for you.

Yeah, exactly. It’s about knowing that you can have that open conversation if you need it, but also understanding that not everything has to be shared. Trust doesn’t always mean complete transparency, just that you can rely on them when it matters. I think it is normal not to tell someone everything about you.

Is it strange to tell your parents everything?

For me, yeah, it feels a little strange. There are certain things, like stuff with friends or things happening at school, that I just don’t feel comfortable talking about. I don’t know why, but some things feel like they’re just for me, not for my parents.

Yeah, that is odd to me, it sounds like a lot of that is in your head. However, I do understand what you are trying to say. There are definitely some things I don’t want to tell my parents, and it’s not because I don’t trust them. It’s just that sometimes you feel like certain things are just for your friends or yourself. It’s not always easy to share everything with them.

Right. Like, I trust my parents, but I still don’t want to tell them everything. It’s not about keeping secrets—it’s just that some parts of your life are meant to stay private, you know?

Yeah, it’s a balance. You want to be close with them, but at the same time, there are just some things that feel awkward to share. It’s normal.

Do most teens want to keep some distance from their parents?

I think most teens do, yeah. It’s natural to want your space as you get older. You want to do things on your own, without your parents hovering over you all the time. It’s not that you don’t care about them, it’s just about having your own life.

Yeah, exactly. As you grow up, you start to need more space. You’re figuring out who you are, and part of that is being able to make your own decisions without someone constantly telling you what to do.

Right. It’s not about cutting them out of your life, it’s about finding that balance. You still care about them and want a relationship, but it looks different than when you were younger. I think when I am older, I will actually become closer to my parents, which I really want.

Yeah but as life gets busier—especially when you start working or going to university—it gets harder to stay as close. But that doesn’t mean you should lose touch. You just have to make an effort to stay connected in different ways.

Things change as you get older, but that doesn’t mean you have to drift apart. It’s more about adjusting to the new phase of life.