"When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, (grown-up) I put away childish things," the apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 13:11 (New American Standard Bible).
As a child, I expected my parents to meet my physical needs and take me to church for my spiritual needs.
Today, it seems, some young adults who have gone to college and graduated but can't find a high paying job move home and live with their parents, straining their parents' resources physically and financially.
Here in Crestview, we have many young residents who serve in our military. These young adults are self-supporting, many are married with their own families and they make our country safer.
Numerous members of the armed services have the benefit of the military paying for their college education. My husband, Jim, joined the Army and used the G.I. Bill to pay for his college degree.
What is the difference between our service members and those who refuse to grow up?
I believe that we, as a society, don't expect as much out of our children as our parents expected from us.
When I was young, I had many household chores as well as school. My parents expected me to do what I was told and make excellent grades.
I desired to grow up and be on my own. I had no wish to live with my parents as an adult. I went to college, worked and soon moved out. Sometimes it was difficult to make ends meet, but I enjoyed the freedom.
I understand there are mitigating circumstances as to why adults live with their parents; this is not what I am talking about.
I have elderly parents. If it were possible, I would go live with them until I could find them some reliable help. It would also be nice to go help my aunt, who has cancer.
I refer to those who refuse to grow up — the Peter Pans of our society. They need to become responsible adults to face what life may throw at them.
Their parents won't always be there to protect them.
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview millennials — it's time to grow up