'I'm her best friend'

[Pebbles16]

I really try not to judge my friends' relationships with their children (I don't have them - children, I do have some friends!). But I feel really uneasy with this comment which I heard twice today. One a mum to a 20-something, and one to a teen.
May be I am wrong, but I would think that parents being a child's best friend is a bit 'stunting'? Parents should be somewhat 'in charge' which does not equal best friend territory; and also, how does anyone navigate talking about life without a third party's perspective? (or did I just have crap parents that I didn't adore enough?)
For context, I have never had a best friend, I have close friends I can talk to, but not that exclusive bond.
Looking at that, it's probably me, but I do cringe at the notion that mums are best friends rather than parents.

I wish there was a like button!

Just asked dd (23) and she said of course not, that would be weird, you're my mum.

My nearly 16 year old often describes me as her best friend. I also view her as one by of mine. We both have our own best friends from school. This doesn't mean we are odd, needy or in anyway not mum and daughter. We just laugh at the same things, enjoy each other's company but also have mutual respect for each other. Best friends are not just one one person in one situation- we love each other equally as mum and daughter and as best friends. Hope that makes sense!

I've used this to describe myself as DD's (14) best friend but I meant it more in the sense that I will always be there to help and support her. I want her to have close friends of her own independent of me. For me it just means there is no one else in the world who would put her (and her sister) as my absolute top priority and keeps their interests closer than my own. I would feel really weird I think if she said it to me - unlikely.

It’s a different relationship though even when adults. However well you get on it’s not an equal dynamic and is entirely different to a friendship with a peer.

There’s an unspoken thing that my sisters and I protect our parents. They didn’t need to know the ins and outs of our twenty something lives or our work worries now. Would just worry them as they really care unlike friends who care but not in that visceral way.