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MNHQ

When did you realise your teenager was becoming an adult? Tell National Citizen Service and you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

57 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 09/10/2015 09:55

NCS would like to hear from Mumsnetters about the moment you realised that your teenager was becoming an adult.

Natasha Kizzie from NCS Trust says: "From their first driving lesson to their first holiday without you, these pivotal moments in a young person’s life can be our proudest yet, whilst also being a stark reminder of just how quickly they grow up! That’s why programmes like NCS can be such defining moments in their transition to adulthood.
The programme helps young people to make positive life choices by giving them responsibility for their own decisions in a safe environment away from their home setting and with people their own age. By trying new challenges and taking control of their own development, young people return from the programme noticeably more mature, confident in their abilities and ready to take on their future."

When did you first realise that your teenager was well on their way to becoming an adult? Perhaps it was when they finished secondary school or maybe when they got their first job? Perhaps they came up with a wise take on a tricky situation that showed you that you really didn't need to worry about them so much after all.

Whatever the defining moment was for you and your teenager, NCS would love to hear about it.

Everyone who adds a comment on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Please note your comments may be included on NCS's pages on MN, their social media channels, and possibly elsewhere, so please only post if you're comfortable with this.

Thanks & good luck,
MNHQ

OP posts:
MissFitt68 · 09/10/2015 10:28

When their bedtime became later than mine!! That's weird... Having to stay up later so they are in bed before I go

And moving into 'mens' clothing..... Aged 15!

InMySpareTime · 09/10/2015 11:20

When they started using their own debit cards to pay for stuff when we're out places.
Sounds odd, but that was really a defining moment, moving from me providing for them to them providing for themselves (and sometimes treating me!)

Scatter · 09/10/2015 13:35

I realised the day that I offered my son a biscuit when making my post-work cup of tea and he replied, 'No thank you, I won't be able to eat my dinner if I have one now'.

Maddaddam · 09/10/2015 13:50

When I realised she knew more than I did about TTIP - and was posting knowledgeably about it all over Facebook.

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 09/10/2015 15:31

when DD1s National Insurance card arrived - how on earth could my baby be old enough to have one of those?

OddBoots · 09/10/2015 16:07

It tends to happen in small steps but when I needed to put him on the electoral roll that really felt odd.

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 09/10/2015 19:03

When my stroppy hormonal teen asked 'did you get my make up wipes?' Then quick as a flash said 'sorry mum, that sounded a bit rude'
My daughter is back!

clopper · 09/10/2015 20:47

When they started to filter the TVs programmes for me...you won't like that mum it's a bit rude, sweary etc.

Roseformeplease · 09/10/2015 21:06

When they started asking me (the teacher) if I had done MY homework.

ItsaTenfromDen · 09/10/2015 21:20

when dd1 was attacked and had to have dealings with the police. She was amazing, age 15 and still is 10 years later

flamingtoaster · 09/10/2015 21:25

A couple of things made me realize they were growing up - when they would tell me about friends who had problems and then would tell me the advice they had given which was exactly what I would have given. This was very reassuring. They also began to make sure I didn't watch programmes/movies I wouldn't like - and do sensible things like arrange lifts home before they went out at night without being asked.

Theimpossiblegirl · 09/10/2015 21:37

When DD1(14) said "Somebody's a bit hormonal" when DD2 (12) got a bit moody recently. :)

It's great fun in my house around the full moon.

pinkprimroses · 09/10/2015 21:42

When he gave me a run down of why Greece needed to leave the Euro, and I realised be knew more that I did!

Wondering round the men's section of Primark for the first time.

And discovering I now have the smallest feet in the family.

CopperPan · 09/10/2015 21:49

When dd started her first job in a supermarket. It felt so strange when we popped in for some shopping and she was in uniform and dealing with customers just like any other checkout girl!

southeastastra · 09/10/2015 21:53

erm, still waiting for ds(22) to become an adult. Grin

i suppose when he cleans the loo with no prompting then he will be an adult.

pinkprimroses · 09/10/2015 21:59

i suppose when he cleans the loo with no prompting then he will be an adult

I fear you could have a long wait. Not sure my DH has quite attained adulthood by that definitionGrin

Twowrongsdontmakearight · 10/10/2015 07:28

When I drove through Spain with DC but without DH and knew I could rely on DS (15) if there was a problem. His Spanish is good and he had the journey all planned from his scout map-reading skills!

Mrscaindingle · 10/10/2015 09:46

When I phoned home before leaving the office to be told that the dog had had very bad diarrhoea on my bed! It was a long drive home.

When I got in DS (14) had cleaned everything up, it had even gone on the walls which were cleaned and the curtains which were in the washing machine with the duvet cover.
Windows were open and DS had gone out and bought more febreeze.

There was nothing for me to do! I realised just how capable he actually is even if he hides it well most of the time Smile

dietstartsmonday · 10/10/2015 16:01

When his provisional driving licence arrived. I mean really he's my baby, I can't possibly let him out on the roads!!

Dolallytats · 10/10/2015 16:27

When she started her first job. It made me realise that she was my 'baby' that I had to fuss over any more. She was a grown up capable of holding down a job and getting on well with both her clients and workmates.

prettybird · 10/10/2015 22:35

When ds (15) went to a GP appointment on his own even if I did have to make the initial appointment including the follow up blood test.

Pixi2 · 11/10/2015 07:45

My own DC are still young children but I've cared for and had partial custody of dnephew all his life. When did I realise he was becoming an adult? Not when he grew taller than me, not when he paraded a few gf's back to meet his auntie, not when he became a dad (in fact, he was more of a scared 16yr old at that moment than I've ever seen before although he's amazing with his son now) but this week. We were sat in a cafe chatting and he was just amazing company. Funny, chatty, well informed, we laughed and talked and he didn't once go into a bad mood or threaten that he wouldn't be responsible for his actions if someone said Xyz. He's managed to get a job trial in a neighbouring town which means getting up at before 7am, there was no moaning, he had already planned his route via train and bus. I am very proud and impressed with this 17yr old man he is turning into.

campocaro · 11/10/2015 09:16

When she gave me dating advice!

QOD · 11/10/2015 16:25

It was actually night 1 of week 1 of an NCS 4 week long course when she didn't ring home crying Sad
She hadn't done sleepovers or anything, never even been to town or on a bus on her own as shw was so intimidated by everything and everyone.
She's changed beyond all recognition now. Fantastic but also upsetting for me. Lol

purplepandas · 11/10/2015 16:54

Wow, this is all lovely to read. I can't imagine this happening but I know that it will. You are giving me hope that the teenage years may not be so bad after all!