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

[Guest]

Hello. For safety reasons I am using Jack as my name. I am 15 and I'm dealing with verbal abuse and threats on a daily basis. My father doesn't accept me being gay and wearing girly thing. I'm trying to go stay with my aunt but I can find anyone to help. I honestly want to just go with my mom and take my things to SC. He never knows the things that I do to get his approval. Everytime he catches me with girly earrings he takes them away and a few other things. He even threatened to embarrass me infront of my friends at school. He always says there not really my friends that I don't have any friends. I know there my friends. They always assure me that everything will be ok. He even went as far as having a girl at school stalk me and take pictures if I have on something girly. I can't take it anymore. I do feel suicidal sometimes. I just try to keep moving though. The one thing he threatened to do was take the bracelet that my dead boyfriend Benny gave me. If he takes that then I don't know what to do. I'm just scared he'll hurt me. He recently threatened now. He said "he would knock me out". I'm scared and just want to leave and never look back. I just want to stay with my aunt at this point cause anyone I stay with he has them or some stranger stalk me to take pictures if I have something girly. My aunt is the only person besides my fiends and understanding family members I trust. Please can someone just help me.

singed Jack

[ccsmod6]

Hey there, thanks for contacting National Runaway Safeline. It seems like you are going through something very challenging and I want to commend you for how strong and brave you have been this far. It is unfortunate that your father does not accept the way that you want to present yourself, your sexuality, and your friends. You deserve to be supported and accepted. It is not right that he threatens you and have people in your school stalk you. If you would like information about reporting any abuse, you can contact an agency called Child Help. Their website is childhelp.org. All of this seems to be affecting you quite a bit, as you mentioned you feel suicidal sometimes. It may be beneficial to contact an agency called the Trevor Project. This agency is a LGBTQIA+ Youth Suicide Lifeline. There, you can speak to some helpful people who assist others in situations similar to yours. If you would like more information and support, you can also contact the LGBT National Youth Talkline. Their number is 1800-246-7743. As far as living with your aunt, if it is something your aunt is in agreement with and your father would be willing to have you move out, you are more than willing. It may be beneficial to communicate with your circumstance to your aunt or mother in case they are willing to assist your or intervene in some way. Hopefully this information was helpful for you. As always, we are here to help and would love to talk with you further so, feel free to give us a call anytime at 1800-RUNAWAY.

[Guest]

what if my parents won’t let me live with a friend? what do I do?

[ccsmod3]

Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline and sharing a little bit about what is going. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and especially in a time where you have a really tough and complex situation. If you call in to 1-800-RUNAWAY we could can discuss more in detail how we can best support you through this situation. It can be difficult to know how to talk to your parents and express your feelings about how you are feeling. We would encourage you to reach out to a trusted adult, teacher, relative, and friend that you can talk to and potentially help you mediate a conversation with your parents about your current situation. At NRS, we do offer a service call conference calling, where you can call into our hotline and then we would reach out to your guardian and help advocate for you, help you express the needs you have to your parents.

You would need permission from your parents to go stay with your friend. If you go anyway, it can be considered running away. We aren’t legal experts, but we have general knowledge about running away. In most states, running away isn’t illegal, but what is called a status offense. You can’t get arrested for it but it will mostly likely go on your record until you are 18. The police will only know if you have runaway if your parents/guardians file a police report. We can’t say for sure how the police will respond, but we hear a lot that police will take potential places you might be and will actively search for you. If they come across you, the most likely will return you home to your parents. Sometimes we hear that if you are staying with someone who knows you are a runaway and are not actively trying to return you or finding shelter for you, your guardians/or police can press charges against the people who are housing you, with something that is called harboring. One of our main goals is to make sure you are safe, so if you ever seriously decide to run away and need shelter, resources, or a safe place to go you can find safe locations at nationalsafeplace.org or reach out to us directly and we can find local resources in your area.

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.
We hope this response was helpful! We'd love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to support youth and families. Please click the link below to fill out our survey.

Tell us what you think about your experience!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

So my mom is very negative and jealous of everything that my dads mom does for me. She talks bad about her and constantly yell at me and it is really tough to handle being degraded and unaccepted by her and her boyfriend who is my and my dads cousin, all the time. She recently told me to stop asking my nana to buy me nice things because it makes everybody else in the house feel bad because they can’t afford nice things. It seems as though she would be happy that my nana cares that much for me. I have an older sister who is 17 years old and has quit 2 jobs so of course she can’t buy things that she wants. We fight all the time also. I’m treated like a stepchild and is always made to babysit my baby sister who is also my cousin. Pretty sick and twisted life, I know. My mom and her boyfriend are always drinking and smoking marijuana and she has had several abortions and miscarriages. I just want out. She is not a good examples for her daughters at all.

[ccsmod6]

Thanks for reaching out to us and telling us about what you’re going through. We’re sorry you’re having such a rough time at home. We’re here to listen and help the best way we can.
You mentioned that you are thinking of leaving home to live with your friends’ family. Have you talked to your mom about staying with your friend’s family? You could ask her to stay there temporarily if she’d be ok with signing over temporary custody to them. You can go online and download a temporary custody form for your mom to fill out. She would have to have it signed by a notary to make it legal, but at least you wouldn’t need a lawyer or go to court.
If you leave without your mom’s permission, that would be considered running away. Running away isn’t a crime and you can’t be arrested for it. But your mom could file a runaway report. If the police go to your friend’s house, your friend’s family could be charged with harboring a runaway which is a crime. There might be other options available depending on your situation. If you’d like to explore those, you can call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or reach out to us on our chat line. Hope this helps! Good luck and stay strong.

[Guest]

I was planning on moving with my dad not my friends family

[ccsmod3]

Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline and sharing a little bit about what is going. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and especially in a time where you have a really tough and complex situation. Until you turn the legal age of majority in your state, you will need permission from your legal guardian to go stay anywhere else. We aren’t legal experts, but we have general knowledge about running away. In most states, running away isn’t illegal, but what is called a status offense. You can’t get arrested for it but it will mostly likely go on your record until you are 18. The police will only know if you have runaway if your parents/guardians file a police report. We can’t say for sure how the police will respond, but we hear a lot that police will take potential places you might be and will actively search for you. If they come across you, the most likely will return you home to your parents. Sometimes we hear that if you are staying with someone who knows you are a runaway and are not actively trying to return you or finding shelter for you, your guardians/or police can press charges against the people who are housing you, with something that is called harboring.
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.
We hope this response was helpful! We'd love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to support youth and families. Please click the link below to fill out our survey.

Tell us what you think about your experience!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

What if I want to live with my dad? Do I need her permission?

[ccsmod3]

Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline and sharing a little bit about what is going. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and especially in a time where you have a really tough and complex situation. Until you turn the legal age of majority in your state, you will need permission from your legal guardian to go stay anywhere else. We aren’t legal experts, but we have general knowledge about running away. In most states, running away isn’t illegal, but what is called a status offense. You can’t get arrested for it but it will mostly likely go on your record until you are 18. The police will only know if you have runaway if your parents/guardians file a police report. We can’t say for sure how the police will respond, but we hear a lot that police will take potential places you might be and will actively search for you. If they come across you, the most likely will return you home to your parents. Sometimes we hear that if you are staying with someone who knows you are a runaway and are not actively trying to return you or finding shelter for you, your guardians/or police can press charges against the people who are housing you, with something that is called harboring.
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.
We hope this response was helpful! We'd love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to support youth and families. Please click the link below to fill out our survey.

Tell us what you think about your experience!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

Im a 15 year old girl ,, I absolutely do not think I can handle being in this family anymore. I'm mentally going crazy and I can't take it. I love my mother to bits but I absolutely despise the disgrace I call dad. I hate this man with a passion. He destroys my life. I'm so unhappy and it's been this way for years. I grew up bullied and depressed and it stay that way. I'm not bullied anymore because I snapped and started getting into fights but that's besides the point. I hate my life so much I wanna kill my self. I've tried multiple times and been hospitalized for it. The way my father has me on lock down is absolutely insane. Any time I could get out of the house I am. I'm so much happier when I'm out freezing in the cold with nothing to do and that says a lot. I'd rather be out in the snow then inside the house. I'm so miserable and every single day I wounder and think about leaving. But then I think more and realize it's dumb because i don't have money , a job, or a place to stay. Yes , my friends would love to take me in but they can't it don't work that way. I can't even explain what goes on in this house but my father makes me so crazy. I'd rather kill myself then live in this house for another three years I in all honesty do not think I could do it. I want to kno how to get out of this house and I have a responsible friend that's 18, had a job, and a place for me to stay ab would love to be my legal guardian and he sees how truley unhappy I am. Just in general not just with the house. But it's a lot on me. I hate myself I hate my life and I wanna die but I know for a fact that if I get out of this house and surrounding myself with people that make me happy I'll be so much better and I honestly think that my life long depression would end. I need to be in a better place I just cannot do this anymore. Why does it have to get to the point to where I'd rather kill myself then stay in this house ? No , I am not abused but that doesn't matter. I'm unhappy and miserable. I shouldn't need my parents consent if I want to be with someone else. If the person wanting to take me in is responsible , has a good future and good grades, has a job and a plan and is willing to provide for me and proves it I should be able to without they consent. It's ridiculous. It really shouldn't get to the point to where I wish I were dead that's terrible. It shouldn't get to the point where I have to change my name , my appearence, and my location to GEt away. That's so extra and it's terrible. I really can't be in this house. Is there any way that I could do that without they're consent ? Please give me hope . It shouldn't go this far. Every day the questions run through my head. Should I kill my self ? Should I just leave? It really shouldn't get to this damn point. I'm 15, and I'm not dumb. I'm actually a lot more mature than people my age because of the people I hang out with and grew up with. I was always rocking with the older crowd and my mental age is a lot older than I am. I be forgetting that I'm 15 , and so do my friends. I don't have the best grades in school But I play a lot of sports, and do other activities. My grades are only down because of home work. But please please please tell me there is some way to get this done without parental consent.

Before you do anything, please contact a counselor. Maybe you are not doing something right. Let's compare apples to apples. Let's get all the facts before reaching a decision.

[ccsmod9]

Thank you for your response to another user’s post. Often forums are a place of support and understanding for many youth. It often may be validating and helpful for users to read similar situations as well as exchange feedback to one another. For anyone experiencing any difficulties or challenges, the National Runaway Safeline encourages youth to reach out to our 24/7 crisis support line either by phone or chat for immediate services.
Thank you

[Guest]

I am 15 too I want to live with my friends family or my boyfriends. My mom is horrible she’ll wake me up to yell at me or when i’m In the restroom. My older brother bullied me for years and is now a borderline alcoholic who smokes pot at 18 studying to be a cop. My little brother is racist he is like my older brother and believes everything they say about me (he is 13) they all say that I have made up the fact that i have asthma and neglected it for years I just got finally diagnosed lest year when I had an asthma attac for two days straight and just couldn’t breathe anymore. My mom always tells me to walk it off and waits until i’m In danger to take me to a doctor. They always say thag I’m making everything up. My mom tells me that i am victimizing myself and that my “perception of reality is twisted” i want to leave I hate staying here. And it only seems to be getting worse. My boyfriends family helps me and knows how bad it is at my home. They are worried about me too and wish that I could just live with them. They already know when i’m 18 i’m Moving in I can’t take three more years being here though what should I do? I gave y’all a very very small part of it but I just can’t take it anymore. My brothers tell me that I make our mother want to kill herself while they all call me a selfish **********. I want to leave but I can’t

[ccsmod2]

Hi there, thanks for contacting National Runaway Safeline. It seems like you are dealing with something very difficult right now and it is very brave of you to have decided to reach out. It must be very difficult to go through the things you are going through with your family members. It is not right that you are treated how you have been by your siblings and mother. Your safety and wellness is important. You have every right to feel secure, protected, and feel you are in a safe environment. Just so you are aware, you are able to report incidents of abuse in your home. Some of the things you mentioned can qualify as mental and emotional abuse or neglect. There are ways to report such things and if you would like more information or assistance with doing so, it may be beneficial to contact an agency called Child Help. Their hotline is 1800-422-4453 and their website is childhelp.org. We would love to be able to talk to you a bit further and be of a support to you. Feel free to give us a call at any time by dialing our 24/7 hotline 1800-RUNAWAY or chat with us live at any time by visiting our website 1800runaway.org. We wish you the very best and hopefully, we hear from you soon.

[Guest]

I am 17 and I am wanting to live with my friend and he fiance can I

[ccsmod6]

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS and having the strength to share your story with us. We are sorry to hear about your situation and what you’ve been dealing with. In regards to your plan of living with your friend’s family, we would encourage you to speak with your parents if you haven’t already about this. Some things to consider would be guardianship, school enrollment, how you would take care of your needs (eating, sleeping, healthcare), and how you would care for your safety if something were to happen. If you were interested, we also offer conference-calling as an option, where we would mediate a constructive conversation between your parents and yourself in order to reach an understanding.

We would love to talk more about the details of your situation so that we can work towards a solution that you find acceptable. If you would like to share more, please feel free to call our 24 hour hotline, 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or use our Live Chat.
We hope this information was helpful and take care.
National Runaway Safeline
[email protected] (Crisis Email)
1-800-RUNAWAY (24 Hour Hotline)

[Guest]

My parents act crazy, I have good graders but this year I've been doing poorly in Science Honours. It is too late to leave the class, and the class average is 58%. I'm in grade ten and the emotional abuse I get from my parents is too much. Not just my parents, though. My older brother works out a lot and is very muscular and strong. A few months ago I was making dinner for my family (I have to do that most nights or I get in a lot of trouble), and my brother (lets call him Dan) walked up to me with a bucket and a spray bottle and soaked me and the dinner. I was so surprised. I turned to him and I said(my voice was barely above a whisper, and I was shaking because the water was so cold) "why... Dan I'm going to have to remake dinner can you help me clean this up, I need to go dry off." Dan hit me and then went downstairs. I followed him down( I don't know why) and stood outside of his door for about a minute, shaking, before he opened it. He yelled at me and yanked me inside. he screamed at me for getting his floor all wet and I just stood there, trying to figure out what to say. Then my twin(lets call him Mack... by the way, 'Mack' had been taking boxing lessons for months at this point), Mack walks in and asked Dan what was going on and Dan didn't say anything except he slapped me. Hard. Mack walked up and shoved me to the ground(he's a big, tall, strong guy) and kicked me. I yelled at them to stop(the second time I've spoken since I went downstairs) and the started beating me. Dan was calling me names such s a fu*^*ng cu*# and calling me a who**. I hadn't even had a boyfriend because I didn't want to go through drama, or get used for sexual things. The beat me up for a long time and kicked me- punching me so hard in the face, and kicking me in the head so many times and very hard that I had two very black eyes, and my whole face was purple and spotty. I got knocked unconscious for about a minute, and when I opened my eyes they were standing over me looking at me saying I deserved it and that if I say anything to my parents they'd knock me out again. When I stumbled up the stairs Dan said "are you okay?" and I fell again, not able to get up for about 10 seconds. I tripped my way up the stairs and went to the bathroom, locking the door and blacked out for who knows how long. I finally came to- I had a huge concussion and I threw up in the toilet. I phoned my best friend and was crying so hard I couldn't speak properly. She's a pretty good listener thank God.

My parents were told that we were play fighting and Dan picked me up and I squirmed and got dropped and hit my head and fell down the stairs. About a few months later I finally told my mom what happened and she said, "Well there are two sides to every story, and he probably had a reason."

By the way... I got in trouble for not finishing dinner that night.
My dad beat me twice, he hasn't done it for a while though, and only my mom and 'Mack' know he did it (They only know about the one time). My parents constantly verbally abuse me and it's terrible. My best friend has offered for me to stay at her house, but I wouldn't be able to get rides to work that way, and also I don't want to disappoint my grandparents. We are really close and it would break them inside to see me leave home. I almost got raped as well- someone held me down and tried but he was thinner and only weighed 30 pounds more than me (I'm 104 pounds and I'm 15). I was able to get him off of me before it went too far. I did meet this guy though who doesn't want to have sex with me, and he's very sweet. We've been official for over a month now, but he doesn't know about any of this that goes on. If I have a new bruise I tell him it's from the horses I hang around with. He is starting to act odd though and I'm not sure why. But we will take things day by day. I don't know if I will go through with moving to my friend's house or not. Her family loves me and feels like a second family to me.


Sorry for the TL;DR(too long; didn't read).
If anyone has advice I'd love it, thanks for making it this far!

[ccsmod4]

Reply: My parents act crazy....

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS).

It took a lot of courage for you to reach out. We appreciate you sharing your situation. It sounds like you’re quite upset with things at home right now and you mentioned being beat up pretty badly by your siblings. It is not right what they did to you. We’re sorry you’re going through this.
You do not deserve to be abused physically, emotionally by anyone.
It is not your fault that this is happening. You have no control over what others choose to do.
It does not sound like your parent’s were available to you for help. That’s too bad.
You must be very disappointed in the way they handled the situation.
We are unsure if you required medical attention for any injuries you may have suffered.
It is important to take care of yourself. You did a great job getting away from someone that was trying to sexually assault you. Something like this we understand can be a very traumatic experience.
You did not mention if your parent’s were aware about what happened.
For your information, you have the right to file a police report.

It sounds like you have a supportive friend you can talk with. Good for you.
Perhaps your grandparent’s or your friend’s house would be a safe place to go should things get out of hand with your brothers again. Your safety is important.

NRS is here to listen and here to help.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of options towards a solution previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We are limited as to how we can help in this type of forum. It also seems like you are worried about the relationship with your boyfriend. This along with the other issues at hand must be difficult for you. You did a great job expressing yourself and talking about your feelings. Good for you.

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. We hope writing in helped in some way.
FYI:
To report any abusive treatment there is Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.


Be safe,
NRS

We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

I am 15 years old and I live with my mom. She is single because I’ve never had a father figure in my life. She is the most terrible person I will ever meet. She thinks only about herself and she doesn't even know the person I am because she judges too much. I can’t tell her anything about what my life is really even like or what I'm going through. She claims she cares but my other friends parents are actually there for them not judging and being there for all of their choices even the bad ones. I am struggling with school and have daily breakdowns BC I can’t handle it and am going to end up dropping out. I asked to get homeschooled and she was considering it telling me to talk to my counselor to see my options and I'm already failing in school and would get a job and do me and maybe start to be happy with myself by getting good grades. She said no because I "do drugs" "have sex" and lie. She goes through my phone and invades all of my privacy all the time and will get so mad at me and yell at me and make me have anxiety attacks. I want to run away or live with one of my friends who are actually happy and have a good relationship with their parents because I can’t take this anymore. Want to kill myself all the time and I never tell her anything BC she wouldn't ever understand.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I am 15 years old and I live wth my mom.


Hi,
Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you are in a tough situation and may be looking for some options to help cope with everything.
We understand how difficult it must have been to speak about what you have been feeling.
You are very brave for doing so. Good for you.
NRS would like you to know we are here to support you at this difficult time.

Sometimes having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of. We are here as support to help you and your friend through this challenging time. NRS is here to listen and here to help. We can best help by phone or chat. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.

Let us know how we might help, please contact us at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) orwww.1800Runaway.org (live chat).

Take care,
NRS


We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

I'm 14 (bout to turn 15) and my parents and I don't get along that well. They always yell at me and call me names that are really hurtful. My best friends family loves me and I would love to live with them. But I know my parents wouldn't give permission what do I do? My best friends mum has said that she would always give me a place to stay if I need it and stuff. But idk what to do. I hate my current living situation. How can i be able to live with my friends family?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I'm 14 (bout to turn 15)


Hi there,

You don’t deserve to be yelled at or called names by anyone. We understand how hurtful that must feel.
It is not your fault that this is happening. It sounds like you have some supportive people around you that would like to help. That’s wonderful. Good for you.

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parent’s. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern
Sometimes when communication is a struggle counseling is often looked at as an option.
It can be a way to learn how to cope and express your feelings.
NRS is here to listen and here to help. We are here to support you during such a difficult time.
If you would like to speak more about your situation and explore some options to that might help figure out a plan of change, please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org (Live chat).
Great job reaching out today.

Take care,
NRS

We hope this response was helpful! We’d love to hear from you about your experience using our crisis email/forum. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us improve our services to youth and families. Please click the link to fill out our survey: Your Opinion Matters to Us

[Guest]

Hello, my name is Sydney. I have been struggling with my home life for a little while now and i’ve recently been offered to move in with my bestfriends family. Her mother asked me if i wouldn’t like to move in with them due to everything happening at home. I guess i should probably start with what’s happening first.. i am 14 years old. I am in my first year of high school and have been struggling with depression, anxiety and what we think is borderline personality disorder OR bipolar disorder, we arent completely sure because the first reason i want to leave is because my stepmother and my father keep rescheduling my therapist appointments to the point i never have enough time to explain everything to them. I want to do good in life, go to a good college such as columbia university or st. john’s unigersity and study writing and forensic anthropology. There are seven of us in a two bedroom home. Me, my grandma, my 16 year old sister, my 7 year old stepsister, my 8 year old stepbrother, my dad, my stepmother and my father. My sister has been very mentally and verbally abusive to me, telling me to kill myself, that no one wants me here, that i should just leave and not come back. My stepmom tries to take over my life as if she were my real mom, my dad was a really bad drug addict and addicted to pain killers (don’t know if he still isn’t or not), and my grandma is very old fashioned and doesn’t understands that i am not like a normal kid. I have mental issues and it can’t all be solved with some over the counter medication. My stepbrother sleeps in front of the dryer and me and my sisters share a single bedroom, while my dad and stepmom sleep on the couch and my grandma has the other room. It wasn’t always like this, i was living with my mother but she’s got put in prison, she gets out in 2022, charged with DUI and manslaughter. We still visit her and i love her to death, and i love my dad to death but being has here has made my grades and over all health go down hill. My hygiene is terrible and my motivation vanished. I used to get good grades but now i have D’s and F’s because i’m always tired. I’m always the one to clean and anytime i get money, it’s instantly taken from me and used for their cigarettes and other things.

I don’t need a hotline or anything, i just want to know what legal procedures would have to take place for my friends family to take custody of me? Would both of my parents have to sign it, or could it be just one of them? My mother can still sign legal documents even though she is in prison and i now she’d want me to go stay with them because them they’re have a extra room for me, and their financial status is a lot better than my own family, they’ve offered to take care of me and id be going to a school with my old friends and i’d have a tutor to help me with my work, seeing as my friend is very smart and she’s agreed to help me if i needed it. I just need to know what’s procedures and documents would have to be done for me to be able to live within their custody, i would feel a lot safer with them.

-Sincerely, Sydney

[ccsmod3]

Hi Sydney! We are glad you are reaching out to us because we are here to help! It sounds like you are going through a hard time, but reaching out to us is a good first step in figuring out your options.

In your message mentioned that your sister is mentally and verbally abusive. We want you to know that no one deserves to be treated that way, especially by a sibling! Is your dad or stepmother aware of this behavior? They (or another trusted adult) may be able to help with how your sister is treating you by communicating on your behalf how that makes you feel and reasoning with her to stop such name calling. If not, temporarily removing yourself from the situation (or the longer term solution you are thinking of) may be a good option.

You also mentioned that you have been struggling with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. It is very admirable that you have been attempting to seek help with those feeling despite the fact that you haven’t been able to receive support due to rescheduled appointments. It is also admirable that even through your difficult times, you are focused on your future and have found a friend able to support you.

For your question, while we are not legal experts we do know a few pieces of information that may be of use. To fully transition guardianship, your parents may need to consent to passing guardianship through the court of law in order to gain custody. This may mean that lawyers and legal fees could be a part of the process. Do you think your parents would be willing to pay to go through that process? If not, there may be a way for you to live freely at your friend’s house and avoid legal involvement. In most cases, if a youth has written parental permission (such as a text or letter) from their guardian they can live elsewhere. The written permission is to avoid your parents calling the police and reporting you as a runaway. If they were to involve the police, you may not be in legal trouble, but they could have the option to press charges against your friend’s parents for “harboring a runaway.”

As we said, we are here to help, but we are also here to listen. If you wanted to talk with us about the options we mentioned or brainstorm new ideas, our hotline at 1-800-786-2929 is 24/7 and confidential. We could also provide resources to legal aid for your area as well!

Best of Luck!