Did being a latch key kid make you more independant?
Do you think it had any effect on your developement?
Answer:
I was lonely. I was in 2nd grade I had a key on a string around my neck tucked under my shirt because I had lost a key before. I came home watched TV, and had a snack. I would light toothpicks on fire o the end using a toaster, and pretended to smoke..lol
My mom would come home and make dinner and do housework. I would play with my barbie or color or play house. My mom would put me to bed, then she would wake me up with a phone call to go to school. I would have a bowel of cereal, and go to the bus stop. When I got older, and had a boyfriend I would have sex with him while my mom was at work just like most of the other latch key kids do. I had that same boyfriend from the time I was fifteen until I was 21. More responsible yes. Lonely and sad ditto!
i learned how to cook and set up rides to go places among other things when i was 10 years old. So i would say yes.
I had both parents, but they worked. After my grandmother died when I was 10ish, I had to look after myself until they came home. I believe yes it did make me more independent. I had to be responsible and not get into trouble, look after the cats and dog, start dinner, etc. I really don't think it was a hardship. There was just no choice and it worked out fine.
I came from a 2 parent household. My parents worked hard and made good money doing it, so being home for us wasn't priority. We started coming home (without a sitter) when my bro was 10 and I was 8. My parents came home about 2 hours after we did. We were expected to have our homework done and waiting for inspection, the table set for dinner, and the prepwork done for dinner. (I wasn't allowed to use a knife the first few years, but I could rip lettuce for a salad, or get the chicken ready for the oven, etc.) We were allowed to play outside if our homework and chores were done, but only if the next door neighbors were home, to keep an eye on us. I'm now a hard working mom of 2 boys, 8 and 11. While they're not latch key kids, they come home from school (they go to grandmas) have a snack and do their homework, help make dinner, etc. I think it made a world of difference to me, I know so many kids who rely on their parents for everything, even now that they're grown.
Both of my daughters were latch key kids after me and their dad divorced. They are both college educated and fine upstanding adults.
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