So many girls that I know always tell me about how their mom is their best friend. I always find it odd and unusual because I really can't relate to them.

My mom has always been very strict and protective of me since I was born. She has always given me a curfew, monitored my social media accounts and kept an eye on the friends that I hung out with. This has always made me mad because it made me think that she never trusted me.

I still have many rules that my mother sets for me, even as an adult. I have to be home before midnight, no partying and no texting and driving: the usual stuff.

It took me a while to realize that she wasn't being strict with me just because she was my mom, she was being strict with me because she wanted me to learn right from wrong. She wants to see me get as much potential out of my life as possible, so she tries to prevent anything getting in the way of that.

I often get frustrated and upset with her when she tells me obvious rules that I already know, but I know that she does this only because she is concerned.

I love my mom more than words can describe, but I never thought of her as my "friend". I always thought of my friends as the girls that I hang out with on the weekends or my best friends that I have known since grade school.

I have always thought of my mom as my mother.

It seems so weird when I see moms who are very easy-going on their children, letting them stay out late and not tell them what they may be doing that day.

I'm not saying that my mom is a dictator and must know every step I take and every breath that I breathe, but I always like to inform her when I'm doing something to let her know what's going on and put her mind at ease.

I'm glad that I have grown up with my mom as my mother first and friend second.

Our relationship is still really fun!

One good thing about my mother is that I know if I need advice about something that she will always give me an honest answer, even if I don't want to hear what she has to say at times. I trust her experience with a certain situation and I know that she will always lead my down the right path.

I'm thankful that my mother was strict with me. She has helped shape me into the woman that I want to be. She taught me right from wrong and to make the best choices to benefit my life. My mom has always told me that she's my mother first and my friend second. Her first responsibility is to love and raise me to be the best person that I can be.

I'm glad my mom isn't my best friend.

I'm glad that my mom is the most amazing mom that I could ever ask for.