:: one day in Tokyo, I was talking with my daughter, and having quite a bit of laugh together. Then I realized that our tour guide, Yumi-san, has been looking at us and grinning widely.

So she came to us, "Hi, you seem to be having fun??"

Me : (a bit confused) um, yes? We're just talking about something 🙂

Yumi-san : So lovely! In Japan, the daughter will usually went out from home when she grew up, and come back later as stranger.

Me : um, what the….. yes?

Yumi-san : So great that you're best friend with your daughter !

Me : ah… thanks?

And then she cheerfully went to talk with the others while smiling at us. I was still quite flabbergasted, but grinning too because of that funny conversation 🙂

Anyway, I always try my best to let my children know, that they can talk to me about anything. And I mean #any thing.

And yes, I ended up quite shocked quite a lot of times, LOL. But, I'd rather be shocked, than to have them depend on others / strangers.

In the process, I try to make it as fun as possible to them. Basically, I'd be their best friend. At least I'll always try.

Some people will probably say that it's really great.
However, I've seen some really great parents, and I know that being their best friend is not enough.

You'll also have to be the best parent for them.

This means that you'll have to make rules, and enforce them. Even if it breaks your heart.
You'll have to become a teacher, teaching about the real life to them. How hard it is, and how to handle it. And so on.

So I know that I'm not yet a great parent. I still have a lot to learn. It's a lot of effort & pain.

But that doesn't mean we can't make it fun 🙂

Enjoy the process, the struggle. Look at the wonderful little things happening around. Then suddenly, everything doesn't feel so heavy anymore. Suddenly, everything become possible.

Try your best, and enjoy.

Have fun !