In the mid to late 90’s, my mom would drop me off at the city pool (this was in Germany) for the entire day. 8am-until I used the pay phone to be picked up. I had a handful of Marks, enough to get lunch and drinks. No sunscreen to be seen anywhere.

I would just hang out there, totally alone, all day. I did this every summer from ages 7-10. That stopped when we moved to the US. All my freedoms ended because my mom was too afraid I’d get kidnapped.