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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate the term adulting?

43 replies

crunchymint · 13/04/2018 19:38

I see it on face book and hear people speaking it. You are an adult whether you do your taxes, cook a healthy meal, or don't. Stop using these cutesy words to describe normal things.

OP posts:
JuneBuggy · 13/04/2018 19:40

Yabu. It’s a bit of fun Smile

ScreamingValenta · 13/04/2018 19:41

I agree - very annoying. YANBU.

PoorYorick · 13/04/2018 19:41

Actually I think it's a useful term in modern life. And yes you are an adult but that doesn't mean you're acting like one, which is why the term was invented.

Skatingfastonthinice · 13/04/2018 19:46

DD uses it, she’s in her 20s. I think it’s useful for those inbetweeners that now exist; adults living at home, young adults without children who are learning lifeskills and sometimes cock it up, those who switch between teen and adult behaviour.

Mamabear4180 · 13/04/2018 19:47

I hate all these new bollocks words, totally cringy.

Movablefeast · 13/04/2018 19:47

I am in the US and it no longer seems 'a bit of fun' unfortunately but a full grown industry. Due to serious debt in their 20s and 30s in the UK and US young adults are really struggling to hit milestones such as leaving hone, getting married, starting a career, buying a home, having children etc. I think they blame themselves and think they don't know how to be an adult because of these delays.

Dozer · 13/04/2018 19:49

I like it. Is there another term that quite works for what it means?

PoorYorick · 13/04/2018 19:51

I hate all these new bollocks words, totally cringy.

Every period in history has colloquialisms.

Skatingfastonthinice · 13/04/2018 19:51

I’m in my late 50s, so many cutesy, twee annoying words have been and gone and lost in time. Smile Eventually they will use the word and younger generations will eye roll and sigh at them trying to be a hep cat down wid d de kidz.

Original poster
crunchymint · 13/04/2018 19:51

20s is not an inbetweener. It is simply extending childhood and when people think they have to actually be adults. And it was not long ago that actually most young adults did stay at home until marriage, and often after it. They still considered themselves adults.

OP posts:
rainbowfudgee · 13/04/2018 19:52

I'm 33. I have a mortgage, professional job, two children, have written a will, I can parallel park, I make a mean bakewell tart. Sometimes I want a break from adulting though. I take my kids to theme parks and family raves. I go out to gigs and festivals with friends . Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you have to enjoy adult stuff all the time.

PoorYorick · 13/04/2018 19:52

And it was not long ago that actually most young adults did stay at home until marriage, and often after it. They still considered themselves adults.

Times change. Words often have to evolve to keep up with the new concepts.

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 13/04/2018 19:55

Adulting? Really? I've barely recovered from 'YOLO'.

As I have a nice G&T in hand and am watching Midsomer Murders, I'm practically a replica of my nanny.

I'm adulting the shit out of Friday.

Original poster
crunchymint · 13/04/2018 19:55

New concept? Doing perfectly normal adult things?

OP posts:
Aridane · 13/04/2018 19:57

Never heard it - what dis it supposed to mean?

MeanTangerine · 13/04/2018 19:59

It's a term that humans aged 18+ use to congratulate themselves for caring or mundane tasks.

MeanTangerine · 13/04/2018 20:00

Carrying out mundane tasks.

Like proofreading a post before hitting 'post'..

Skatingfastonthinice · 13/04/2018 20:01

Adulting is when you manage a perfectly normal adult thing without cocking it up, ‘Look at me, adulting’ instead of the teenaged behaviour that many under 30 seem to revel in.
So, dinner party = adulting
Driving to MacDonalds= not

lostinjapan · 13/04/2018 20:05

I don't mind it, I see it as humorous rather than cutesy. It's not a word I use myself, but I see it on Instagram a lot. And when I see a post about 'adulting' it does give me a push to do the shitty/boring grown up tasks I've been avoiding. I think there's a valid sentiment behind it, even if you don't like the specific word.

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 13/04/2018 20:06

I like it. I'm a 33 year old lawyer with a mortgage and two children and every so often I do something and catch myself thinking 'THAT was soooo grown up'. I'm adulting. And I'm just thrilled that there's a word for it. I'm also glad that there's a word my mum can use to berate my 29 year old sister who lives at home and has no job.

Tragicboozyflaccidclown · 13/04/2018 20:09

Rainbow, you realise adults can leave the house and do stuff? Confused

MuddyForestWalks · 13/04/2018 20:13

I like it.

Having a job, a mortgage, small kids, a house and garden to look after is a fucking slog and sometimes I want someone else to do it all for me. I want to forget about it, go to topshop for something nice to wear then go out on the piss and wake up late enough the next day to order pizza for brrakfast. But I can't because I have adulting to do.

rainbowfudgee · 13/04/2018 20:14

Yes I often leave the house! 😊 I suppose I like the term adulting as you can compartmentalise the boring tasks with it. Cleaning out the cutlery drawer, rinsing the washing machine filter etc. I feel I need an adult sticker when I achieve one of those... yes, they are a thing!

LiteraryDevil · 13/04/2018 20:14

I hate it too. You wouldn't say "childing" so why say "adulting" ??

TellerTuesday4EVA · 13/04/2018 20:15

Doesn't bother me but then I've reached 34 & the meme that fits me best is this one......

To hate the term adulting?