I don't think age offers an even trade. Having the ability to do whatever isn't worth the responsibilities you gain to do so. You may get to eat cookies whenever you want, but you can't throw a fit in the middle of the supermarket just because you're fussy and didn't get a nap. You may be able to stay up all night but you have to get yourself up in the morning or miss work and get fired. Then you can't pay rent and you become homeless. But as a kid you can miss school by faking a good sick voice and acting sad for an hour or so in the morning, and you're golden, eating jello and watching movies all day. Sure teachers flicker the lights when you talk too loud and you have to do jumping jacks in P.E. But at least if you're chubby, it's baby fat. And the excuse "But I don't know how" actually works.

I was listening to a kid throw a fit in Target yesterday when I started thinking about all this. He was really screaming too, getting hysterical. As I do sometimes, I found myself mentally rooting for the kid. That's right, scream. Throw the lipstick into the aisle. You call that stomping your feet? You're not even phasing your mom. I had to admit, the kid wasn't so bad at what he did. It made me wish I could go back for a little while. Throw down my detergent and bottled water. Kick and scream and cry. However, I was alone, and you just can't throw a fit unless there's some one there who loves you.