Almost Adult

I had a very cute little girl talking to me today in a used book store that I love. She came up to me and wanted to touch my skirt because it's so pretty. She then complimented me on my toes and my rings. She asked if I had children, and if I wanted them. She told me I must be a princess because I'm so pretty. It was an interesting conversation, not the least bit because I answered that yes I do want kids with my boyfriend standing not too far from me. My reply to that question was yes I do want kids, but I think I might wait until I'm a little older. I was told that I am already an adult.

It's a strange thing to be told that you are considered an adult, especially when you don't feel that old. For all the grey hair that I have, I really am still very much so a teenager and I like it! I don't want that taken away from me and being told that I have to grow up. On so many levels I could be considered to have already become an adult. Legally, I am. I have passed the age of consent and I can now vote. My job requires me to take responsibility for other peoples lives in the form of administering medication and arranging for transportation. I have lived more or less on my own for the past two years and have survived that. I suppose that in some ways I am now an adult. I'm looking for adult relationships and not really interested in things that will simply last for a few months. I want to be taken seriously in the "real" world, but at the same time, I don't think I will.

Earlier this summer I was told by my head of house to take charge more often. I was reminded that I am capable of doing much more than I think I can, but I continue to doubt myself in so many ways. According to two of the girls I babysit, I am an adult. They are allowed to be on the dock when I am with with them because I am old enough. I nearly had a heart attack when I heard them call me an adult though. I may want to be part of the adult world. I think I really do at some points in my life, but I still want to be a kid. I was serious when I was younger and now I want to have my childhood back. That's the only problem with becoming an adult. You seem to be forced to choose one world or the other. You don't get to be both. You can either take responsibility for your life or allow others to take it for you. When you stop asking your parents advice all the time (or for money all the time) that's when you can really become an adult. When you are sure enough in yourself to be sure of what you are doing, or are able to say that you don't and mean it, that's when you become more of an adult.

There is no specific age that makes you an adult. Legalities aside, most of the teenagers I know are not ready to become adults. They are not ready to be pushed out into the real world and still rely heavily on the opinion of those around them. To be an adult certainly doesn't mean dealing with everything alone, but it does mean that you don't depend on the opinions of others for what you are going to do with your life. You have the power to take control and when you do, that's when you stop being an almost adult and really become one.