This study investigated parents' experiences of closeness in their interactions with their children in middle childhood. Structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with mothers and fathers from 23 families (46 participants) with children aged between 7 and 11 years (M = 9.2 years). Qualitative analyses indicated that parents' experiences of close interactions were consistent with an underlying construct of parent-child intimacy. Parents reported that they experienced closeness predominantly during interactions where they perceived mutuality and shared pleasure. Parents were strategic in creating both intimate interactions and contexts for intimacy. Children were perceived to contribute to intimacy by initiating and responding to parental bids for intimate interactions. (Contains 3 tables.)