I'm like "why didn't you say it in the beginning that she is safe?" My heart almost jumped out of my chest when you mentioned she was still in the forest by 11pm.

Thank God my daughter's school in the same city with mine. It's not a guarantee she won't go off the radar at some point, but it's a relief I can quickly drive to her school to visit or track her if I feel off. Jeez! Damn technology.

I think our parents worried less because then they were raised in the face of danger. So they learned a certain kind of freedom to let the child find their way to adulthood.

But now, parents want to practically do everything for their children including shielding them from danger.

Parents are not supposed to be shields. We are guardians. Our job is to guide the child on the right path and be there to help them find their way when they err. When we act as shields, we prevent them from learning the dangers they must face in life.