Out of Sight, Out of (Virtual) Mind

You'll never know what your kids are truly getting up to on their screens, but you can give them the tools to navigate it. These feelings brought to you by...Final Fantasy?

I vividly remember the first time my oldest left the house on her own, without me by her side. It was only a few houses down to hang out with a neighborhood kid, but it still meant she was going to leave our place, cross the street, and go somewhere without me double checking her work. The neighbor texted when she arrived, so the “what if?” tension lasted only a few minutes, but it was long enough to elevate my blood pressure. I could’ve watched her from the window, but truthfully, I forced myself not to watch. I wanted to trust her, and making that trust mean something meant I needed to start coping with the idea of her being out of sight and mind.

The reason this memory came to mind was, of all things, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. 

Very minor spoilers for Rebirth to follow! If you’re sensitive. I’ll mark when it’s clear.