Adulting is hard. I get seriously overwhelmed with responsibilities almost daily. I don’t want so much responsibility, but it comes with the territory of being a grown up.

I get a major case of the “I don’t wannas” every morning when my 5:30 a.m. alarm goes off. I get it again every five minutes, when snooze goes off, until about 6 a.m.

I love my job and I love working, but good lawd it’s a lot of responsibility. What happens if I get sick? We can’t have a giant hole in the sports section because I couldn’t write any stories. It is my responsibility to make sure that never happens — not the getting sick part, but the making sure I have a backup plan for when I do.

And don’t get me started on my responsibilities at home! I have three little people (children, not actual “little people”) who count on me to feed them dinner Every. Single. Day.

On days when I’m exhausted, I’d be fine eating a bowl of cereal and calling it a night. But nooooo….. These little boogers want real food. So, it’s my responsibility to cook it for them. It’s my responsibility to make sure they have a clean uniform to wear to school every morning. It’s my responsibility to find a pair of socks for each of them. They have a total of 2,000 pairs of socks somewhere. Good luck finding them.

I sometimes resent all of my responsibilities (mostly because I’m exhausted at any given point in time and could fall asleep if I just closed my eyes), but I accept that I have them and do what needs to be done. Every day. Because I am a grown up.

Kids today have a lot more responsibility than I ever did growing up. For many of them, it’s a choice they made, not just something that’s thrown onto them.

High school sports take up a lot of time in every athlete’s life.

Football players have the responsibility of practicing after school most days of the week. They sometimes stay for hours after the final bell rings.

They commit to attend and participate in every Friday night football game of the season. The coach doesn’t care if you want to go on a date, spend time with your family or just take a night off. They made a commitment and now have that responsibility.

Volleyball players have the responsibility of attending every game, regardless of what day of the week it falls.

Last Saturday, Volleyball players from St. Charles Catholic competed in a tournament. It was the same day as the yearly homecoming dance.

Although many of the team members would have much rather spend the day getting pampered and dressed and ready for the dance, the Lady Comets volleyball team was playing a game. They were getting hot and sweaty instead of prepping for a formal event.

It was their responsibility and they handled it well. After all, the responsibility to their team was their choice.

These athletes are showing adult-level responsibility and it’s inspiring to me.

Their commitment and dedication to their teams shows amazing character and maturity.

I’ve officially decided to find myself an athlete to adult for me. High school kids have oodles more energy than I do, so I deem them ready to handle my responsibilities from this day forward.

I kid, of course. Maybe I should just drink a Red Bull.

By Courtney Griggs