Every summer, my dad would wake me up around 9 a.m., make me breakfast, and send me outside for the day. Once I left, he locked the doors from the inside, and I wasn’t allowed back until the streetlights came on, except to use the bathroom or grab a drink. He always said, “You’re not sitting around the house all day.”

At the time, I believed it was simply his way of making sure I stayed active instead of spending the day indoors. My stepmom never questioned it either, assuming he was encouraging me to enjoy the outdoors like many parents did.

Since most of the neighborhood kids were outside during the day, I never thought anything was unusual. We spent our summers riding bikes, playing games, and staying out until evening, so my dad’s rule seemed completely normal.

Years later, I finally realized the real reason behind it. My dad wasn’t just encouraging outdoor play—he wanted the house to himself so he could relax and watch hockey games in peace while I happily spent the day outside with my friends.