The other day, my 9-year-old son, Liam, whined, “It’s not faaaaaiiiirrrrrrr! You get to do all the fun things because you’re an adult, and we can’t do that because we’re just kids!”
Well, no kidding, Sherlock. That’s how the world is structured, kiddo. Me: an adult. You: a child. Clearly, I’m the one winning here.
And you know what? I do enjoy being grown-up. It’s pretty great — well, most of the time, unless I’m staring down a mountain of bills, trudging into work, or facing the realities of everyday life.
However, as I witness the cringe-worthy tween years that Liam is entering, I can confidently say that adulthood is far superior to childhood. Just consider the array of experiences we enjoy:
- Culinary Freedom: We can indulge in whatever food we desire. Yes, even if that includes broccoli, but especially when it’s chocolate — before dinner, after, or even as dinner itself. And yes, we manage the consequences, like avoiding pants that are less than 25% lycra.
- Late Nights and Entertainment: We can stay up late, throw parties, and watch whatever we want on TV. Admittedly, when the kids are in bed, it’s not exactly a wild party; I often find myself dozing off on the couch with my laptop, but still, the freedom is there.
- Unlimited Screen Time: We don’t have limits on our screen time, though we often stress about how our phones may be affecting our brains. Sometimes, I think about how I should be a better role model for Liam and his sister. But hey, I’m an informed consumer, which counts for something, right?
- Employment and Income: We work — a lot. Whether it’s at an office or remotely, we are constantly juggling tasks. And yes, we earn real money to pay bills and fund fun experiences, only to find ourselves paying even more bills.
- Social Outings: We can hit the town (when we somehow find free time) — at least in theory. Concerts, nightclubs, and fancy gatherings are all part of the adult life that we rarely engage in.
- Driving: We get to drive, often filled with noisy little ones in the backseat. Plus, we must follow the rules, find parking, pay for gas, and remember all those pesky maintenance tasks like oil changes, tire checks, and brake replacements.
- Fashion Choices: We can wear whatever we want, provided it’s not too short, long, tight, loose, old, new, or uncomfortable. That’s a lot of rules for “freedom,” isn’t it?
- Expressing Ourselves: We can use colorful language anytime we want — just not around Grandma, the kids, or our parents. So basically, that leaves us with very few opportunities to let loose.
- Adult Beverages: We can enjoy grown-up drinks to celebrate, unwind, or even just because it’s a day ending in “y.” We’ve also learned the importance of B vitamins and the one-for-one drink rule.
- Vacation Planning: We take vacations, making all the decisions and learning to appreciate feedback from family. Then we document the fun, only to return home with a collection of selfies missing key body parts.
- Authority: We’re in charge, or so we like to think. In reality, many people — including bosses, parents, and society at large — still have a say in what we do, reminding us that we’re often just big kids trying to be in control.
- Parenting: Ultimately, there’s nothing I cherish more than being a parent. It’s a role I hold dear, and there’s no job I’d rather have than being a mother to my incredible children.
So, in conclusion, being an adult isn’t all that bad. In fact, I might owe my son a few apologies for my earlier rants about the trials of growing up.
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Summary: Being an adult comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities, but it also offers numerous freedoms and joys that make it worthwhile. From culinary choices to late-night entertainment and the joys of parenting, adulthood is a unique experience, despite its occasional downsides.