I can't stay here anymore

[Unregistered]

I'm a seventeen year old female and I live with my mother. The last couple of years (since i was about fifteen after my great aunt died) my mom has begun to change drastically personality wise. She doesn't work anymore, she easily becomes furious over small things, she completely un-involved with my siblings and me, she hangs out with sketchy people, and is always letting freeloaders stay in our house who have caused so many issues from structural damage to our house, to stealing things, arguing with my brothers and sisters and I, slandering my family, bringing all types of crime into our home, not paying rent when they say they're going to, in the past there were men who came onto me (those particular individuals no longer live with us.) On top of that, she won't help me school wise. I plan to take my CHSPE and receive my diploma early as I am far behind in school. The test costs money and is only available twice a semester, i haven't been able to take it yet because my mom trusted some of the people staying with us with her card and they used my money. I suffer from bipolar disorder and my mother refuses to believe my diagnosis. My mother suddenly lies a lot to everyone including my siblings and I. She no longer defends us or protects us like she used to and doesn't advocate for us at all. She jumps up to go do things for other people but we have to beg her to do anything for us. my parents are divorced any my father who is in the military is currently deployed until mid next year and i have limited contact with him. I'm constantly stuck watching my siblings and the woman who is staying with us' child. I no longer feel safe or happy in this environment, me siblings and i have confronted my mom numerous times but she either gets mad and deny's everything or apologizes and says everything is gonna change (it never does.) All she does is hold me back from achieving things by failing to do certain parental duties (as a minor in California i can't do anything without her consent/presence). I'm always angry or depressed and trapped in the house. I can't stay here or be around her anymore, I've barely turned seventeen, I have no money, no place to stay at all, my other parent is half way across the world. I no longer have a cellphone, i can't get a job because she will not get me a work permit. I want to runaway but i have no options, what should I do? please help.

[ccsmod2]

re: I can't stay here anymore

Hey there,

You seem like you are pretty overwhelmed and want to get out on your own. There was quite a bit that you shared so it is understandable that you want to vent. You may want to explore how to become emancipated, but we want you to know that we aren’t legal experts so we don’t know if your situation will perfectly qualify. In most cases, you do have to be financially stable as well as independent to be considered. However that does take some time to go through the process.

Running away without a plan can end up being a dangerous situation. You could end up on the streets with no place to go. Also, if you come across the police they may send you back home. At this point, it may be helpful to consider ways you can positively cope with your situation at home. Is there anything you can find to do at home until you are 18 and able to move out on your own? Maybe hobbies, activities, etc. For further support, you are welcome to contact us directly at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929), and we look forward to your call. Lastly, please note that we offer a live chat via our website at www.1800runaway.org every day from 4:30p to 11:30p CST.

Best,
NRS