'The View' Hosts Stir Up Debate About Whether You Should Treat Kids Like Friends

Should parents be friends with their kids? That question became a hot topic of discussion on the latest episode of The View.

Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin shared opposing views. During their conversation, Hostin opined that she doesn't think it's a good idea to try to be your children's friend.

She noted, "I have seen a lot of friends make that mistake and then, when you've gotta put the hammer down, they're looking at you like, 'You're my best friend and you broke my heart.' And so I have tried very hard, even with adult children, not to be their friend."

She used her dynamic with her 17-year-old daughter Paloma as an example, sharing that the teen was unhappy with her because, while running late to school, the mom had to remind her that it was important to get to school on time.

Goldberg, who has a 50-year-old daughter named Alex, pointed out, "But that's not an adult yet." Hostin stood by her views, explaining that her 21-year-old son Gabriel is an adult, but he's treated the same way as Paloma.

The Ghost star then spoke from her personal experience as a mother: "Listen — you will find that you have to become friends with your children, but only after they pass the point where they have to take care of themselves. That is important."

When Hostin said that she will never treat her own mother like her friend, Goldberg responded, "Oh that's too bad, I'm sad to hear that." When Hostin explained that it's because she has a "certain…I don't want to call it respect—but there's a thing…," the 67-year-old interjected, "Oh no, child. You haven't gotten to that place yet."

The EGOT winner ended her comments by saying, "Rather than try to convince you—'cause I don't really care that deeply—I'm just going to say to you: You'll know it when it happens."

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