Latchkey Blues

As a parent, I am both elated and depressed that my kids grow up so fast. It was not long ago that they were taking their first steps, and then heading off to kindergarten, middle school, and high school. I remember walking with then to and from their elementary school and talking about all kinds of subjects.

One fall morning, I informed them that they would have to take the bus home, since I would not be home in time to get them. I joked about them being latchkey kids, even though they used a code to get into the garage. Neither of them knew what a latchkey kid was, so I had to explain it to them.

The conversation started me thinking about what my kids would do while I was not home. They are supposed to get their homework done as soon as they get in and have a light, healthy snack. I knew better than to get my hopes up. They already had a history of raiding the kitchen for sweets and watching too much television.

I wrote a poem about what I thought my son would do as a latchkey kid and I hope someday he might write some music to go along with it. I hope you enjoy it.

Latchkey Blues

by A. T. Baron

 

I walked home from school; my mom wasn’t home.

So I went inside and sat there alone.

Called up my friends to come over to play.

But at their homes is where they said they had to stay.

 

I’m a latchkey kid, that’s how I survive.

By sittin’ at home alone from two-thirty till five.

 

Sat down to do homework. Couldn’t concentrate.

‘Cause I was so tired from staying up too late.

Went in search for a snack. Needed something real sweet.

That’s when I found two pounds of candy to eat.

 

I’m a latchkey kid, that’s how I survive.

By sittin’ at home alone from two-thirty till five.

 

I played on the Wii, the Nintendo too.

Kept looking around but there was nothing to do.

Went and surfed on the web. Chatted with this guy.

He said he was eight but he was really THIRTY-FIVE.

 

I’m a latchkey kid, that’s how I survive.

By sittin’ at home alone from two-thirty till five.

 

Then my mom got home, asked how my day was.

The problem was I had a gummy bear buzz.

Couldn’t tell her where I was or what I did.

Said I worked on subtraction…‘cause I’m just a kid.

 

I’m a latchkey kid, that’s how I survive.

By sittin’ at home alone from two-thirty till five.

 

Oh, a latchkey kid, that’s what I am.

I’m all by myself but I’m still the man.

I’m a latchkey kid, that’s how I survive.

By sittin’ at home alone from two-thirty till five.