When did you first realize that you were an adult?

Question

Does having an 18th birthday really qualify you as an 'adult' (mentally)? When did you realize you were a responsible, and contributing factor in society? Did you have an epiphany or a revelation? What was it?

Answer 1

Every so often, I have a realization that "now" I'm an adult.

...or maybe I should say - every so often, I have a realization that I have been previously acting like a child.

When I was married at the age of 18, I realized I was an adult.

When I had my first daughter at the age of 19, I realized I was an adult.

When I got a divorce, I realized I was an adult.

When I graduated college, I realized I was an adult.

When I to another state, far away from my family, I realized I was an adult.

When I remarried, I realized I was an adult.

When my second daughter was born, I realized I was an adult.

When my professional career took off, I realized I was an adult.

When I moved back to my home town, I realized I was an adult.

I see a pattern emerging, and suspect I will continue to have these realizations for the rest of my life.


Between you and me - I feel less like an adult now, than I did when I was 17 years old.

Answer 2

My 4 year old son broke his femur. We drove him to the e.r.. I was holding him as still as I could in the car as my wife drove down a bumpy road.

I rushed him in. They waved us on into a room in the back, bypassing the check-in. I noticed then that I had no shoes or shirt on.

I had just come home from work, sat down, took my shirt and shoes off, when my wife, standing at the front door watching him at play outside, had seen him fall, and sounded terrified, "I think he broke his leg!"

He was trying to stand up when I reached him. He was in my arms in an instant.

The doctor and nurses were checking him out. He was in incredible pain, but trying hard to be tough, even without our insistence that he prove himself so.

They had to deaden the leg.

The needles were so long compared to his little self.
He looked up at us, eye to eye, as if to question, "Why, oh why are you allowing me to suffer so?"

I nodded for the medical staff to continue.

That is when I realized that I had become an adult. Not that I didn't know, or even feel that way before, necessarily, but this is when I first experienced the meaning of what you hear Dads would sometimes say, "Son, this is going to hurt me more than it does you."

Answer 3

I didn't feel like an adult till I had my own place and my own bills and was done with the undergrad thing and actually had to work a real job through the summer...so about a year ago.

Answer 4

I was about 19 years old and at the grocery store and I knew I had to put back the box of Capt'n Crunch for the cheaper Toastie O's.

Answer 5

I was 24. I started putting my sons needs before anything to do with myself. No more sleeping in, or staying out late, or going out at all for that matter. Suddenly I was no longer a selfish child consumed with my own desires.

Answer 6

I'm 27, have my own apartment, got a job, drive my own car, and still waiting for that realization. Maybe after I get married and have a kid or two I'll realize it.

Answer 7

at 17 when I found out I was going to be a mom.
I had been married for 2 years at that point.
I became a adult and my husband did not.

Answer 8

When I started talking one day and heard my mother's voice come out of MY mouth. It was pretty shocking and a little stressful.

Answer 9

We are supposed to grow up!?! Who says?!?! :o)

I hope I never get that epiphany!!!

Answer 10

When I went to college