President's Perspective: Growing up is hard to do
So I'm sitting at home the other day, and the doorbell rings. I figure, why not, and get up and answer it. Lo and behold that was a mistake! Door to door salesman….ugh.
So I try to quickly solve the problem by saying “my parents aren't home” and the gentleman says “You live with your parents?” Embarrassed, I knew he could see right through my scheme that in fact, I do not live with them. So unfortunately…that was an awkward way to end my day.
But I got to thinking. Before I moved out, I used to always blame “my parents not being home” on why I could not help a salesman, or “no, I'm actually not 18” to those on the phone wanting to sell me goodness knows what. But now, what am I going to use as an excuse?
I told a friend about my concerns and she says to me (seriously) “Didn't you get the memo? You're an adult.”
Well now, hang on a second. I am 23. And I don't remember signing up for this! Since when is 23 considered an adult? There are many people are 23 who are still in school, still live at home, are single, are only working part time, and there are more reasons why 23 is not an adult.
But thinking back, this has been a long time coming. I have not had my mommy and daddy's backs to hide behind for awhile. Loyalty cards at stores, people trying to up-sell products to me, handing all my own bank accounts, trying to make sense of my own bills, applying for loans at the bank, paying for a car, paying for things to get fixed on my car, cleaning my own washrooms, making choices about what groceries you want to buy, making sure there is toilet paper/shampoo/Kleenex and all those other things you parents used to buy and you have no idea where they can be found, but it doesn't matter, because your parents figure it out. And keep it stocked!!!
And the biggest personal change? When I leave the house, NO ONE IS WAVING GOODBYE! As much as I thought it was lame before, because my parents and family wave even if you are leaving for five minutes to get a chocolate bar, I miss no one waving to me whenever I leave, especially when it is for an overnight trip. Who knew what I was missing until it was gone?
But this seems like a negative side to things. There is a positive side as well. When you are treated like an adult, it feels very liberating. The topics that are suddenly discussed with you are mature. And though five years ago you would have rolled your eyes, wondering why adults were trying to talk to you about these things, now you can't wait to talk about your new dishes!
People no longer ask you if you were sick after all the drinking on Saturday night, they ask you if your grass is coming in nicely. They don't ask if you were able to hook-up with the hot waiter from the restaurant, they ask if you think he might propose soon, and if so, have you picked out your dress?
And the coolest part…..you totally get to call everyone by their first name! Come on…that never gets old. But it still feels weird.
I think it is important to recognize that though I didn't receive the “memo” on becoming an adult, it sort of found its way into my life, regardless of whether or not I accepted the invitation.
Gone are the days when your parents pay for every meal you have at a restaurant, or “Daddy, can I have some money for shopping?” is still cute. But granted, all your teen life you complained about not getting treated like an adult. Trust me. The day will come when all you get treated like is an adult. And when the day finally comes, you are going to wish you didn't have to drive yourself to fight your parking ticket in court.
So I try to quickly solve the problem by saying “my parents aren't home” and the gentleman says “You live with your parents?” Embarrassed, I knew he could see right through my scheme that in fact, I do not live with them. So unfortunately…that was an awkward way to end my day.
But I got to thinking. Before I moved out, I used to always blame “my parents not being home” on why I could not help a salesman, or “no, I'm actually not 18” to those on the phone wanting to sell me goodness knows what. But now, what am I going to use as an excuse?
I told a friend about my concerns and she says to me (seriously) “Didn't you get the memo? You're an adult.”
Well now, hang on a second. I am 23. And I don't remember signing up for this! Since when is 23 considered an adult? There are many people are 23 who are still in school, still live at home, are single, are only working part time, and there are more reasons why 23 is not an adult.
But thinking back, this has been a long time coming. I have not had my mommy and daddy's backs to hide behind for awhile. Loyalty cards at stores, people trying to up-sell products to me, handing all my own bank accounts, trying to make sense of my own bills, applying for loans at the bank, paying for a car, paying for things to get fixed on my car, cleaning my own washrooms, making choices about what groceries you want to buy, making sure there is toilet paper/shampoo/Kleenex and all those other things you parents used to buy and you have no idea where they can be found, but it doesn't matter, because your parents figure it out. And keep it stocked!!!
And the biggest personal change? When I leave the house, NO ONE IS WAVING GOODBYE! As much as I thought it was lame before, because my parents and family wave even if you are leaving for five minutes to get a chocolate bar, I miss no one waving to me whenever I leave, especially when it is for an overnight trip. Who knew what I was missing until it was gone?
But this seems like a negative side to things. There is a positive side as well. When you are treated like an adult, it feels very liberating. The topics that are suddenly discussed with you are mature. And though five years ago you would have rolled your eyes, wondering why adults were trying to talk to you about these things, now you can't wait to talk about your new dishes!
People no longer ask you if you were sick after all the drinking on Saturday night, they ask you if your grass is coming in nicely. They don't ask if you were able to hook-up with the hot waiter from the restaurant, they ask if you think he might propose soon, and if so, have you picked out your dress?
And the coolest part…..you totally get to call everyone by their first name! Come on…that never gets old. But it still feels weird.
I think it is important to recognize that though I didn't receive the “memo” on becoming an adult, it sort of found its way into my life, regardless of whether or not I accepted the invitation.
Gone are the days when your parents pay for every meal you have at a restaurant, or “Daddy, can I have some money for shopping?” is still cute. But granted, all your teen life you complained about not getting treated like an adult. Trust me. The day will come when all you get treated like is an adult. And when the day finally comes, you are going to wish you didn't have to drive yourself to fight your parking ticket in court.
