To ask what's an adult problem that nobody prepared you for?

[Midge1978]

For me it's keeping the bathroom clean. I don't think I ever saw my mother clean hers but it was always immaculate and rosey smelling. I can't seem to keep on top of the mould monster in mine!

That there's no such thing as a dream job, and that one day your values/personality could start morphing into someone you never thought you'd be (e.g previously spontaneous and carefree becoming sensible)

Having to decide what to cook for dinner every night. I love cooking but this aspect is not fun.

Appearing to be the only person who can see the loo or basin needs a clean. Like someone else mentioned, I don't remember my mum or dad cleaning the bathroom, but it always seemed clean.

Oh, another one:

As a kid I used to watch the yogurt adverts with the woman moaning about "sluggish digestion" and I was like, WTF is sluggish? And people complaining about beans. Never made a difference.

Now at 24 I can't eat apples, watermelons, dairy, beans, avocado or pretty much anything that isn't rice without letting out about 65 farts. And if I eat big portions I feel "sluggish" for the next day. Also no-one warned me how shit the NHS is, so you wait 4 months for a hospital appointment only for a consultant to spend 2 minutes telling you "it's IBS, there's nothing we can do".

Not having that 'parent figure' to lean on when you get to the age that your parents have either died or are incapacitated. Even if you are an independent adult with a spouse and a family of your own, it's still nice to know that Mum or Dad are just a phone call away with a word of parental advice or comfort. Now, I'm the 'parental figure' and my adult children rely on me.

My cousin and I were just talking about this. Both our dads are dead and our mums (sisters) have severe dementia. We still at times yearn to be able to confide in a parental figure but there's no one 'above us' in the family chain.

Aching as you get older! I used to think older people walked funny because they'd sort of stiffened up. Now I know it's because they're in bloody pain all the time!

Anyone else who is aching, lose a few pounds...I did and my joints improved massively.

playmobil' I am a pharmacist and know all about black poo but was still surprised when it happened to me. Likewise when I was given a suppository in theatre during a D&C. The anaesthetist told me beforehand that she might insert one, but I went to the loo after the op and wiping felt squidgy (TMI I know) so I looked at the paper which was covered with white goo. I was actually reaching for the emergency cord when I realised what it was.
I have no memory of my mum EVER cleaning the bathroom yet it was always clean. I thought bathroom cleaning adverts were some big con.

Heartbreak. I just never anticipated how awful it would feel.

Perimenopause

Becoming a total fucking bore (speaking for myself)

Mortgages/life insurance and all that jazz

How to source decent tradesmen when you don't know anyone who's had work done that lives in your area

How to cope with having a mental break down at age 26. How to deal with so-called friends breaking your heart when you put your heart and soul into the friendship. How to stop being such a fucking gullible arsehole and letting everyone walk over you and treat you like dirt because you believe you don't deserve better. Accepting that you just won't become a mum and that it's probably for the best as, you know, reasons stated above.

My mum was a bathroom cleaning ninja too

I used to think that grown ups knew everything - now I realise that we are all winging it...

Nervous breakdown. Had no idea what was happening to me. It’s up there with experiencing death of a loved one.

OrangeKitten

How fucking boring a lot of it is, and how in your 40s you're running round after everyone and working at the same time. I know I'm lucky in many ways but I just wish I could stay in bed reading and drinking coffee.

Thanks AjasLipstick I ache most of the time and that may be just the motivation I need to get moving and loose weight

Firstly how overwhelming motherhood is at first

Secondly when you turn into the carer for your elderly parents

What to do with your life if you can't find a partner to share it with.

As a girl growing up, all I was fed was that I'd grow up, go to uni, get a good job, meet a nice man, get married, have kids.

I managed the first three and the last one (had one DC with an abusive arsewipe). I'm now 36 and can't find a partner using any of the usual methods. DC today was begging me to have a sibling for them. Meanwhile I'm trying to come to terms with my life not working out as everyone always said it would.

Sympathise with most of these. I would add, labour - being a new mum was overwhelming but not in an unexpected way - but labour, wow! Just thinking 'no, stop it, i just want to get off' - AND THERE WAS NO OFF!

I don’t know how to bleed a radiator.
Can’t believe how often the magnolia walls need repainting to keep them looking fresh.
How hard it is to gloss.
That I can’t horseride/roller skate/do other fun stuff because if I hurt myself there’s no one else to earn the money.
The grass actually needs cutting more than twice a year.
Doors need cleaning fairly regularly.
I really resent having to pay a window cleaner. Plus they always come when I have no cash in the house.

Another one :

Foof maintenance!

In all it's forms

I got a letter about an internal scan and I was like what fresh hell is this?!?

Talking on the phone. Getting tradespeople in. Talking on the phone to tradespeople.

It's been good for my DIY skills at least.

Yolo, take at look at FODMAP diet for IBS. It'll offer you a systematic method for managing yr condition. It's becoming a standard NHS protocol & dieticians are aware of it. Universal Uncle does low FODMAP fare following advice from consultant Gastro & has turned down his fart factor considerably. Hth.

Now at 24 I can't eat apples, watermelons, dairy, beans, avocado or pretty much anything that isn't rice without letting out about 65 farts. And if I eat big portions I feel "sluggish" for the next day.

Shrinking. When I bought this house 25 years ago, I could easily reach across the worktop in the kitchen and open the windows. Now I have to get DP to do it.

Both parents getting dementia and DB getting very bad MH problems. I never dreamed I'd be the sole custodian of the family marbles.

The unfairness. When I was little my dad was always telling me that life wasn't fair but I thought people would try a bit harder.

When I was in my early 20's I dismissed yoga/keeping a journal/manifesting/meditation etc as happy clappy mumbo jumbo. I now do all of these things daily in order to maintain my mental health and enable my ability to get out of bed and leave the house.

The relentless chores. There’s always diy/laundry/tidying/cooking/shopping to do.