As we grow older, we often forget the lessons we learned as children. Or, possibly, the things we learned as children have changed, either purposely or unintentionally.

As children, we played with others, either at school or in our neighborhood. Most of the time this play was peaceful even though we had disagreements. But sometimes, our disagreements turned into a crisis for us. The result was that they became shouting matches, sometimes minor fights, and we picked up our toys and went home. Once there, we told our parents, usually our mothers, that we “hated” the other person and never wanted to play with them again, or, in the worst case, never wanted to see them again. The response was often, “Go to your room and calm down. Grow up!”

Of course, the result of these life events was usually that we were playing with that same person the next day with neither of us remembering what cause the problem and having no concerns about it. So, we learned and, over time, we “grew up.” We really didn’t need our parents to get involved in most situations, only the most extreme.

Today, I look at the recent election and think that someone needs to say to many adults, grow up! It has been one week since the election. There are already fundraising efforts underway to demand recounts, there are claims of election fraud, and there is finger-pointing even within parties regarding who is to blame for losses and who should get credit for wins.  There are also predictions of gloom and doom, promises of retaliation or retribution, and even demands to change laws that have been in place throughout our history.

There are reports of celebrities claiming that they will leave the country because of the election results. Something I find highly unlikely given recent history and, if true, I believe we should wave to them as they go. Similarly, there is at least one state governor who has said that anything happening to his state will have to go through him. Perhaps he should look at the history of governors in his state who seem to follow their term in office with a term in Federal prison.

And, heaven forbid, the press seems to be unable to accept that the election is finished, and the American public has spoken. The press was simply out of touch during the entire election process. No matter how many pundits criticize the election results, or criticize voters, the results will not change. Perhaps there are more important things to focus on today and move forward. Stop talking about what you perceive as wrong and start looking at how we can make things better in the future (and respect the views of the average Joe, not the elite with whom you always agree).

Throughout our country’s history, we have had winners and losers in elections. Yet our country has survived. It will survive this time as well, no matter whether your side won or lost. Move forward, don’t dwell on the negative, and don’t hate those with whom you disagree. You are wasting your time and that of those around you. “Go to your room and GROW UP!”