Revealing Unbelievable Things All Oklahoma Kids Do Before 18

Whether we learned these things from our parents or from bad decisions, almost all Oklahoma kids experience these unbelieve things before they're 18.

Driving Before 16

Most parents across the country let the kiddos learn from the professionals in "driver's ed," but in Oklahoma, it isn't uncommon to find children much younger behind some vehicle; albeit they may be on their own land, but the parents are encouraging an early start in the driving world. In rural areas, it isn't uncommon to find children as young as 5 years old on mini-motorcycles, four-wheelers or even a tractor. Some say good parents give children that early start.

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Taking Their First Sip of Alcohol

As much as we don't like to picture it, public schools expose children to a lot of things early on. "Monkey see, monkey do" can be a catalyst for children growing up way too fast when it comes to alcohol. According to landmarkrecovery.com, Oklahomans between 12 to 20 years old, 20 percent of the population, reported having used alcohol within a month from their report. It's an unfortunate truth that, regardless of where they have it exposed to them, it's almost inevitable.

Backroad Parties, Pasture Parties or Bonfires

Speaking of alcohol, there's a good chance they might find some at backroad or pasture parties. Of course, these are more commonly found in rural Oklahoma, but research is showing that more people are leaving the hustle and bustle of city life and moving to more affordable areas in small towns. And with the move comes small town living, which is sure to include at least one of these parties before the end of someone's high school career.

Bringing Home Unwanted Guests

Although not everyone is an animal lover in Oklahoma, there's a good portion of people who do. In fact, Oklahoma is ranked number 8 in the list of highest pet ownerships, with 65 percent of citizens owning pets. Kids and their curious minds, plus impulsivity and love for animals will most assuredly result in a parent coming home one day to a new critter in the home.

Learning To Shoot A Gun

Regardless of your stance on gun control, Oklahoma is still known for being a "good ol' boy" state; meaning, you'll find more families that practice safe gun handling practices than not. Many families start with simple BB guns or pellet guns that are easy to handle, not loud and do the least amount of damage. These types of guns are perfect for teaching children to be aware of their firearm, learn to point and aim, be conscious of what they're shooting at and what's around their target and much more.

Moms out there: we realize you're doing your best. Some parents are teaching these practices, while in some cases, children are learning these things on their own. Regardless, you're still a good parent - even if they can cross these off their bucket list before they are 18.