by Pat C.
Three more days, two more days, one more day, Yes! It’s finally my eighteenth birthday, I am finally an adult. I can now live on my own and fend for myself.
This is a common misconception of many young people who turn the age of eighteen. At least that is how it was for me. Before my arrival at The Family Foundation School I thought, ‘the day I turn eighteen means that I can do whatever I want. I mean, I will be able to buy cigarettes, go to clubs, and live on my own’; aren’t these all things that constitute being an adult in a teenager’s eyes?
For many students at FFS turning eighteen can be a big deal. When a student turns eighteen they have the option of “walking,” or leaving the school, because technically they are adults and can make their own decisions about what they want to do with their life. For most, this is a mistake because they realize they can’t do it on their own and have a lot of emotional and intellectual growing up to do. Kendra S. of Family Seven said, “Eighteen was just a number, because when I was left to my own devices I resorted back to everything I was doing before FFS,” when asked about her experience when she walked from the school the day she turned eighteen.
For me, turning eighteen at the school wasn’t all that it is “hyped” up to be by the other students. There are a few material benefits to being eighteen at the school such as drinking coffee and being able to do running club Saturday mornings with Tommy Cummings, but that’s really about it. Turning eighteen isn’t about the material benefits though, it is about realizing that it is my choice to stay at the school and becoming involved in recovery not only for my family but myself as well. I have realized that by turning eighteen and being considered an adult in society it is time for me to grow up and stop running away from my problems.
My advice for anyone who just recently turned eighteen or is about to turn eighteen is to be real with yourself about how “grown-up” you really are. Yes, physically you are eighteen but what about emotionally and intellectually? This was something that was very important in my growth in becoming a young man (I still have a lot more work to do on myself). Turning eighteen should mean taking responsibility for your actions by doing the right thing, and to grow up and begin being the man or woman you want to be to your spouse. Instead, for many kids at the school and in society, it has become another reason to run away from growing up by either “walking” from the school or moving out of their parents’ house.
Turning eighteen can be very exciting for many young people but when the day actually comes, many students say they feel exactly the same. Ross A. of Family Six said, “turning eighteen was hard, but it is a blessing that I decided to stay at FFS.” Being eighteen is nice because I am an adult, but it really isn’t all that it is cracked up to be.
