It was clear with us: when the children were small, I was a mother, not a friend. Only when they grew up did we start talking more like friends, but even then I knew how to say "no" when I needed to. The article reminded me of those evenings when I had to turn off the computer at 10 pm and endure my anger. And you, how did you draw that line?
It was similar with us - when they were little, it was clearly their mother, not their friend. I've also shut down my computer at 10pm a few times and endured the silence afterwards, so I'm glad you mentioned it. And when they grew up, was it difficult for you to switch to that friendly tone or did it come naturally?
It was similar with us, Dusan. When they grew up, the friendly tone came naturally, but I had to be careful not to start complaining about my problems to them like a friend. And you, have you been able to relax or do you still turn on that strict dad mode sometimes?
It was the same with us - when they were little, it was clear that I was the father, not the partner, and I turned off the computers without much discussion. When they grew up, the friendly tone came naturally, although it took me a little longer to get used to it than my mother. And you, Dusan, have you ever felt that your children now talk too openly about things that they would have kept to themselves before?
It was similar with us, Stevan. My husband remained strict for a long time, and I was the first to relax when the girls started high school. Now sometimes they tell me too much about boys and school dramas, so I have to remember to say "I don't need to know that". And you, have you ever had to tell them to keep something between them?
Maria, I completely agree - that transition to a friendly tone really comes on its own when they grow up. I've relaxed a lot, but I still sometimes go into "strict dad mode" when I see them coming home late or skipping errands. And you, have you ever had to tell them "now I'm a mother, not a friend"?
Yes, Dragan, that's right - that "strict dad mode" still kicks in for me when I see kids skipping homework or being late for practice. I once had to tell my older son "I'm a mother now, not a friend" when he tried to convince me to skip the church service because he had a game. And you, how old are your children now?
It's similar here, Stevan. When my sons grew up, they started telling me about girls and some things from college, so I got a little confused and told them to keep some details to themselves. And have you ever had to tell them "enough, it's my job to take care of, not yours"?
Dragan, that's right, that "strict dad mode" is still activated when I see that my daughter is skipping household chores. I once told her "I'm a mother now, not a friend" when she wanted to skip getting ready for fame because she was tired of tailoring. And you, how many children do you have?
My older daughter is 28, and my younger daughter, Marko, is 25, so now there are no more conflicts about tasks and training.
But I remember exactly that moment when I had to say "now I'm a mother, not a friend" - in our case it was around the late return from the church choir.
Are you still having those "strict dad mode" episodes or has it calmed down?
Radmila, you are absolutely right, that "mother, not friend" moment is sometimes necessary. I had to tell my son the same thing when he wanted to skip preparing the room before the ceremony because he was "tired of playing". And you, does your daughter help you more regularly around the house now or do you still need a reminder?
Dragan, that "strict dad mode" really made me laugh. It's the same with us - my son sometimes skips taking out the trash when he's playing, so I tell him that fame is no excuse for laziness. And you, how many children do you have?
