Maturity

How do you define maturity?

I have been struggling with how to categorize maturity. My oldest DD is turning 13 and we have had a few talks lately about maturity. We have discussed that it is important to present yourself in the best light and to put your maturity on display through making good decisions, being able to converse with others intelligently and generally presenting a positive face to the public.

I have a couple of reasons for discussing this now. I need to reinforce responsibility and to me that is connected directly to showing maturity. She needs to prove that she is ready to take on responsibility. She holds an officer position within the 4-H club and she needs to be a leader. She is also a jr. leader. Just by the name you can see that the above statement is true. Furthermore, she is now one of only three eighth graders in her school. She is the only one who has been at this school since kindergarten. She has to be the leader. She must demonstrate the maturity of being part of the oldest portion of the student body. She is a good kid and she needs to model that behavior on a daily basis.

Additionally, she has chosen to take on projects that put her in contact with the public. She must present herself in the best possibly light. People around here have long memories. What she does and how she presents herself now will have impact on her for years to come.

So how do you define maturity?