When did you "Grow Up?"

[Mike.Wazowski]

I know I SHOULD be feeling grown up - but what fun would that be

 

[L107ANGEL]

Not yet

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I am having issues w/ growing up! I should already feel that way (I'm 39), but I don't.

 

[budbeerlady]

I was just thinking about this on Friday. I turned 30, I always thought when I was growing up that by the time I was 30 I would have a bunch of money in the bank, feel like I was really somewhere in life. So I am going to say never, I dont think I will ever feel grown up.

 

[Fortuosity]

I haven't quite figured that part out.

 

[JunieJay]

When my mother died last year - isn't that strange?

Same for me. When my mother and father died, I officially became an orphan, even though I was an adult. I grew up instantly. Its hard to describe that emotion to people with parents still alive, but those who have lost their parents know exactly what I am talking about.

 

[JunieJay]

When I realized I was an orphan... at 46! When you turn around and there's nothing there but God to lead you, you are indeed a bonified Grown Up.

I typed my response before reading yours, but I'm not surprised we were thinking alike.

Love you cuz! We can be orphans together.

 

[chrisney]

Truly and finally grown up? When my husband suffered a heart attack far from home at the age of 45 (I was 38). Trying to manage concerned caring for him and my two small children. My priorities changed almost instantly...from things to less material goals. We were lucky...he's still here and doing well. However, I've never lost the sense that all that I most love ould be gone in an instant, and it's our charge to live each day to the fullest and love each member of my family unreservedly. Good lessons came out of a bad experience.

 

["Got Disney"]

....

....

ahhhh....

well let's see....grown up ha....well...gee...I'll just have to sit and ponder that for awhile ...I'm 49 years old know... I was once 39.. hmmm did I feel grown up then can't say I remember...menopause will do that to you...

Cant remember what age it all started ...but I feel grown up know ...but when I go to WDW, DL. or DCL...I feel like I am 5 all over again...menopause and all...

 

[blue_river]

Same for me. When my mother and father died, I officially became an orphan, even though I was an adult. I grew up instantly. Its hard to describe that emotion to people with parents still alive, but those who have lost their parents know exactly what I am talking about.

I know

It's like there is no choice. It just hits you and it hits you hard.

 

[Robinrs]

I typed my response before reading yours, but I'm not surprised we were thinking alike.

Love you cuz! We can be orphans together.

LOL, GMTA as usual....

Some club to belong to, huh? I'm still having a hard time believing it.

I was a NON grown up for YEARS, the youngest in my family, in my classes because I was skipped, I relished being a BABY....

Now I remember when Rue McClanahan said on Golden Girls eons ago: "I'm nobody's baby, anymore...."

That hurts, folks.

My job now is to become the person my son will admire and miss like I did my parents. Now THAT's a grown up thought!

 

[mill4023]

There were several life changing events that each made me feel more mature.

First, having our first child. All of a sudden, I was responsible for someone other than myself. That was a big change.

Second, when our daughter was diagnosed with cancer. She was born with a neuroblastoma and had surgery to have the tumor removed at 8 days old. We were extremely lucky that it was caught early (on a prenatal ultrasound actually) and she's doing great 9 years later. But that was the hardest thing I've ever gone through.

Third, finally getting a "real" job and starting a career at age 29. Prior to that, I worked minimum wage jobs and was a part-time "student" for years. I always felt like a kid then, even though I had kids already.

Fourth, buying our first house. We had dreamed about it for so long that when we were finally able to, it felt like we were finally part of the adult, middle-class population.

Despite all of these things, I still don't really feel like a grown-up.

 

[NMAmy]

Same for me. When my mother and father died, I officially became an orphan, even though I was an adult. I grew up instantly. Its hard to describe that emotion to people with parents still alive, but those who have lost their parents know exactly what I am talking about.

When my grandfather died when my mom was in her late 60's, she told me, "I know it's silly at my age, but I feel like an orphan." I can understand that--my mom's still alive but I was so close to my dad, I felt very lost without him. Heck, I still do.

I felt like a grownup when I got married at 22 and instantly moved to Germany. I didn't know a soul, didn't speak the language, and didn't live on post so had limited access to other military families. My ex was gone a lot and it really forced me to learn how to depend on myself. When I survived that, I knew I could handle taking care of myself as an adult in the U.S.

 

[helenabear]

When I was 16 and my mother died. I was lucky enough to still have my father, but since he traveled a lot I spent a lot of my senior year of HS kind of alone. I did have family with me when he traveled until I was 18, but after that when he was gone, it was my house.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I was grown up at a young age but I have since regressed.

 

[highland3]

I'm a 40 year old parent... and still see myself as a kid (sometimes).

 

[luckywife]

I felt grown up when my oldest son was born. I was 19 years old

 

[Cool-Beans]

It's funny how I managed to get married, have kids, take in more kids, be broke, have money, survive an attack, get much older...and never grew up.

My dad is dying and I recently realized that I haven't grown up. I still need my dad! I might as well be five years old, because the idea of him not be around, not being able to call him up and asks what he thinks, not seeing him whenever I want...scares and panics me, just like it would have then. So, I don't think about it.

But I think that will probably be the thing that drives me into the depressing, fully adult world. When I'm the grown-uppest.

I was getting ready to talk to DH about this and I said, "You know what this means?" He was supposed to say, "What?" and then I'd have told him. Instead, he said, "We're next." Odd way of looking at people's deaths.

 

[Buckalew11]

I am sorry to hear about your father, Cool-Beans. It is hard especially when you are close to your dad. I went to my dad for most everything. We could just talk and talk. He was special about just listening and not having the need to fix it. My mom is a fixer so it is not the same.

Hugs to everyone who has lost loved ones and felt thrown into adulthood.

My bestfriend and I have had this same conversation, wondering when will we feel grown up? I doubt I ever will. I am a big kid at heart. I just don't think I'll grow up before "I'm next".

 

[ashjohnson80]

I was grown up at a young age but I have since regressed.

I feel like I'm regressing actually.