Updated: Aug. 21, 2023
Originally Published: May 11, 2010
“It’s not faaaiiir!” my 9-year-old whined the other day. “You get to do all the fun stuff because you’re a grown-up, and we miss out because we’re kids!”
Well, duh! Of course, I do. I mean, that’s how the deal goes down, kiddo. Me: adult. You: child. Clearly, I’ve got the upper hand here.
Honestly, I enjoy being an adult. It’s pretty cool. Well, most of the time, at least—unless bills are due, or I have to face the daily grind of work, or, you know, that pesky “real life” thing.
But as I witness the torturous tween years my daughter is starting to navigate, I can’t help but think that being an adult really is better than being a kid. Just consider all the awesome things we get to do:
- Eat whatever we want. Sure, that could mean broccoli, but let’s be real—it definitely means chocolate. Before dinner, after dinner, or even for dinner! Plus, we get to deal with the consequences, like strategically avoiding pants with less than 25% lycra content.
- Stay up late and have our own “parties.” You know, those wild raves that happen after the kids are in bed. It’s a real blast—like the one time I fell asleep on the couch with my laptop on my lap. Party time!
- No screen time restrictions. Just endless worry about whether my phone is frying my brain while I procrastinate on what I should be doing instead of scrolling through Pinterest. But hey, at least I’m an informed consumer, right?
- Work. A lot. Or sometimes not at all. Or maybe work from home. But really, when it comes down to it, it’s all about making money to pay bills. And then making more money to pay even more bills. But hey, we get to have fun too!
- Hit the dance floor. You know, at nightclubs where we hang out during our endless free time. Just kidding—I can’t remember the last time I went to a club. Definitely not at the country club, that’s for sure.
- Drive. Usually with a car full of noisy little humans. Let’s not forget about all the rules we have to follow—like speed limits, parking, insurance, and making sure those oil changes don’t slip our minds.
- Wear what we like. As long as it’s not too short, too long, too trendy, too old-fashioned, or—heaven forbid—uncomfortable.
- Use bad words. Whenever and however we want—just not in front of Grandma, or the kids, or when they won’t be quiet. So basically, only when we’re around other adults, which is a rare occurrence.
- Enjoy grown-up drinks. To celebrate, cope, or just because it’s a day ending in “y.” Also, let’s not forget to learn about the importance of B vitamins, Bloody Marys, and the one-for-one rule.
- Go on vacations. And figure out all the decisions that come with them. Then appreciate the feedback from family about those decisions. Be grateful for the temporary sponsorship visa offered to enjoy the trip. And of course, return home with a ton of selfies that are missing crucial body parts.
- Be in charge. No one can tell us what to do—except bosses, our parents, and, well, basically everyone. So, yes, we’re still just big kids trying to take control!
- Parent. At the end of the day, there’s nothing I cherish more than being a mom. It’s the most rewarding job I’ll ever have, and there’s nothing more significant than being there for my little ones.
So, I suppose what I’m really saying is that being an adult isn’t as terrible as I thought it was. Maybe I owe my kiddo a few apologies after all.
If you’re curious about the journey of parenthood and the choices that come with it, you can find more insights at home insemination kit and this helpful resource on pregnancy. Also, for those navigating their fertility journey, check out Couples Fertility Journey.
Summary:
Being an adult has its perks that outweigh the struggles of childhood, from the freedom to eat whatever we want to enjoying the joys of parenthood. While we face responsibilities and societal expectations, the ability to make our own choices and embrace our roles as parents makes the adult life quite rewarding.