Five More Weeks and My Twins Will Be Adults

My two youngest children, a boy and girl, will be 18 on August 11th. I watch them closely as they near that wonderful age of adulthood and chuckle; they aren't anywhere near ready for the responsibilities of adulthood. Could they truly exist independently from me? Will they wake-up that morning and magically be an adult? I've heard it rumored that some parents actually throw their kids out of the house when they turn 18 because our society has now deemed them adults.  Being an adult, like anything else, is very demanding if you plan on doing it right. There are people my age who still haven't achieved adulthood although they appear to be adults just because they have physically grown-up.

My daughter gives it a good try. She is super responsible, a type "A" personality, and tries to be prepared for what is ahead. She is even going to live with her Dad when she turns 18 just to see what life is like living with him. She has purchased a cookbook and asked me for recipes of her favorite meals I have made for her. She is not moving out on her own even though society says she is an adult and should be able to handle adult responsibilities. She doesn't have a job that would enable her to pay for rent, utilities, and food. She isn't ready for marriage or raising children. She is exploring her options in a world of many possibilities on her road to adulthood. The first step is attending college.

My son is so excited that he is turning 18. I'm not sure why. Nothing is going to change. He will still be depending on me for all of his basic needs. He will still be attending school and working part-time. The rules of what is expected of him will remain the same. The only difference I'm aware of is he will now be able to vote and, sadly, will be able to go off to war if our country needs him. He is content living with me and preparing for his future. He, too, will attend college.

Both children are so different in many ways, as is their older brother who is still at home and attending college, but none of my children are ready to be independent and that's ok with me. I want them to have the time to "grow-up" and be prepared for their future and all the responsibilities that come with being a responsible adult.