posted February 24, 2016 11:51 PM            

It's confusing and I just don't get it. :l

I think being a grown up means that someone is responsible, trustworthy, dependable, honesty, can think clearly and reason seriously, selflessly selfish (knows when to be selfish and when to give unconditionally), and so many more things that I can't put words to.
Though this would mean that not many "adults" are grown ups. Even the ones who tell me to grow up. :c

posted February 25, 2016 01:26 AM            

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Originally posted by Valentine:
Being responsible, independent, self-supporting are a few things I can think of, you also had some good ones.

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Is being an adult the same thing? ;-;

posted February 25, 2016 01:58 AM            

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Originally posted by Valentine:
Debby, I guess it depends a lot on age. If you have the qualities you mentioned, it sounds like you're quite grown up, which really is different than being an adult.

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posted February 25, 2016 03:29 AM            

Nevertheless, everyone makes mistakes, that's something no one will outgrow. A blessed few learn from their mistakes, however, and the best know they can never stop learning and improving. But they will never be all those things you describe at all times.

posted February 25, 2016 04:02 AM            

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
I'm reminded of a saying: growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

Nevertheless, everyone makes mistakes, that's something no one will outgrow. A blessed few learn from their mistakes, however, and the best know they can never stop learning and improving. But they will never be all those things you describe at all times.

I suppose overall I'd define "growing up" as impulse control and thinking things through (that is not just living for the moment). It would be interesting if there could be an objective test (if fairly administered--which it wouldn't be), I'm sure many kids would pass it and many adults would fail it.

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posted February 25, 2016 11:48 PM            

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
I'm reminded of a saying: growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

Nevertheless, everyone makes mistakes, that's something no one will outgrow. A blessed few learn from their mistakes, however, and the best know they can never stop learning and improving. But they will never be all those things you describe at all times.

I suppose overall I'd define "growing up" as impulse control and thinking things through (that is not just living for the moment). It would be interesting if there could be an objective test (if fairly administered--which it wouldn't be), I'm sure many kids would pass it and many adults would fail it.

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posted February 25, 2016 11:51 PM            

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
I don't know your specific situation, so I can't comment on that.

But generally speaking, when adults are telling kids they need to grow up with one breath, and then stop on the next, what they want is obedience without independence. That is, "grow up" means do as you're told (and do as they say, not as they do) without complaint, while "stop" means don't act independently (without permission), or more likely, don't act in any way that suggests you might behave inappropriate for your age (too short a skirt and too much makeup, for example).

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posted February 27, 2016 04:27 AM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
Growing up means accepting responsibility and stepping up to the plate to do what needs to be done, but one can still be a kid at heart.

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