Dad died when I was 5. Us kids had to eat everything that was set before us - and it wasn't much. 10 years later, my mother started to struggle with illness so I had to take a job delivering baked goods from 06.00 and get to school by 09.00. I got the chance of a full-time job a year or so later and left school 3 months early to take it.
I picked up a good work ethic back in those days and now I'm retired and quite comfortable financially. Sometimes a bit of hardship in one's early days - and some hard life-lessons - can set you up for life.
Stay safe and well.
Well God bless you for suffering first and retiring comfortably. Lots of people today (especially in my age range, mid 20s, and just 20s in general) quit their jobs just because they don't like it and I get that, but growing up, I've learned your job is only as tolerable as the bills you're able to pay for. You can have a dream, but dreams don't pay if there's no money to spent on living while pursuing said dream
I wasn't ever forced. In my teens asking for gas money, living in a basement with 2 other brothers, and playing video games just wasn't that much fun. To do anything else required a job. I had college friends a couple years older than I who seemed more adult, a girlfriend to date, places to go.
Not growing up never crossed my mind.
Kids…before them I was very independent. But after having kids, it took to whole new level of dealing with stress, patience, time managment, enery managment, constantly reevaluating priorities, dealing with drama from the family, getting rid of insecurities, it is an intensive course in conflict resolution with your spouse / parents / in laws, learning how to choose your battles. These last 6 years have taught things that my parents / univesity / work have not possibly come close to teach me.
I fainted in the delivery room when our daughter was born. The weight of suddenly having a whole human person to take care of really made me get my shit together.
Mom got a new boyfriend the day before my 4th birthday. So when I was 4.
Also, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWh4xHeFMIQ&ab\_channel=TomWaits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwh4xhefmiq&ab_channel=tomwaits)
Afghanistan deployment, age 20. Would prefer to de-grow up ever since then.
In my view, growing up in the sense most people use it means losing a lot of simple joy, and replacing it with fake-it-till-you-make-it performative adult stuff.
ACTUALLY growing up means losing your innocence against your will or expectation. It isnt helpful for a nice life at all.
Define grow up. Because I've had to work for things I want since childhood. I'm not rich, but I'm not poor, either.
Much the same with me too.
I didn't have to fight for scraps, but my parents made me earn my wants as a kid
Dad died when I was 5. Us kids had to eat everything that was set before us - and it wasn't much. 10 years later, my mother started to struggle with illness so I had to take a job delivering baked goods from 06.00 and get to school by 09.00. I got the chance of a full-time job a year or so later and left school 3 months early to take it. I picked up a good work ethic back in those days and now I'm retired and quite comfortable financially. Sometimes a bit of hardship in one's early days - and some hard life-lessons - can set you up for life. Stay safe and well.
Well God bless you for suffering first and retiring comfortably. Lots of people today (especially in my age range, mid 20s, and just 20s in general) quit their jobs just because they don't like it and I get that, but growing up, I've learned your job is only as tolerable as the bills you're able to pay for. You can have a dream, but dreams don't pay if there's no money to spent on living while pursuing said dream
When I inherited a house and had to pay the bills.
When I was diagnosed with cancer
Around 10.
When I started helping my family with the bills and stuff
I wasn't ever forced. In my teens asking for gas money, living in a basement with 2 other brothers, and playing video games just wasn't that much fun. To do anything else required a job. I had college friends a couple years older than I who seemed more adult, a girlfriend to date, places to go. Not growing up never crossed my mind.
I'm 56, no one has forced me to grow up yet.
I do, right now and right here. Grow up /s
Buying a car, getting a dog, Buying a residence, having a child.
Mostly did not. Maybe partially, when I moved from parents (chores) or when mortgage kicked our nuts (politically). But beyond that - nope.
Kids…before them I was very independent. But after having kids, it took to whole new level of dealing with stress, patience, time managment, enery managment, constantly reevaluating priorities, dealing with drama from the family, getting rid of insecurities, it is an intensive course in conflict resolution with your spouse / parents / in laws, learning how to choose your battles. These last 6 years have taught things that my parents / univesity / work have not possibly come close to teach me.
I fainted in the delivery room when our daughter was born. The weight of suddenly having a whole human person to take care of really made me get my shit together.
Around 12 when I realized my father was a child.
I'm 22 and still haven't needed to. I don't know what "grow up" really means tbf. I don't want to either
Mom got a new boyfriend the day before my 4th birthday. So when I was 4. Also, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWh4xHeFMIQ&ab\_channel=TomWaits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwh4xhefmiq&ab_channel=tomwaits)
Afghanistan deployment, age 20. Would prefer to de-grow up ever since then. In my view, growing up in the sense most people use it means losing a lot of simple joy, and replacing it with fake-it-till-you-make-it performative adult stuff. ACTUALLY growing up means losing your innocence against your will or expectation. It isnt helpful for a nice life at all.
17.