I want to leave.

[Guest]

Okay, so I'm in the Sammamish area of Washington state. I'm 15 year old guy and live with my 2 bros and my parents. It's not that I get abused or anything, I just don't mix with my parents and we get really angry at each other. They think they're always right and even when we all know that I am right they just tell me "We're your parents, and even if we are wrong you listen no matter what." And it just drives me nuts. I am a really headstrong person and when I get.....caged up like that it just makes me want to cry and yell and I dont even know what.

I have a job and I make about $60 every two weeks because I work every Sat. for about 5 hours coaching. I want to be free but I am always being just locked up by my parents. My dad freaks out whenever he sees me texting on my phone and he already took it away more than I could count for sending like one message. And no matter what I am doing, my mom always finds something to lecture me about. No joke. I decided to count today how many times i got lectured for the smallest thing like touching her desk on accident while walking by or something like that, and I counted 36 times. I mean, I just can't take it. And when I tell her "okay, i get it" she just says "you know what, that was extremely rude...." and keeps on going for another lecture which just makes me mad because it never stops. Then there's the problems with friends. I never get to hang out with friends. Ever. Literally. Not even talk on the phone. I will try to go meet my friend at the park or something and my parents will flip because they say that I hang out with my friends too much and its a bad influence. The last time I saw my best friend was about 3 months ago. I have talked to him maybe 4 times on the phone since, while I was at work away from my parents. I just can't take it anymore. I want to be free. But I don't want to worry my parents if I run away. I have a bike and I plan on still going to school everday and yah if they call me I'm going to answer my phone and talk but I just want to be myself. I don't do drugs, no alcohol, I am extremely religious and plan to keep it that way. I would probably live either at school or at work because I am really close to my manager and one of my teachers. And in Sammamish there aren't like druggies or homeless people all over like some cities. Its rather safe here. I think.

I know I dont have it nearly as bad as some but I just cant take it here. It is like being in prison.

Any more suggestions or info would be SO SO appreciated.

Thank you.

[ccsmod0]

Re: I want to leave.

Thank you for posting a bulletin on the National Runaway Switchboard website. It sounds like things at home with your parents has become unbearable and we can see why you feel your parents and you don’t mix. Home shouldn’t feel like a prison and we are sorry that it feels like being caged up. How long has this been going on? We are glad that you contacted us, before you reached you breaking point of wanting to cry and yell, but you have the rights to your feelings of anger, sad and mad. You are a responsible 15 years old for looking into possible options. Is it the same for your brothers in the way your parents treat them? Yes, being lectured about small things can get to a person especially since this has been on-going and occurred 36 times in your counting! Have you felt comfortable in asking your dad about why he get upset about text messaging or has he talked to you about his reason? Also not being able to hang out with your friends or not being allowed to talk to your friends sounds frustrating and that your parents feel that they are a bad influence on you. It must be tough not being allowed to see your best friend either in the last 3 months. It seems like you have a plan about running away and that it is good to consider your options. Have you run away before? Have you told anyone about what has been going on at home and that you want to runaway? If not, do you feel it would be ok to talk to someone about it (teacher, boss, brothers or friends)? Do you think your parents would file a runaway report? Not wanting to worry your parents is very considerate of you and that you would still answer their call to talk. Have you talked to the teacher or boss that you are close about possibly living at the school or work? If those options didn’t work out, do you have a back up plan? How long would you stay gone to have time for yourself? It is great that you know that need to have some space away your parents and that you plan to continue with school.

We are a 24/7 confidential crisis hotline and we are contacted for several different reasons, such as yours. We are nonjudgmental and feel that everyone situation is just as important as the next. You would like to discuss further and we can also assist with resources, referrals, message service, and conference calling. You are welcome to call us here at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or if you want to post another bulletin. Take care and good luck!

[Guest]

Re: I want to leave.

Thanks for your response.

I haven't really talked to anyone about this. It has just been boiling up inside of me. And it isn't the same with my brothers. They are both younger than be by more than 5 years so it isn't a problem with them. I know I would be able to stay at work because I was talking to my boss and he said that if I ever need to there is a bedroom in the back in case you need a place to stay. I thought it was if I don't have a ride or just don't have time to go home or something but I guess I could use it for that too. I don't know how long I plan to be gone. It might just be a few days, or it could be for weeks. I just don't really know yet.

Thanks.

[ccsmod7]

Re: I want to leave.

Thanks for writing in again. It’s great that you have been able to open up about this problem because, as you said, it has been boiling up inside you for some time now. It’s good that you are trying to make a safe plan for yourself in case you do decide to leave. You mentioned being able to stay at work and that your boss said there was a bed in the back. Do you feel comfortable talking with your boss about the entire situation? Perhaps he would have some ideas to share, and it can also just help to vent to someone who may understand and lend support. In the end it is going to be your decision whether you leave your home or not. The most important thing is that you be safe. You can always call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY if you want to talk about the situation, look at options, or talk about what you are thinking of doing. We are here 24 hours a day to help. Best of luck and take care.