Muffins used to mean love. Now they mean surveillance. Somewhere along the way, a mother’s check-ins turned into a live tracking system with commentary. Nothing says family time like your mom showing up in your lobby because your dot stopped moving.

Life360 was supposed to keep people safe in storms. Now it’s the storm. The app that started as peace of mind turned into a full-time job for anxious parents. Every ping a new reason to worry, every address a new theory. The mom here calls it caring, but it looks a lot like control with a sweet smile and baked goods.

The daughter tries to keep things calm. Offers phone calls, boundaries, time together on her terms. Mom hears betrayal. That’s the thing about digital leashes. Once people get used to knowing everything, they mistake distance for danger. There’s no villain, just love that forgot how to stop refreshing the map.