20 Things Kids Do That I Wish Were More Acceptable For Adults

Kids have it good, don't they? Sure, they get hung up on small issues (hello, anger management), but in general, life as a kid is pretty sweet. And after witnessing my children doing what they do best, be kiddos, the phrase in our household is generally "Oh, to be a kid again." Sometimes I wish I could go back so then I might really be able to appreciate all the rad things that are acceptable for kids but not so much for adults. Source: Flickr user Donnie Ray Jones

01

Getting Picked Up When They Are Done Walking

If kids suddenly decide they are tired and no longer want to walk, someone usually is there to pick them up. Just once, I'd love to get tired at the mall and have my husband say, "Here, honey, get on my shoulders." Source: Flickr user Mari Ma

02

Napping Whenever They Want

No explanation necessary. Source: Flickr user Lars Plougmann

03

Not Being Embarrassed to Be Naked Anywhere

I'm not embarrassed by my body, but I definitely am not going to feel comfortable coming downstairs in the middle of my parent's dinner party in my birthday suit. Source: Flickr user Todd Morris

04

Going Trick-or-Treating

When I am walking my kiddos up to the doors during Halloween and I see a bucket full of Reese's Pumpkins, a little part of me is really sad that it would be totally unacceptable to grab a roadie for myself, too. Source: Flickr user Steven Depolo

05

Taking What They Want

Kids see something they like, grab it, and take ownership over it. I would love to do that to my pal's new Louis Vuitton purse or my sister's iPhone 6, but I'm pretty sure if I did then it might be considered stealing. Source: Flickr user Valentina Powers

06

Spitting Out Food They Don't Like

One time I had a piece of chicken that I absolutely could not stomach. It was terrible, the chef was standing next to me, and I was in a room full of people. I wanted nothing more than to spit it out on my plate, just like my children do as soon as they decide something is not to their liking, but instead I had to find a way to discreetly get it out of my mouth (thank you, napkin). Source: Flickr user Quinn Dombrowski

07

Questioning Everything (and Everyone)

At some point on our path to adulthood, we stop feeling comfortable asking others personal questions for fear of prying or seeming overly nosey, but my kids will literally ask anyone anything. And it's awesome (most of the time) because it is almost always what I am wondering too. Source: Flickr user Clarkston SCAMP

08

Laughing at Body Noises

Farts and burps can be kind of funny and kids can laugh at it, but not adults . . . even though it's still funny! In fact, even snickering at the senior citizen who passed gas in front of me at the movies would be considered pretty rude. Source: Flickr user cheriejoyful

09

Wearing Their PJ's All Day

My kids can rock their pj's all day, and it's no biggie. If my husband comes home from work and I am still in my jammies, his first question would be "Are you sick?" Source: Flickr user Travis Swan

10

Being Unapologetic

Women, more so than men, suffer from apologizing for everything. We add a casual "I'm sorry" when it's often unnecessary. Sorry I was in your way. Sorry I was using the armrest on the airplane. Kids? Ha, they're only apologizing for the things they are forced into, and it's kind of refreshing! Source: Flickr user The Wu's Photo Land

11

Not Having a Filter

That woman drew on herself! That man's beard is braided! They'll say what they mean and mean what they say, and sometimes I wish I could do the same without looking like a total jerk-face. Source: Flickr user Billy Metcalf Photography

12

Singing Unabashedly

Kids (mine, at least) will belt out their favorite tunes while they're playing, doing homework, showering, or just riding in the grocery cart. They don't care who's listening. Me, not only am I mortified for anyone to hear my actual singing voice, but I also do not think my fellow shoppers would appreciate me singing "Let It Go" during checkout. Source: Flickr user David Simmonds

13

Correcting Anyone on Anything

Doesn't matter if it's your pastor, police office, mother-in-law, or just a random stranger. If a child hears something he thinks is wrong, he will let everyone know — and it can be (though not always) kind of cute. Adults who are constantly correcting others are not looked on as fondly, but sometimes you just really want to tell your know-it-all neighbor how it is. Source: Flickr user ashton

14

Riding in Grocery Carts

To this day I remember how fun riding in a grocery cart was — and this was before all the fancy car carts. Ever see a mom riding around in her cart? Nope. That's because it's socially unacceptable, and plus, who would push her, anyway? Source: Flickr user Juhan Sonin

15

Telling Everyone My Phone Number

If my daughter meets a new friend on the playground, she will rattle off my phone number so that her new friend's mom can call me to set up a playdate. Many times I have wanted to give another mom I just met my digits but didn't because I was worried about coming off as creepy. Source: Flickr user U.S. Embassy New Delhi

16

Using Band-Aids as Accessories

Angry Birds bandage across my nose? Seven Ariel bandages up and down my legs? I'm pretty sure folks would be looking at me wondering what the heck happened. Source: Flickr user Aaron Brinker

17

Having Lots of Celebrations

I'm not saying I need someone to cheer every time I go poopy in the potty, but kids get to celebrate everything, and it's pretty amazing. Source: Flickr user Nate Grigg

18

Getting All Their Needs Met

Parents work their butts off to make sure that every single one of their child's needs are met. Guess who's in charge of making sure my needs are met? Me! If I required someone else to feed, bath, and groom me, heads would be turning. Source: Flickr user Donnie Ray Jones

19

Jumping in Bounce Houses

Bounce houses are a lot of fun and a great form of exercise, so why don't they do adult bounce time (like they do with adult swim)? Source: Flickr user Gordon

20

Stopping Anything For Something They See

If my son saw an ant crossing the path in front of him, he would stop a funeral in order to point it out to everyone — and I often wish my mind wasn't so busy with my to-do list, my grocery list, and worrying about everything and everyone that I would even notice the small things, let alone be able to point them out to the nearest person. Source: Flickr user Eric Lewis

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