What does the word Grown mean? Webster's definition of the word defines it as having reached your growth, developed; mature. The think-they-know-it all adults from the older generation defines GROWN as having a J-O-B, paying all your bills and getting out of their house and into your own.
The young folk's definition? We'll let's just say it's a bit different from the others. Grown: Doing what I want, when I want and not giving a care in the world about whoever got something to say about it. We march to our own beat, not anyone else's. So, here's a little example of what your “grown son or daughter” will tell you when that special moment occurs .Don't tell me not to date Man-Man or Tasia because he or she is not “up to your standards.” They like me, not you. Don't tell me what clothes to wear. It doesn't matter if you bought them or not. Just because they're too baggy, too tight or skimpy, they still look good on me. Don't give me a curfew and tell me I better come home at a decent hour or the locks would be changed. I'm eighteen now therefore that means I don't need rules. Don't make decisions for me. I have a brain and common sense which means I can make sound decisions without any input from those in my life. Don't tell me who to hang out with. Just because you don't like Little Dee or Shaniqua, contrary to your belief they're not the bad influences on me. I'm the one who's actually in control of my life. A life that I have to live with day in, day out.
See, the years before the age of eighteen, we were told what to do, how to do it and when to do it. That type of control can drive anyone crazy. So naturally when that special birthday arrives, we immediately go buck wild and in the process we take control of our lives. The control that Janet Jackson talks about in her career-defining song. The control that we all longed for every time our parents tell us no, you can't do this or no, you can't go there. For some parents it's hard to give your kids that type of control because of the tight reins they have on them and the world is so different and crazy from their days. They want their kids to be babies for always, to protect them from anything or anybody. We all know that dream cannot become a reality. Eventually they have to grow up, hence the word GROWN. You have to let them do their own thing because at the end of the day you can't tell a GROWN person what to do. They don't listen. We should all know that.
