Apparently changing a light-bulb or doing the weekly shop are among the events which make young people realise they’ve grown up. This poll is by Gumtree; they surveyed people aged 18 to 25 to see at what point they felt like a grown up. Buying their own goods and realising how expensive stuff is was another moment that they felt they had left their childhood behind.
Ha! Moving out and realising how expensive rent is will get ya too!
Mine was when I moved out and had to ring my mam to ask how to work the washing machine (what kind of washing machine, they’re all different? I dunno, a washing machine mam, they all look the same) and also calling her to ask how you know when mince is done. I wondered was anyone as pathetic as me and yes was the answer, thankfully.
- "Hi Paula. I realised my childhood was over when I fell asleep on the couch and woke up there!” - Peter in Cork
- “The day I got married for the second time. Should have known better.” - J in Cork
- “Buying life insurance. There is nothing is more boring or adult than admitting with paper and ink that you will die someday.”
- “The first time I realised I was a grown up was when I was in a queue to do the shopping and a woman in front of me said hon, let the man through, he has to pay to her kid. It took me about two minutes to realise I was that man...I was 25!” - Naoise
- “Wanting to watch the news was when I knew I grew up.”
- “I moved out of home when I was 17 to England but came back to Ireland when I was 18. I’m now 25 and have 2 kids and another one on the way. My light bulb moment is when you have kids. Yes you can pay all the bills and it is hard but when kids are involved it really wakes you up Paula!”
- “I got drunk one night and went home early and paid bills... goodbye fun me!”
- “Hey Paula, I knew I was getting old when I discovered the password for my daughter’s bedroom was daddy's big fat belly. I was 34, in denial and my belly wasn't that fat!” - Mick in Dublin.
- “Paula when you start paying for your own doctor and dental bills.”
- “When you go for pints on a Saturday and you still have the fear of god on a Wednesday!” - Sclarkey76
- “When the hairdresser asks would you like your eyebrows trimmed” - a dejected Billy
- “Morning Sweet P! My light bulb moment was when the midwife handed me my little girl and said there you go Dad! I was 26 and that was nearly 14 years ago!” - Pat in Nenagh
- “When I was in the maternity hospital having my twins last year. Not only did I realise I was an adult but I was also a geriatric mother! Happy birthday to my beautiful babies Isabel and Jamie!” - Grainne, Limerick
- “Morning Paula, It wasn't until I was sitting at the top of the church on my wedding day and the priest told us all to rise as my bride had arrived, I started to shake and remember thinking that this is it, time to become a man. Will be ten years married this Christmas!” - Mick in Laois.
- “Morning Paula, don't know if anyone has said this but mine was when I was in a nightclub and the "kid" I babysat offered to buy me a drink!” - Niall in Tipp
- “When I spent money I worked hard for to buy bathroom mats!”
- “Grow up Paula? My motto at 42 is I may grow old but I refuse to grow up. However I know I was an adult when I was the man that would give out if a kid didn't stop messing for his mother!” - Jim in Abbeyleix
- “Hi Paula, I think you know something has changed when your xmas presents change from toys to clothes and toiletries!” - Mick
- “When summers meant summer work rather than playing and having fun, Paula.”
- “When you move out of home and you have to ring your mother to find out how to make hot water come from the tap!” - Colm Wexford
- “I'm a secondary school teacher and had a bunch of first years shocked to learn that I didn't have a smart phone in school; that the internet wasn't always around. They tried to guess my age and guessed anywhere from 30-45. I was 22 at the time! I'm 25 now and there are some days I feel so old with questions I get from students!” - Megan
- “Morning Paula, my brother, his wife and kids came down to see my new house recently. I’d been stuck in the rental for years. So the kids fly round the house and the smallest, Charlotte, comes back to me and says Olga are you an adult now?! Light bulb moment about what my brother thought of me!”
- “Paula I am 40 next month with 2 kids. I haven't had that moment yet. Does that mean I am not a grown up? yeehaa!” - Brian in Louth
- “Hi Paula, my light-bulb moment was when the kids on the road kicked the ball off my window and I had to go to the door and ask them to move. That was the moment I thought it’s happened, I've become that man that used to run us away when we were kids!” - Liam in Ashbourne
- “When I walked into the house at 8am and no one cared I was out all night doing god knows what.”
- “Hi Paula. You realise you're old when you're working with people who were not even born for Italia 90 or USA 94!” - Peter
- “Paula I saw of group of teenage girls wearing half nothing at a shopping centre last week and I thought, would you ever cover up. I’m old and cranky now!”
- “Morning Paula My grown up moment was At 42 I married an amazing girl with 3 kids - suddenly I’m responsible for more than just me - wow so grown up!” - Benny
- “Called for jury duty at age 31 and I got an awful fright at the responsibility!”
- “Hey Paula- there was a student working at my office this summer. During the course of a conversation it turns out his girlfriend’s mother was my religion teacher in secondary school who went on maternity leave to have her when I was in second year! Ahh!” - Joseph in Wexford
- “I knew I was grown up when I had to pay out wages to my first employee. Jesus that was one big light bulb moment. Still have nightmares!” - Tom
- “Paula, I was playing football with my nephew Tadgh, and one of the kids from the estate came over and said, "hey Tadgh, If I get my brother can we play against you and your granddad. I'm only 37!” - Jeff
I’m an adult????? How the feck did this happen!! Why didn’t somebody stop this! I blame the parents and the government! https://t.co/czSwaeqluz
— John Byrne (@geocowboy) October 4, 2017
47, two kids, heart surgery........still waiting
— Seán O'Maoilruadh (@SeanMulroy1) October 4, 2017
I just bought a house moved in last Sat, I've already set aside jeans for cutting grass and a stick for mixing paint. I've become my Dad.
— Ray C (@OCuinneagain) October 4, 2017
When I opened my Mothers fridge to see was she was eating properly, instead of seeing if there was something nice I could snaffle.
— Clancy (@OverflowRanch) October 4, 2017
when I was cleaning a toilet with a toothbrush :(
— William O' Connor (@oconcubhair) October 4, 2017
When a meeting in the bank told me I should plan for my funeral 🙈
— Gemma Marie (@TheLolitaDoll) October 4, 2017
Minding myself when I was sick.
— Shauna O'Reilly (@grandantor) October 4, 2017
Pension! 😬
— Emma H (@emmabear88) October 4, 2017
Not babies, or our wedding, or getting my 1st car....it was opening a joint bank account after 5 yrs of marriage!
— Annette Freeman (@Annette_Freeman) October 4, 2017
