It's a strange habit amongst writers. It's like they can't imagine any other response to a percieved "trauma" (and I use this word in the way THEY mean it, meaning, a twiggy little emo affair) in order to get the effect they want; which is, a man-child who needs Mommy to help them Through The Trauma.

It drives me mad. Mad, I tell you!

I think its a limitation of imagination and/or experience. Or it's simply a kink that needs to go away or at least be clearly labelled (there's That WORD again!).

I know I'd appreciate a label. I've noticed some authors are kind enough to denote person and tense, which is great. Something like this, though, I wonder if they even know they're doing it.

And yeah. There are TONS of kidfic stories in SPN fandom, so they could get their kiddo kicks there just fine.