I hope you won't be mad for my saying this, but is it not a bit comforting that your mother actually admits now, that she was too harsh on you back then, and that she seems to regret it?

I had some similar things going on as a kid. Just like you I happened to mention them to my mother now that my own children have the same age.
In my case, my mother defended herself: in those days things were totally different, all children walked to school by themselves, besides, nothing bad ever happened, so what's the problem? She really has no idea about how scared I was, not then, and not now.

Makes me feel very sad, after all those years. I guess I hoped for some acknowledgement...