Growing up means...

Accepting responsibility is one of the hardest things I can think of that I have had to do day  in and day out since I have been an adult.  Everyday, I have something I HAVE to do and to be honest, sometimes I just don't feel like doing anything.  I want to go shop, go to the casinos or ya know what, maybe I would love to have a day that I can sit on the couch and eat bon-bons all day.  But I can't.  I am an adult and I must pay the bills and take care of my kids, husband, dog and the house.  Ugh. 

The second hardest things I have had to do since I have become an official adult is owning up to my mistakes.  I have to admit this has been a minimal but I have had to do it once or twice before.  Saying "I am sorry" has been noted to be the hardest thing to say to anyone person. 

Since I was 16, I have had to support myself.  This is not a hard concept - it can be difficult at times but doable.  Most adults I see still struggle with this and it is understandable, but I am a believer that you can fix almost any money downfall - Live smaller and within your means.    

Clean up your mess.  This is an everyday occurrence at my house.  For some reason my two sons think that the clothes they remove from their bodies just gets picked up on their own.  They think that the empty cartons, wrappers or cans get up and walk into the garbage all by themselves.  They can not understand why their mother goes nuts when the clothes are thrown all over the floor with the laundry basket 1.2" away from them. 

I remember when I was about 11 years old, I was staying with my grandmother an older Italian lady she was sweet - but a real stickler for Respecting your elders.  I remember one visit this little ole lady single handedly corrected my back talking. (its amazing what a wooden spoon will do)...

Becoming an adult also means paying your debts back.  This is something that needs to be stressed to our kids.  People are unaware that everything - Credit cards, Mortgages, Apartment rentals, buying a car and much much more depends on your CREDIT score.  If you fail to pay - you will always be paying more.  Bottom line. It takes one year to repair your credit but only two months to destroy it. Don't fall behind the eight ball. 

MortgagesUndressed has an article called "It Is Time To Grow Up" and what Mr. Larry Cragun says has alot more truth in than most are willing to admit.