I am 15 and i want to go live with my friends family

[Guest]

Hi, I am a 14 year old teen who just want's to have a fun summer. Last year I was sent to a boarding school, where I became depressed and miserable because I spent the whole year in that campus and was tired of it. I was looking forward to the summer because I thought I was going to be able to hangout with my friends and regain all the happiness I had before boarding school. My whole life has been tough, my single mother has sent me to several different homes where I was unhappy and never enjoyed being at home. Although I always have loved going to school because I have always had great friends who would care for me and whom I would have great times with. This summer, after boarding school and all the stress, all I want is to have fun with my friends because that is the only way in all these years I have been happy. My mother is just refusing to let me stay with my half sisters grandparents, where all my friends live close by and I would have a great summer.

I would just like some advice on how to deal with this situation, or how to make my mom see that it is okay to send me to live with my sister only for the rest of summer. ( my sisters grandparents have already agreed on letting me stay with them ). I just am not happy with my mom and her boyfriend, who I don't like in their rented space in a basement. I spend all day doing nothing and in the house not being able to go outside, because i'm not allowed to, and being miserable day after day, EXACTLY like boarding school and i'm tired of it. I still have 2 months of summer left and I don't want to spend it like this.

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. Sorry to hear you’re not having fun at home or at school and therefore want to live to be with your sister for the summer. While we can try to have a conference call with your mom and you to discuss the possibility of letting you move out, and helping her hear your opinion on the matter, she is ultimately your guardian and has the final say about where you can be. We can’t change her mind, but we can try to provide the opportunity for you to make your case to her in a space where there is no interrupting, yelling, or derogatory language. Call us at 1-800-786-2929.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 16 and I want to move to Idaho and live with my gf and her mom and step dad. My mom and step dad are okay with it and so are hers. They agreed on taking me in. I live in Ohio. Is it possible that I gained my own money to get a ticket out, and I plan on getting a job as soon as I’m with her. And I’d help out, would my mom still be able to enrol me in school even if she is all the way in Ohio?

[ccsmod5]

Hello, and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline to share what’s going on with you. In regards to your situation, although we are not legal experts, but we will try to answer your questions to the best of our knowledge. Regarding your school enrollment, your mom would have to either be physically present or need to show that you are under new guardianship. For the latter, your mother could go through a custody transfer so that your new guardians would be able to enroll you in school in Idaho, or have a handwritten and notarized document that acknowledges this.
As for finances, NRS has a database of resources that we could recommend to you, but we recommend that you get in contact with us for that, as we cannot provide referrals on our forum. You are always welcome to call NRS and speak more about your situation. If you would like to talk more in detail please call 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in.

[Guest]

Hi. I’m 15 and I will be 16 next month. My parents have always told me that I’m very strong willed and independent and that they’re proud of me for it even though that’s what they always yell at me about. They call me selfish, they’ve hit me and thrown things, they’ve gone so far as to put their hands around my neck. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time seeing as my best friend just went to court for the same thing. She got to move in with her aunt but none of my family lives in state. When I turn 16 I just want to leave and never look back. I work better that way, on my own I mean, and as much as I’m going to miss my sisters I just can’t do this anymore. I’ve been fighting depression for about two years and my parent don’t seem to get two craps but as soon as one of my sisters BELIEVES she’s got depression it’s a serious thing. I’ve been diagnosed and been to many therapists about it and she just THINKS that she does. I can’t live in this house anymore. What can I do?

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand that it takes courage to seek help. We are sorry to hear about the way your parents have been treating you. Abuse is never okay and you don't deserve to be treated that way. You have the right to report the abuse. You could contact CPS. If you feel as though you are in immediate danger, we encourage you to call the police.Child help (1-800-422-4453) is a great resource to explore your options and get information on how to transfer custody. Another option that you have is asking your parents if they would allow you to stay with another family member or close friend. One final option that you may want to consider is looking into emancipation laws for your state. We hope that this information helps, if you have any questions or just want to talk please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.

[Guest]

I can’t stand living with my mom or dad anymore they put me through so much and when I was 13 I started living with my mom she made me raise my little siblings while she was off doing stuff with her boyfriend. I grew up being an adult instead of a kid. I dealt with adult things while I was a kid and never enjoyed life. I recently took a vacation and stayed with my best friends family for the summer and now I am being forced by mom to go back home and be in my old life where I can’t enjoy life. I get super depressed and have to deal with adult issues. Is there any way I can move out without my parents permission?

[ccsmod15]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out. It sounds like you’re dealing with a lot at home. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when you have so many responsibilities at a young age.

While we’re not legal experts, if you leave your home without parental permission as a minor, your mom can file a runaway report with the police. Additionally, if you stay with your friend’s parents, and they know you are a runaway, they can be charged with harboring a runaway. If you have someone you can talk to about your situation, like you friend’s parents or a counselor or teacher, this can be a good option, as they can maybe help you figure out what course to take. You’re also welcome to call us at 1-800-786-2929 any time. We’re available 24/7 and are completely confidential.

You mentioned some struggles with feeling depressed. If you want further information about mental health resources, you could check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); 1-877-726-4727; samhsa.gov; findtreatment.samhsa.gov/.

Thanks again for reaching out.

[Guest]

Hey,
I'm 15 and in New Zealand

Ever since my step dad has been around everything has been negative towards me
he has never said anything nice to me and takes my stuff that I have paid for as i have a job and uses it and never gives it back.
he has ruined my mum and now everyone seems to just hate me. He properly says your a disappointment in some way at least twice a week and seeing as I've been diagnosed with high level anxiety and mid depression it's not a great time.

I have told my good friend all about what happened and I've talked with his mum as well and she has told me I can stay over for as long as i want.
I was wondering am I aloud to leave for a couple days to stay with my friend legally because I would just like a couple days of peace
thanks

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

It definitely sounds like you're going through a lot. Your situation sounds like it could indeed be quite frustrating and stressful. Unfortunately we don't know anything about the resources available to people in New Zealand or what laws apply to you. Consequently, we can't accurately respond to the question in your post. 0800 37 66 33 is the number to a youth crisis hotline in New Zealand that may be able to help. They're open 24/7.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 15 also and both of my parents have past and I am now living with guardians i want to move away what would I have to do like they have not adopted me they are just my legal guardians and I dont want to live with them anymore I just dont feel at home and I have some family that I have talked to and they are willing to take me in

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. We're sorry to hear about your parents and hope that you have people that you can talk to about that. We are not legal experts, but we can tell you that because you are a minor, if you leave home and your guardians file a runaway report, you could be returned home. There could also be legal consequences for whomever you stay with for what is called harboring a runaway. If you want a liner to help you walk through other options like us mediating a conference call between you and your guardians to discuss you living with your other family, thinking through possible adults that you could turn to or could advocate for you, or things like emancipation and legal aid numbers, don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

Um so my friends mom is a abusive the cops can't do anything bc we don't have proof but were thinking that if she did get taken away from her mom we wanted to know if she could choose to live with us since shes fifteen am not her relative am her friend but we have known each other for years

[ccsmod3]

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to us! You are a strong person and a good friend to be asking for help. Your friend is lucky to have someone like you looking out for her.

Your friend does not deserve to be treated by her mom that way. Abuse is never okay. You mentioned that the police are unable to help because there is no proof. Calling Child Help (1-800-422-4453) can be helpful in answering your questions about that. They could help you to see if there is enough information to file an abuse report with Child Protective Services. Filing an abuse report will open an investigation into your friend’s mom. Abuse reports are handled by Child Protective Services, not the police.

You asked if she is allowed to live with you. Alternative living arrangements can be made if she gets her mom’s permission to live with you. Alternatively, if an abuse report is filed and she is taken out of her home, then Child Protective Services will discuss potential options of where she could stay. We are not experts, so we cannot guarantee they would let her live with you, but calling Child Help could be helpful in answering that. Also, calling the Child Protective Services number for your state could be beneficial.

Thank you again for contacting NRS! If you have any other questions or need any other support, please feel free to call us anytime. We are 24/7 and confidential.

Best of luck,

[Guest]

Hi um....I'm a 14 year old female and REALLY want to move in with my bff... I only live with my mom and two brothers but my mom does this favouring thing. Like say I made something nice for my mother she would say it's nice but tell me to go away, if my brothers make something nice she will praise them and cook for them.... I am often left out of ALOT of things and growing up I was told I was a mistake (by my mother and aunts) and that I should be more "feminine". I really hated how my mom would beat me just because I peed in bed or how I wanted a bath and she would tell me to ******** off....she was and still is cruel to me, I told my bff EVERYTHING that happend to me growing up and apparently it's abuse in many ways. She told me I should just live with her....I REALLY want to but I fear my mom will cuss and beat me if I try even ask her what can I do?

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out today. It sounds like you're in quite a difficult situation and it makes sense why you would reach out for help. Despite a lot of people's opinions, reaching out for assistance takes a lot of bravery we would like to acknowledge. Hopefully we can help. Firstly, the situations you described could indeed be considered abuse, and it's not okay for your mother to beat you or call you names. It's never your fault if your mother intentionally causes you harm, and we're sorry to hear that this is what you're facing. You deserve to be safe, and prioritizing your safety is important when considering what options you should take. Unfortunately, it appears you are reaching out to us from outside of the United States. We are not equipped to answer questions about running away outside of the United States because we are only familiar with laws and social systems affecting runaways in the U.S. You may find Kids Help Phone useful: 1-800-668-6868.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

what do i do if my friend wants to move in with me nd is being bullied or entaganised by her family 24/7 and they constantly leave my friend home alone all the time and yelll at them and they mess up my friends education and dreams i want the better for my friend and i want my friend to live with me i have 2 sisters leaving to college so i have space the only problem is our moms are friends and my friends mom might look at my mom in a disrespectful way and i don’t want that please help

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that your friend is faced with right now and you’re wanting to find a way to help them. If your friend doesn't feel safe at home, she has the right to contact CPS or the police. She could try asking her family if they would allow her to stay with another family member or close friend. If she were to stay with you without parental consent, your mom could get charged with harboring a runaway. Please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.

[Guest]

I’m 14 and I wanna live with my boyfriends and his parents they take care of me they have a place for me to sleep and my mom and her boyfriend are always mean to me her boyfriend is addicted to pain pills and sells drugs and one day we was sitting in the room trying on clothes and my moms boyfriend was trying to touch me in sexual ways and my mom just watched him do it I just really wanna move in with my boyfriend and his parents

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. We're sorry to hear about what has been going on and want you to know that you deserve to feel safe and happy in your home. We are not legal experts, but we can tell you that because you are a minor, if you leave home and your mom files a runaway report, you could be returned home. There could also be legal consequences for your boyfriend and his parents or whomever you stay with for what is called harboring a runaway. If you want a liner to help you walk through other options like us mediating a conference call between you and your mom, thinking through possible adults that you could turn to or could advocate for you, or if you would like to report the abuse, don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Stay safe,

NRS

[Guest]

So my friend is having a similar issue where her family is abusive to her. Her dad shoves her around all the time, her siblings fight her, her mom is always yelling at her. She had tried talking to them about moving in with another friend but the had thrown her in her room and had locked her in there for a while. They never support her or supplie her with stuff she needs. However she still wants to leave but not get the law involved to try to keep her siblings with her parents(she and her siblings have been taken away from her parents twice already). We don’t know what to do anymore to try to help get away from them.

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline and advocating for your friend. It sounds like she has been going through a lot for awhile now and has had to keep returning back to parents that aren’t supplying her with her basic needs and emotional support.
Unfortunately, the only way that your friend could live somewhere else, is if she got permission from her parents to leave, otherwise she could be classified as a runaway. We aren’t legal experts, but running away isn’t illegal but what is called a status offense. In most states you can’t be arrested for it but if police came across you they most likely would return you back home. They would only know if you are a runaway if her parents filed a runaway report.

If she does come across the police because she left, she can say that she feels unsafe and is being neglected at home and the police are suppose to get child protected services involved. You and your friend always have the right to keep reporting any new incidents that happen. I know that she doesn’t was the authorities involved, but legally, its difficult to have change happen with out them being involved.

If she is interested, we can look into runaway shelters in her area to see if there is someone safe she can go temporarily until a more suitable situation is figures out.

We are here for you and will support you in anyway that we can. Please feel free to call into us directly as we can talk further about your situation and find resources that are best for you in your area. Stay strong and you are not alone in this! Our hotline ( 1-800-RUNAWAY) and chat are open 24/7.

NRS

[Guest]

Hey. I am 15 and going into my softmore year of high school. Things at home are not going the best. Both of my parents are not letting me finish my sentences. Or they are not letting me make decisions by my self. During last school year they where all over me about finishing my homework even tho I had a sruddy hall wich they knew I had. So then there was a lot of yelling and screaming that did not make me feel good at all. But when I did have homework they put a lot of other chores for me to do when i had homework to do. So there for it did not get done and then it added more and more stress that next day. I want to go live with my dad's sister in Iowa so a whole new different state. I am not sure what to do. Maybe just getting out of the house and living there for a long time like 3-5 months. I just need a different place to be right know. I don't think they will let me move or even like the idea. I feel like I can tell my dad's sister a lot more then I can tell my parents so that may help as well. My dads side is very close and I don't know or what they will think of me after I move. Or even my cousin for that matter.

[ccsmod3]

Hi, thanks for reaching out to us at NRS. Sorry to hear that things have been pretty challenging at home with your parents. It’s great that you have a good relationship with your dad’s sister and feel like you can open up to her, though. Have you ever talked with her about everything that’s been going on and if she’d be willing to have you stay with her? If so, and if you were able to get your parents on board and agreeable with you staying with your aunt, you would be legally allowed to stay with her. Running away isn’t technically illegal, it’s considered a “status offense”, but without permission, if your parents were to call the police, they’d be obligated to work to bring you back home. It’s also possible that any adult you were staying with could get in trouble for “harboring a runaway”.
At NRS, we offer a conference call service where you can contact us with either your aunt or your parents and we can help you with having a difficult conversation like this and try to work together to come up with a plan. We are available 24/7 and can also just explore options and resources that might be helpful to you in your situation: (800) 786-2929.
We’re here to listen and see if we can help. Best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I am 14 turning 15 in october. My mom wants my family and I to move to Pennsylvania but my step dad who is a mental and verbal abuser is still going to live with us. We live in Massachusetts and I've been there basically all of my life. My dad (not my biological father) wants me to live with him in natick which is an hour away from my current house. I honestly want to live with my boyfriend who is down the street but I'm not sure if I can get the guts to even mention that to my mom and know how my mom will react. She says it's going ti be better but my step dad has been the same for over 9 years since they got married. I have no idea what to do. I don't know if I wil be happy there. I'm not scared of change just scared of the same depressing, miserable life just in a new home.

[ccsmod3]

Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like a really tough situation and we appreciate that you have reached out to us.
You don’t deserve to be mentally or verbally abused by your step-dad and it seems as if your concerns are not being heard. Here at NRS, we have a conference call service if you ever want to have a mediated conversation with your mom. It can be a safe place to let her know how your stepdad is making you feel, and why you don’t want to move. Please call 1-800-RUNAWAY if you are interested in the conference call service.
It’s understandable that you would want to live with your boyfriend. If you haven’t already you may want to consider things like money and how you will support yourself. If you were to live with your boyfriend without your mom’s permission it is possible she may file a runaway report in which case if the police found you they would bring you back.
Here at NRS, we truly want to help and we might be able to brainstorm additional options for you. We are here 24/7 to listen and provide support! Call us anytime at 1-800-786-2929.