There’s no bond as beautiful and strong as friendship. It goes on for a longer time than any other relationship. Friendship, to a large extent, moulds a child’s behaviour and character.

That’s why you should always be careful about the kind of friends that your child chooses to be with. So becoming your child’s best friend yourself always sounds like a very good idea. It’s also a great way to inculcate good habits and helps you to understand your child better. Here are a few ways, out of many, through which you can try to be your child’s best friend.

1) Play with them: There’s no child who does not love to play. If your child loves a game that requires another partner, never think twice before becoming that partner. It will not only help him see you in a new light but also bridge any gap in your mutual relationship.

2) Watch their favourite movies together: Children love their movies. From animation to adventure, depending upon their taste, they have a long list of their favourite movies. Watch as many as you can with them. It will make them think that you share their taste in movies and bring you a step closer to each other.

3) Take them to their favourite place: Children love to hang around too! Ask them where they want to go on the weekends. Let them plan a holiday. You can put forward some options, but always let them make a choice. It tells them that you value their opinion and preferences.

4) Involve them in day to day work: A lot of things happen in a home every day. Let your child be a part of it. Ask them how they want to help you. Take them out for grocery shopping or have them help you clean the house. This way you will be able to do something and spend some time together.

5) Appreciate their efforts: Children feel really good when their efforts get appreciated. If you want to be their best friend, keep appreciating them whenever they do something good. It will fill them with confidence and they will keep up the good work too.

6) Cook the food they love: If you want to be your child’s best friend, go through their stomach. Often cook the food they love the most. Share the recipe with them and involve them in the cooking process. Eat it together and tell them how good their choice of food is.

7) Don’t just ask, share: Right from ‘how did the school go’ to ‘who’s that friend of yours’, parents ask a lot of questions. It’s time to give it a break and start sharing with them. Tell them how your day was when you get a chance. Talk about what you like, how you were at different things when young, and anything that you think they will listen to. Just don’t make it sound boring.

8) Leave them alone: Though you always feel the need to keep an eye on your child, it’s sometimes better to leave them alone. Children, no matter what age they are, need their space. So once in a while just leave them alone and let them be on their own.

It does not actually take much to be your child’s best friend. A little effort, smartness and knowing exactly what your child expects from a friend, can put you right there. Just focus on what your child is looking for and be that person. When a parent becomes his child’s best friend, their bond only gets stronger with time.