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the kids table

Being a grown-up: expectation versus reality

Remember what you thought being an adult was like as a kid? Yeah. About that…

WHEN WE WERE kids, we wanted nothing more than to be a grown-up.

(But of course now that we’re adults, we want nothing more than to recapture our childhoods.)

Remember how great being an adult seemed when you were a chizzler? Kids really do have an idealised view of the importance and freedom of being a big old grown-up.

EXPECTATION: “When I grow up I’ll stay up all night!”

REALITY: Once you get in from work, you’re gagging for your bed. In fact, your bed is your best friend. You’re lucky if you make it past 10pm some nights.

EXPECTATION: “When I have kids I’ll let them have whatever they want!”

REALITY: Oh, as IF.

EXPECTATION: ”I’m going to have ice cream for dinner when I’m an adult!”

REALITY: Ice cream for dinner? Are you mad? You’re already packing on the pounds. And think of the expense of it. Dear me, no.

EXPECTATION: ”No one will be able to tell me what to do!”

REALITY: In fact, rather a lot of people tell you what to do these days. Bosses, society, spouses… The list goes on.

EXPECTATION: ”I’m gonna eat sweets all day long!”

REALITY: Think of the dentist bills. And anyway, we quite like finishing our hearty sensible meat and two veg dinners now.

EXPECTATION: ”When I’m an adult, I’ll see my friends EVERY day!”

REALITY: Trying to see friends these days requires military precision planning and schedule hustling. We long for the days of knocking down for a friend.

Don’t grow up. It’s a trap.

Read: Life as a twenty-something: What people think versus reality>

Read: The things we miss most about childhood bedtimes>

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