Growing up, you don't realize how much your parents do for you and how much you rely on them. The little, everyday things they do usually go underappreciated until you're without. I can think of many things my parents did for me or that I had when I was living at home, that I didn't appreciate as much as I do now.

1. Home-cooked meals

One of the biggest things I miss the most about living at home is a good home-cooked meal made by my mom or grandmother. Being out on my own now and a broke college student, I eat nothing but fast food and easy to make foods at home because it's really all I can afford. Sometimes, I would appreciate nothing more than a meal cooked by my mom.

2. Free housing

Probably the biggest adjustment for me was having to pay for rent. No one likes to pay bills and living at home, that's one thing you really didn't have to worry about.

3. Quiet/Me time

Usually, when you move out for the first time you miss things about home and your household. However, one thing I do not miss about my household was the noise level in it. I've always grown in kind of a loud house with a loud family so, I really really appreciate my quiet time.

4. My parents

As a kid, we didn't understand how to really appreciate our parents or didn't show them enough appreciation. Now that I am older and out on my own, I appreciate my parents more than anything. They've done so much for the last 20 years to help get me to where I am today and it took leaving them for me to really see that. Moving out and not seeing them all the time as really made me value them and the relationship I hold with them individually.

5. My education

Everyone dreads going to school and no one likes having to get up early to do. Before going to college, I didn't think much of my education or put as much effort into. I also didn't have to pay for it. Now that I'm in college, I've learned to appreciate my education more because I've learned how important it really is.

6. My little brothers

Yes, I have learned to appreciate those little wild boys. It's much more important for me now to spend time with them and make memories with them when I can before they're "too cool" for their older sister.

7. My friends back home

A lot of friendships don't last after high school because of people going off to college. I've lost a lot of friends after high school, simply because I moved away and our friendship just drifted apart. My friends who still keep in touch with me on a daily basis and come visit me are the ones that I will have forever and appreciate very much.

8. My freedom

Don't get me wrong, I love being at home and with my family but, my freedom has taught me a lot of life lessons, adulting, and showed me how independent I could really be.

9. Family time

Yes, I like my quiet time but, I get so much of it, that now I really really appreciate the time I get to spend with my crazy, loud family.

10. My job

I got my first job when I was 15 so working was really just for me to have spending money without asking my parents for it. Now, I have to work harder for my money and I can't just use it for spending it on anything I want. You don't realize how much you should appreciate having a job until you're paying your own bills and living paycheck-to-paycheck.