17 and moving out

[Guest]

I am 17 and a half and I recently got into a argument with my parents, and they had agreed to let me move in with my boyfriend of 4 years. With that being said, is it smart to do this? I was happy at first but now am kinda nervous about it, do other teenagers do this ever? Other members of my family don't agree with this, will they hate me for it?

[ccsmod1]

Thank you for reaching out to us for help. It is natural and understandable to have second thoughts about moving in with your boyfriend. Moving in with a person you are dating is a big step for couples of any age, and living together can put a lot of strain on a relationship. You said you argued with your parents and they agreed to let you move in with your boyfriend. While your parents can give you permission to live with your boyfriend, they can also take that permission back at any point. We have heard from youth whose parents told them it was okay to move out, who later called the police and reported them as a runaway. If your parents changed their mind, they could call the police and force you to come home, no matter what they had said earlier. It may be good to talk to your parents again and make sure they are truly on board with you moving out.
You asked if other teens ever do this. We hear from youth all the time who want to or have moved in with a boyfriend or girlfriend. It doesn’t always work out. It may be a good idea to think about a backup plan if things don’t turn out the way you planned. Having a plan for what you would do if you broke up, or considering whether your parents would let you come back if you need to could help you avoid a crisis. If your boyfriend lives with family, you could talk to them to make sure that you are welcome and talk about any expectations. If you are feeling uneasy and nervous about moving in, it is okay to pay attention to and listen to those feelings! If you need to talk, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can talk through your options and help you make a plan to stay safe and deal with your situation. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck!