Kids these days don’t know how lucky they are. If you’re feeling a little startled after eagerly agreeing with that statement just now, well you should, because you’re old.
It’s tough getting older but we all turn into our parents eventually. It’s the realization you’re turning into your parents that’s particularly disturbing. The simple pleasures and invincibility of childhood slip away and we’re left with crippling anxiety, back pain, and debt (you know, the fun stuff we dreamt of as kids).
As a child, there was nothing more annoying than having an adult tell you “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
They made it seem like such wisdom and knowledge is only granted to those who have reached a certain age and that age was an achievement worth looking forward to. What a rip-off. Yeah, after years of mistakes and disappointment, we do now, in fact, understand. But it’s not all bad, at least there will always be little kids around to tell them that one day they too will understand when they’re older.
Redditor u/dickdockdack, likely after having the realization that they too had turned into their parents, asked the people of Reddit:
“What is the single most “You’ll understand when you’re older” thing?”
And the replies will have you shouting “Amen” just before feeling like you should be at bingo night after catching the early bird special at the ol’ Cracker Barrel.
1.
“Nice is not the same as kind. Nice is image management. Kind is caring about other people.” –eastwardarts
2.
“Time off. Working crazy hours in my early 20s was nice because I had a lot of money but as I became older and more involved with my now fiancé and my friends I realized that there’s a balance. This drove me to look for a job with a little less pay but far better hours and now I’m happy. Don’t work like a slave, you’ll miss a lot of good things in life.” –RedsInABox
3.
“Can we get McDonald’s? No we have food at home.” –ninten-dont
4.
“Hand me downs. I absolutely hated them, even though my grandma was a genius with them. Dyeing, artistic patches, new buttons. They just didn’t last compared to the new clothes my older sister had. Then I had 3 boys in 6 years. I’m seriously grateful that my grandma tried so hard to make my hand me downs look good. I get it now.” –eeyoremarie
5.
“Understanding why your parents wanted you to go play with the awkward kid, or why they were so keen to help you make friends. It’s beyond annoying as a kid when your parents try to guide who make friends with, but most parents instinctually know that bad social habits start early, are hard to break, and can be a real burden when you are older.” –zazzlekdazzle
6.
“Good people aren’t always nice people, and vice versa.” –bibbidibobbidi-bacon
7.
“Why it’s so annoying when you forget to take the chicken out of the freezer.” –steviebergwijn
8.
Friendships fading away. I remember my dad telling me all kinds of cool stories about things him and his friends did in the past. I even asked him “why aren’t you still friends with these people?” He really did basically say “it’s complicated, you’ll understand when you’re older.” Even back then I remember thinking “that’s crazy, me and my friends will always be friends.” Sitting here now in my early 30’s and it really hits home.” –Slowjams
9.
“It is possible to do everything right and still fail. Don’t let it consume you. Pick up the pieces and move on.” –distrucktocon
10.
“Not helping every person who says they’re in need. Some folks’ll con your ass.” –leatherrecliner