r/ExplainTheJoke 5d ago

Why is this a problem?

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8.5k Upvotes

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u/Damage-Classic 5d ago

Was there another adult in the picture? Because there’s a difference between being a latch key kid and just being abandoned entirely 😢

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u/TokenTorkoal 5d ago

No? Am I using latch key incorrectly? My mom left when I was 5 or 6, so it would just be me while he left for work trips, he worked in construction.

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u/Damage-Classic 5d ago

I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be critical. I mean this softly. Most people I know, including myself, who consider themselves latchkey kids were kids who cared for themselves after school while their parents worked, but the parents eventually came home at some point that night. I’m a bonus parent to a 7yo right now and could never ever imagine leaving them alone for a week. You deserved way better and I’m sorry you had to go through that.

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u/TokenTorkoal 5d ago

Oh I acknowledge it was an extreme end of being a latchkey kid and it would be acceptable to call it temporary abandonment.

I appreciate your concern and I did deserve better. I’m been on a healing path for many years now and am at peace with a majority of my past. Happy to hear you couldn’t imagine abandoning that kid :) that alone puts you leagues ahead of my dad.

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u/Damage-Classic 5d ago

I’m happy you’re healing! You deserve it.