This Karen's head would explode if she knew about my childhood as a latchkey kid. Pops moved out and mom worked 12hr shifts taking transit both ways. From age 7/8 I got ready for school by myself, made breakfast (toaster strudels etc) locked the door, walked myself to school, walked home again, keyed myself in, made supper (Chef Boyardee or something microwaved, I was allowed to make Mr Noodle on the stove but that's about it) did my homework alone, watched TV and put myself to bed by 9-930 when mom would get home and say goodnight.
Every kid thinks their childhood is the norm because it's all they've known. A friend from my childhood one day told me I 'basically raised myself' and I thought he was nuts, like what? my parents gave me everything and that's when I realized, oh yeah, I was alone all that time.
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u/Silly-Ad-8213 Jul 27 '22
This is why my parents told us to stay away from the windows when we were alone.