My son is now 14, and as I have intimated to all of you before, my daughter is 8 going on 18. Slowly, their social circle expands, their interests expand and parental roles take on new meaning. Statistically, more and more, I can see that facts show that the parent changes just as much as the child. As teens grow, parents work more hours, separation and divorce rates climb, nuclear families begin to separate and all parties often become selfish. Teens have friends, interests, jobs, cars, school, tests, weekends, night life, etc.
Parents have friends, interests, jobs, cars, etc.
The truth is, both teens and adults have taken opportunities to chose their own road instead of maintaining the direction of togetherness. When younger, the parent acknowledges the child needs them. There is a sense of desire and reward from the interactions. Depending on the status of the family, perhaps from work, the parent goes straight to do food shopping, or visit friends, or who knows what else. The answer is no.