Growing up is one of the hardest things we have to do, or I think it is, and it's not only hard for us, it's also hard on our parents and loved ones. One second you are a carefree kid whose biggest problem is whether or not you're going to be able to play outside for recess because it's raining.

The next, you're a young adult having to get straight As, an internship before senior year, and a job to help pay for your apartment and college. I know so many people who have taken advantage of the time they've been given as a kid, and I won't say I didn't; it's hard when you're young to want to be young.

You just want to be like everyone around you and do grow up things because it seems like so much fun and so easy and cool. I remember when I was little, I would always get upset when people didn't think I was older than I was, or when people “didn't treat me like an adult,” and I know kids who feel that way even today.

I see 13-year-olds dressing like they are my age and wearing enough makeup to be a dancer on rehearsal night; sometimes they can look clown-like. But then there are also girls who look like they are older than me when they are sixteen years old and want to flirt with guys who are 23. I just don't understand what happened to people's childhoods and how we can get them back. People should be enjoying their time as young people.

Now, the reason I say it's also hard for our parents and loved ones is that imagine having a 16-year-old daughter that looks 20 dressing up and going out and having people think she is older.

When it comes down to it, most people don't matter when it comes to what age they think your daughter is until there is a 25-year-old guy who thinks that they have a chance with your little girl; that's scary. I do not know how dads do it nowadays. Even when I was little it was bad, but now it is much, much worse because these girls can actually get away with it and be treated like adults when they really aren't.

Also, I am in no position to judge because I was once thirteen years old wanting to be twenty. Now that I'm 20 I want to be that 13-year-old again.

Little did I know when I was younger, that life isn't easy especially when you are taking care of yourself or doing adult-y things. It comes with a lot of pressure and stress, but it also comes with a lot of fun when you are actually old enough to enough it.

So, for all of you who have younger siblings or people who look up to you, tell them to enjoy being young when they can because soon the wave of responsibilities will hit them and they will wish they would have.