While many of us may go through a “rebel” phase, when we do not listen to our parents and roll our eyes at everything they say, at some point we realize they are right the majority of the time. I do not know about you, but my mother always knew what foods, books, movies, and rollercoaster rides I would like and overused, “I told you so.” Even if you do not want to admit it, we are all turning into adults, and this means that we are going to act more like our parents, and it is okay. It just means you are getting wiser and more careful.
1. YOU ARE MORE AWARE
Just a year ago, I went to the Grand Canyon with my mom and I thought it was hilarious to get close to the edge to scare her. Looking back on that decision, I am sort of horrified. I would never do that now because I am not nearly as reckless or careless. I have only been in college a semester and a half, but I am already more aware of what could happen if I get too close to the edge.
See, when I was 16, my legs were dangling off the canyon while my mother was screaming at me to be careful (this is when I went through my “rebel” phase). At 18, I was just a little too close to the edge and my mom is still yelling at me to stop. Now that I am almost 20, I am with my mom, a reasonable distance away from the edge, enjoying the beautiful view of the Grand Canyon.
2. YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
I do not like to admit it, but there was a time I rarely washed my hair because I liked the way it looked greasy. I know. Okay. I am four years away from that phase, moving on. I know when I do not need the cupcake, and when I do. I wash my face (and hair) every night. Sometimes, though, it takes a learning experience (other than realizing greasy hair does NOT look good).
I was never really scared of gaining the “Freshman 15” because my mom always told me she never gained weight in college. We are very similar, so I thought the same would apply to me. In high school, I danced 8-10 hours a week, and ate a bagged-lunch everyday. I should have known that getting fries, a dessert, and a root beer at every meal with little exercise was going to affect my body. I did not realize until I could not fit into my high-waisted jeans in December.
This semester, I have vowed to eat healthier (and to only eat a cupcake when I have had a bad day), and exercise three times a week. I have actually kept up with it. Though gaining weight made me realize I need to eat better and exercise, it is not the reason I continue. It is because it makes me feel better about my body and myself. So, when you are 6 and your mom tells you not eat cookies and ice cream for dinner, it is because she knows it will make you feel bad.
3. YOU VALUE SLEEP
Every night my mom lays on the couch and watches TV until she falls asleep at nine. Yes, she goes to bed at nine. However, when my family would go to Walt Disney World, get there when it opened and left when it closed, she would say, “You can sleep when you’re dead.” Yes, the same person who goes to bed at nine every night.
I think part of turning into your parents is knowing when to stay up, and when to value sleep. It is closing your computer or turning off Netflix to get an extra hour of sleep. It is not going to the party because you stayed up the night before studying. My mom values sleep, but is also able to stay awake when she needs to.
4. YOU ARE MORE PREPARED
You know when your mom used to tell you to bring a cardigan? I am now the person who always has the extra pen, cardigan, and granola bar. Why? It is nice to have that one thing someone needs. It is nice to be there. I keep everything I need in my purse. Through experiencing many instances of not having what I need, I have got it down: hand sanitizer, tissues, lipstick, ibuprofen, headphones, and a mirror. In my dorm, I have everything imaginable. As a kid, you were able to rely on your mom or grandma to have whatever you needed, and now it is up to you.
Though we fear dressing like our parents or inheriting their odd mannerisms, our parents give us the tools that we need to be more self-reliant. As we grow older, out of the “rebel” stage, we start to realize our parents are not so bad. We may even realize we strive to be more like our parents; I know I do.
Bethany Dickerson is a freshman BIC student majoring in journalism.
very well said Bethany!