Thanks to technology, my two and a half month old daughter moved out yesterday… out of Mommy and Daddy’s room that is. It’s for the best too.

The tech is a wonderful little flat screne t.v. that connects wirelessly to a camera over my daughters crib. It’s equipped with night vision and super sonic hearing. Seriously, with the volume turned up even a little, whispers sound like yelling. So I can see and hear everything that goes on in there.

Which begs the question: when do I take it out of my daughter’s room? I was thinking sometime after she moved out of the house for good. That way her Mom or I could always keep an eye on her. Sure, when she hits adolescence she will be a little put off by the whole thing, but I think at the end of the day she will thank us because we have her best interests in mind. (Side note: I haven’t actually discussed this whole plan with my wife yet. So let’s keep it on the DL.)

But we have discussed parenting. Now I’m kinda new at the parenting thing. I’ve only been in the game for two years, but one thing is very obvious: We are not our kids’ friends. What!? Ya that’s right. My responsibility is not to be Kai and Mikayla’s friend. It is to be their parent. And while the camera might be overkill, questioning my child’s motives, where abouts, choice of friends, and decisions is definitely in my job description.

As a pastor I don’t know how many youth and young adults have told me with regret, “My mom/dad was too busy trying to be my friend while I was growing up. They let me do whatever. So now I have to carry around this (insert crappy garbage from the past here) and I feel awful.”

Don’t take this on my experience as a parent. Take this on my experience as a pastor and minister. If you carry the title “parent” on your resume, remember: your kid already has friends. What they truly need is a parent.

Do you agree?