When did I become a grown up?

I've been thinking that my life has gone in three stages, at least with regards to information gathering about my family. The first stage was when I was little, and I didn't pay any attention to things that were going on, and no one bothered to tell me anything. In some ways, that was the best stage, because I didn't have to worry about things, either. The next stage was when I wanted the information, and would have to ask my parents for it. Sometimes they would give it to me, sometimes they wouldn't, but it was definitely censored.

Now I think I'm in a third stage, where I'm given information without asking (usually!), or if I do ask, I'm given a much more detailed version. I still think some information is withheld, but generally not as much and I've come to realize if it is withheld, it's either because I don't need to know or it's simply not my business. This stage is the worst in some ways, because it means I now have all the information I need to worry about the people I love. In other ways it's the best, because I now have all the information I need to best help the people I love. I still sometimes wish this stage hadn't arrived, but I don't think there's anything you can do to prevent it.