To think that the best thing about being grown up

[WallaceWindsock]

Is that you can behave like a child without getting told off?

Today I've bounced on the bed, eaten a whole bag of sweets and got my shoes muddy. I love the quiet glee at knowing that my mum isn't going to come home and do her stern "WALLACE!"

So AIBU and what things that you weren't allowed to do as a child do you now do with a quiet chuckle of satisfaction?

Biscuits/ cake for breakfast

Also, it occured to me the other day that i have no one in my life judging me or criticising every little thing (no longer in contact with my parents). I am surrounded my loving, supportive people.

Having the choice to stand up for myself/ challenge other people's abuse/ unfair behaviour of myself/ others around me. I have the freedom to choose a calm, peaceful life.

Lounging on the sofa without DM telling me I make the place look untidy !
Eating cake for breakfast.
Not watching horse racing all day long on a Saturday ! But still find myself drawn to a cowboy film every now and again, cheers dad !

Watching what I want on MY TV! I have not watched an episode of bloody Eggheads or endured the torture that is Wimbledon since I left home.

Running my own agenda - not having to follow DM's regimented 'to do' list all weekend before I could sit down and watch TV.

Having the TV on all day if I want to.

Not having a cleaning day - just doing it as and when - or not at all

Swearing, excessively if the mood takes me!

Drinking. Not having to check the time before saying I would like a glass.

Driving. The freedom to go wherever, whenever.

Holidays - picking where you go and how long for.

Eating what I like when I like.

I do feel a bit jealous of the DCs though when they fall asleep in the car and then wake up in their beds the next morning.

Reading at the table (sorry mum, I know it's the height of bad manners.)

Putting my feet up on the couch.

Wearing clothes that haven't been 'aired properly' ie for about 48 hours!

Being able to have crisps and a chocolate and coke for lunch if I want to and even having another packet of crisps afterwards.

Not having to wash up as soon as we've eaten dinner. I leave it for an hour or so until I can be bothered to do it, and occasionally dishes may get left until the morning .

Not having to get up at stupid o clock on a Saturday or Sunday to help clean the house for bloody guests! Every weekend was ruined by my mother's need for socialising with family friends who normally had children either a lot older than me, or a lot younger who liked breaking toys.

The remote is MINE. I don't watch rolling news, football or motor racing. Ever.

I can eat something they consider exotic, without a running commentary.

Food shopping as an adult is amazing. I don't have to construct the trolley around the bullshit premise of meat, carbs, veg for tea every night. A whole tube of BBQ pringles for tea? Don't mind if I do.

Plus I can buy a bottle of vodka at 11am on a Wednesday without my mum worrying what the neighbours will think.

Not having to finish my main course if I decide I want pudding and want to leave room for it.

And something that had friends going at the other day- lying on my bed in my tent with my shoes on. This is Shodan's world, I said. In my world you can put your shoes on the bed.

And (another food-related one) never having to eat gristle stew/mince curry or anything else revolting. I also reserve the right to just go off the idea of something and have crisps instead.

Bliss.

I like not having to answer to anyone.

Can't be arsed to speak to the parents - don't answer the phone.

Can't be arsed to see the parents - don't let them know I'm home.

Can't be arsed to speak or see anybody else ..... Keep blinds shut, turn off phone

Drinking gallons of sugar free ribena without hearing "do you know how expensive that is"

Oh my god the absolute thrill of my first shop having moved out and realising I could now guzzle gallons of the stuff still hasn't left me!

Baking, just because I feel like it at 3am

Buying stationary and not sharing it'

Not having to stop everything and jump up and race to answer the phone every time it rings. Leave a message if it's important; go away and leave me alone if it's not.

Likewise, not bothering to answer the door if I don't feel like it.

Not having to finish everything on my plate, if I don't feel like it or don't like it. I have never made DD do this either.

Eating a Cornetto when I want one.

Working out my own timings for my day, DD permitting. I get to decide when I leave for somewhere, and what time I aim to get there - no deliberate arriving or setting off ridiculously early, unless I want to be early.

Not having to maintain relationships with family members I don't really like.

Best thing?........ not having my (verrry long) hair twisted daily into tortuous subservience by means of clips/grips/slides/plaits etc, until it was so tight my eyebrows became earmuffs!
^on rebelling one day and sneaking out of the door with loose hair, was called back. How did mum know I thought? Well, I was wearing a duffle coat (with hood up), .....and it was Summer![wink)

Also being able to wash it EVERY DAY, instead of once a week!!!!

Having chocolate available anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

Being answerable to no one!

...and no more bloody piano practice!

......best of all...never, ever, ever fastening my hair up again!

RibenaFiend I remember the joy of shopping for myself once I left home! I used to buy thick and creamy yoghurts (instead of cheapo diet ones) and eat them for breakfast - my sister was so jealous!

I also discovered the vimto is actually sold everywhere and not just at the shop near my Gran's house and I could have it all the time not just as a special treat when visiting Gran (and bargain basic orange squash the rest of the time!)

Oh yes, the weekly hair wash... Yuk! By midweek my hair felt so lank

Also, remember my first food shop. My indulgence was freshly baked bread from the bakery

Being able to finish my drink before my food arrives when eating out, without anyone shouting 'save some for later, I'm not buying you another' at me.
Doing it on purpose even!

Not having to wash, dry and put away the dishes after dinner, before I go out to 'play'.

Aw crap. I just washed, dried and put away the dishes. And I'm not even going out to play.

I thought of another one, but this one is probably not as widespread(although may be shared by some here):

Not being forced to attend religious meetings for two hours, three times a week - a religion I did not choose, did not understand, did not agree with, and which meant that on the two weekdays in question, I was not allowed to play out as I had to stay clean.

Oops, posted too soon. My mother's religious choice meant that my siblings and I were not allowed to celebrate Christmas or birthdays. Needless to say, I heartily embrace them now!

More freedom, no school, eating what I want when I want

I once helped in a school with pupils from that sort of religion.

When you see a little girl in tears at not being able to celebrate Christmas you really want to say something to her parents.

Especially as it was a ethnically diverse school and every other faith joined in.

Not having to eat boiled potatoes covered in mince.

I had a little boy in one of my schools who gave a letter to his teacher saying that he was allowed to join in the Christmas play and Christmas lunch... Hand written in coloured pencil and signed:
"X's mummy"

Breaks your heart. Some things I just don't understand.