'My Mom Doesn't Let Me Do Anything': Go Ask Wally

NATICK, MA - He’s a bonafide Internet sensation, and probably the biggest bunny celebrity to hit social media. Wally the Bunny has 217,000 followers on Instagram,and he’s been featured in numerous media outlets, including People Magazine, CNN, Good Morning America and the Boston Globe.

Now, Wally (and Molly) assist and entertain Patch readers each week with the advice column “Go Ask Wally.” Each week, we’ll field questions from readers, and pick the most interesting one, with Wally answering one question each Monday on Natick Patch.

QUESTION: Hi Wally,

Your pictures on Instagram always make me laugh, even if I’m having a bad day! My mom doesn’t let me do ANYTHING. (Sorry if this sounds whiny but it’s the truth.) She won’t let me watch the movies and TV shows everyone else is watching, has so many parental controls on my phone I can barely do anything, and DOES NOT TRUST ME WITH ANYTHING AT ALL. Recently, she found out that me and my friend started an Instagram account to share our love of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games (which she wouldn’t let me watch the movie of), and Percy Jackson with others. She’s either going to delete the account, or sign into it on her phone so she can see what I’m doing on it. I loved using the account and I had lots of fun going on it!! But now it’s going to be taken away like everything else I enjoy in my life. So basically I want to know how I can keep it without her monitoring it and how to be allowed to do things I know i should be allowed to do. (I’m 13 by the way though you wouldn’t think that from the way my mom treats me.) If you respond, please send a pic!!

Really need help figuring this out,

Anonymous Wick

ANSWER: Hi! I will call you “Anony,” short for “Anonymous.” It’s ME, Wally! Guess what, Anony? I know how you feel! You are like an herbless bunny! Allow me to explain. Imagine that you’re peering through a tall fence into a beautiful garden of herbs – my favorite! But your mom has the key! There are two ways to get inside: (1) gnaw through the fence, leaving behind a destructive pile of sawdust, or (2) speak to your mom about granting you access. I know it’s hard to believe, but I imagine your mom wants you to be happy, safe, and live life to your greatest potential! Let us discuss a way into the garden of herbs.

First, you must answer this question: How will eating those herbs provide you with the sustenance, happiness, and health you need to jump your highest and twirl with grace and confidence? You must be prepared to explain to your mom how your activities positively impact you. Do they allow you to be creative? Strengthen your friendships? Motivate you to complete your homework? Think about this important question and write down your genuine answers. Once you gain clarity, it will be easier for your mother to understand how these activities bring you joy and positively affect your life.

Now, here’s the hard part, Anony. You must open your heart and mind to your mom, as well. Allow her to express her fears and hesitations. Since your mom has not sought advice from Wally the Bunny – as you have wisely done – you must give her some time to prepare her own answers. Ask her if in the next few days you could discuss your Instagram use. Let her know that you want to understand her hesitations so that you can collaborate on a plan that feels good to both of you.

Now, forgive me, Anony, but I must reveal this truth: you will likely have to agree to certain rules and expectations, including monitored use – at first. It may seem so unfair that you have to build trust even if you’ve never done anything to weaken it or lose it! But building trust is different in every family! Imagine that trust is a snow fort. Some parents are comfortable accepting that the fort of trust already exists, and that only if it crumbles or melts, must it be rebuilt. Other parents, like your mom, may feel comfortable beginning with a smoothly packed surface and gradually constructing the fort snowball by snowball. Either way is okay. What’s most important is the strength of your fort!

How frustrating it must be to feel like your snow fort is much harder to build than all of your friends’ forts, especially now that you’re thirteen! But remember, Anony: compassionate and honest communication will create a smooth foundation on which to begin building. But keep your mittens on! The stronger your snow fort, the greater your eventual freedom and independence!

Wally (and his mom) fields questions that range from life’s conflicts and local politics to social etiquette to general hygiene and fashion tips. If Wally thinks the question is beyond his scope of expertise, he will pass it to his administrative team.

So what say you? Have you a question for Wally? We will compile them here at Patch and feature one question and answer each week. Send your questions to charlene.arsenault@patch.com. Or post your query in the comments section.

Photo Credit: courtesy Molly Prottas