​My best advice to new parents (and not so new ones) is that you are your child's parent, not their friend. You need to set boundaries from the beginning. As a parent, a grandparent, and a former teacher, I know for sure that you can always "loosen up", but once you have been a pal, it is hard to reverse that role and set boundaries. I am not, by any means, saying that you should be mean, just that kids need boundaries, routines, and responsibility.