by Linda Joyce

Created on: May 17, 2009   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

When I was a child, I couldn't wait to grow up. It seemed so exciting. I had it all planned out. I would do what I wanted, no one would make me go to bed early, and if I wanted ice cream and cake for dinner, no one could stop me. Oh, if being a grown-up were only that easy!

I found out soon enough that growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be.

So, to all of you who can't wait to be on your own, read on:

Look at your mom and dad. Do they look tired? Are they short-tempered with you at times? Do they disagree with almost everything you say? Well, these are all symptoms of being an adult.

You see, growing up doesn't only mean you get to do all the fun things you've always wanted to do. It means responsibility, too, and lots of it.

Getting back to the look of tiredness on your parents' faces, don't you realize that it's from not only having to take care of you, provide everything you need, look after a house and all its problems, but from having to work full-time jobs just to keep everything going? That's a huge responsibility, in case you never realized it.

Along with responsibility, comes decision-making. Here's a no-brainer test: should a person pay their car payment on time or spend the money on a wild weekend in Mexico? If you chose the weekend, you are a kid, not an adult. Good decision-making abilities come from years of trial and error. Most of us adults weren't great at it at first, and neither will you be. But time will change that, and you will some day find yourself able to make a good decision in most cases.

Coping with disappointment and failure is another thing you will face on your own as a grown-up. Doesn't sound like fun, does it? Well, it's not, but remember someone once said "that which doesn't kill me only makes me stronger," or something to that effect, and it is more or less true.

You might get fired and feel like a failure, but you can't just roll up in a ball, especially if you have others relying on you for everything. This is a time to find the strength to carry on and hit the pavement (or the Internet) in the quest for a new work situation. You may feel depressed and disappointed in how life is treating you, but you don't have the luxury of time to wallow in what has happened to you.

Trying out relationships is another area of adulthood which you will face. You may think you have the girl of your dreams and that all is going fine when she suddenly tells you she's interested in your best friend. Bring out those coping mechanisms again! You will look back after a few years and wonder what you ever saw in her in the first place.

Let's face it, there are many times in life you will wish you were a child again so you wouldn't have to face the stuff that is hitting the fan; but when that happens, you must remember that it was your biggest desire as a youngster to be grown-up, and now you are.

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