Gentle Parenting
For Kayleigh's Micro Fiction Challenge
It’s insignificant for a thirteen year old to walk to the bus stop alone. When Sarah asked, she was all of nine, and mama said no. What if she was kidnapped?
So she stopped asking. She became mama’s confidante.
Now she’s in therapy for anxiety, trauma.
Growing up is scary.
A/N: This was written for Kayleigh Fraser's 50-word micro fiction challenge.
About the Creator
Mackenzie Davis
“When you are describing a shape, or sound, or tint, don’t state the matter plainly, but put it in a hint. And learn to look at all things with a sort of mental squint.” Lewis Carroll
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Copyright Mackenzie Davis.
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Comments (15)
Oh it's a hard balance to strike!
truly scary
Scary for parents and I feel lucky to be alive after waiting alone when little for the school bus! A well deserved Top Story!
Ooo. The implications are huge. 😱 Fab micro. Congratulations.
Congratulations on your top story.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
How da fuck did I miss this? I thought I read, commented it and liked it and all that like a good little Vocal friend. Oh well, this is beautifully written. Such a deft use of so few words and congrats on this getting Top Story! Good to have company beside me on the front page lol!
Woot woot! Top Story! Congratulations, Mackenzie!
Oof- the twist on how growing up could mean having to take care of the ones who are supposed to take care of you. When you used "insignificant" in the opening line, did you mean that as in, 'it shouldn't be an issue for her to do that'?
The fear of kidnapping was really drummed into me as a child. I think girls are taught to fear it more than boys, and as a result boys generally have more freedom, more access to public spaces (parks, sports facilities, etc) and more confidence :-/ xx
No kidding. No child should have to shoulder the responsibility of serving as one or the other of their parents' confidante.
Mackenzie, in so few words, you manage to capture so much of what I, a high school English teacher, see coming true for so many adolescents and young adults--that growing up sheltered does not necessarily keep us safe. Beautiful take on this challenge.
Apparently I'm the only one who doesn't get it 😅 If she didn't walk alone, then why is she in therapy?
I love the level of internal debate you just opened with this! A brilliant and unique take on the challenge. Nicely done 🤍🙏✨
There is a lot to be said about letting kids walk to school on their own! I remember biking for the first alone, my dad followed me in the car just to make sure I took the proper route :) Actually hit the curb and flipped over my handlebars lol lucky for me I hit grass not pavement haha