What's on Your Kid's Mind Today?
by Jessica Gilstrap, LMHC Recently I was asked to speak at one of our local high schools here in Orlando and spent time with a group of 9th – 12th graders (14-17). The topic of our discussion was centered on family systems and family dynamics. During our time together, they posed many interesting questions relating to families and family relationships. I wanted to take some time and share some of these questions with you and discuss what was on the minds of these particular adolescents that day. 1. Should parents and kids be real close friends/best friends? Surprisingly, the answer is No. Parents are not called to be their child’s best friend; they are to be their parents. I often talk with parents who think that it is better to just be their child’s friend or pal; this is just not the case. Children yearn for rules and boundaries; they want to know what they can and cannot do. It brings children to a level of security when they know that they are operating within a framework of expect