Im 15 and I want to leave my house

[Guest]

I’m 15 almost 16 My parents are older people but they don’t make time to talk. I’ve had something I wanted to talk to them about but neither of them will talk to me. I get yelled at for doing something wrong and not like the bad things of wrong like forgetting to do something or something around there. I don’t have much freedom like my sister and I hardly feel loved. I know they love will I think so but I definitely don’t feel loved. Also I feel worthless and unwanted I’ve been off and on with thoughts of death but my man thought is runaway. I don’t know what I should do.

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now. It sounds like you’re fearing that the situation may end in suicide if things don’t change. Your safety and well-being is important. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org is also a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but you are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 15 and I want to leave my mom

one day I asked my mom if I could go with my friends and she said yes I spent the night and now ever since she treats me like a dog she won’t let me go and she acts as if I will do anything she says I tell her all the time I’m gonna leave if she doesn’t stop disrepecting me and treating me like a dog but she does not listen so I think I might run away!!

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to us. It sounds like you are in a very frustrating situation. It must be frustrating to feel like you aren’t been heard. Maybe you can try to talk to a friend, family member or someone you trust about what you are experiencing. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone and get it all out. Speaking with a therapist could also help. If you ever want to find a therapist you can contact SAMHSA at 1800-662-HELP. If you feel like you are in an unsafe environment you can always contact Child Help at 1800-422-4453 and report any abuse whether emotional or physical. You deserve to be treated with respect and to feel safe and loved at home.
We aren’t legal experts but remember if you were to run away before you are 18 years old there are risks 18 years old is the age that you are considered an adult and can leave your parents’ home without permission. If you leave now then your mom could report you as a runaway and if the police locate you they would return you home. Also anyone you stay with could run the risk of getting harboring charges. If you want to explore your options you can always contact us at 1800-RUNAWAY. Best of luck!

[Guest]

My mom and dad are always fighting, they bring us, kids, into it, its been hard on us because my dad is not always around and he doesn't pay any bills in the house, he says some means things about my mom to his friends which drive my mom crazy, its been going on for so long I'm just tired and I want to leave my house, my sisters always have mental breakdown and this is getting out of hand right now. If I do leave can I live with someone my parents don't know or are that an illegal

[ccsmod9]

Thank you for reaching out to us at NRS. It sounds as if you are dealing with something very difficult and it is good that you are reaching out for assistance. We are not legal experts, however we can provide you with some general information.
As someone who is under the legal age or majority, you would need your legal guardians’ permission to stay with anyone else. If you were to leave without their permission, it would be considered a status offense (similar to breaking curfew). You could be picked up by the police and taken back home. You mentioned that things were getting out of hand, if you feel as if anyone is in immediate danger - reach out to the emergency line for your local police (911).
Please feel free to reach out to NRS again if you have any other specific questions again, or if you would like to talk over anything. Our 24/7 toll free line is 1-800-786-2929. Again, it is great that you reached out - your school counselor or your favorite teacher/coach could also be great resources.

[Guest]

I'm 15 years old and I'm a Muslim girl. Every day, I'm trying to get all A's to impress my parents. Whenever I had missing work, or if I was failing a class, either my mom or my dad would yell at me. My mom said: DO YOU HAVE A BABY RIGHT NOW?? DO YOU?? YOU DON'T, SO NEXT TIME YOU'D BETTER GET ALL A's. NOW GO AND DO YOUR MISSING WORK!! My dad would usually grab me by the ear and start yelling insults in my ear. Whenever I turned in my missing work, but still have a poor low grade, they always assume that I did nothing, even though I was sure I finished it all. They don't give me freedom choices at all. They don't even let me join after-school clubs because I have to take care of my youngest sibling. They don't even let me go to birthday parties at all. I just wish I had more freedom and more
choices

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us here at NRS. It sounds like you have a tough situation going on at home. It shows a lot of strength reaching out to us and we are here to listen. We are going to talk about a few things and we are always here 24/7 to talk more about any options we bring up and brainstorm more if those don’t seem to fit your situation best. You can always call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us at 1800runaway.org.

It sounds extremely frustrating to be at home and be yelled at over things like homework and grades. It is not okay to be yelled at extensively over grades when there are better alternatives to having discussions about education. Have you thought about talking to someone within the school about your grades and how to involve your parents in a more positive discussion? That can be an option to think about bringing up with someone you trust like a teacher or school counselor. They may be able to talk with you and your parents in collaboration about how to best address school grades and bring up how your parents have been yelling at you if you are comfortable. You can also think about this option with other people like a friend, family member, or trusted adult. This can help bring a mediator to the topic of grades, but also help bring in a different perspective about how they have been treating you and how that has been affecting you, not only about grades too.

We are also here as an option too. We do have a conference call service where if you feel comfortable and are able to call us, we can help facilitate a call between you, your parents, and ourselves to talk about what you want to help bring compromise and listening to all sides. We know you mentioned that you aren’t often allowed to have choices, and even if you and your parents are in the same house this is always an option too.

We appreciate your honesty and bravery with reaching out to us today. We are always here for you to listen and brainstorm what you may think works best in your situation. Don’t hesitate to reach back out if you want to talk further. Best of luck and stay safe!

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to leave my house really bad, my dad started dating right after my mom died and even when she was sick. It doesn't feel like home anymore, I want to live with other family member but I have none that is willing to take me. I stay in my room till the ladies are gone, I'm scared to live in my own house and most of them are very rude to me.

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for telling us your story and reaching out. It can be difficult telling others what has happened to you and you are very brave for doing so. Losing a loved one is hard and dealing with all the emotions that come after it cant be easy. Sometimes talking to someone about how you feel can help. You can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to connect you to mental health resources at 1-800-950-6264 or NAMI.org You may also want to talk to your school because they should have a counselor for you.

You also mentioned that you do not feel safe at home. If you haven’t already, you could consider reporting the abuse you’ve been experiencing. If you want more information about abuse reporting or if you want to file a report, you could call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453. If you don’t feel safe and feel like you need to get away immediately the Nationalsafeplace.org provides a safe location for you to meet a staff member who can take you to a designated place where you can discuss all options about how to stay safe. You can text 44357 the word “safe,” and your location( Ex: 44357ChicagoSafe) to find a safe location in your area. Once you arrive let someone who works there know you need help connecting with a staff member.

One service we can offer is to conference call with your parents. This way you could have a conversation with your dad but you would not be alone. For example, it may be hard for you to explain to your dad how you feel about his relationships with other women and how that effects you. Sometimes those conversations go better in a conference call because we can advocate for you. If you want to reach us, you can chat with us anytime at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re here 24/7, and we are ready to listen and help however we can.

[Guest]

I'm 15 and my mother is verbally abusive towards me and it effects me mentally I want to leave home but have nowhere to go I've researched about whether minors can buy there own homes and live without consent from there parents but it only comes up with emancipation and I know that my mum is really deceiving and will pretend to be supportive what should I do??

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thanks for taking the time to write us here at NRS. It can certainly be stressful at home when the adults in the household are not supportive. Emotional abuse does get overwhelming and it can be tough to cope with on your own. Abuse of any kind is never okay and not your fault. Doing your own research while thinking about the decision to leave is really responsible and resourceful!

Generally speaking, your parents are your legal guardians until you turn 18. This means they can decide where you live. If you do choose to leave without permission, your mom can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means that if your mom knows where you are staying then she can have the police return you home.

The easiest way to leave home as a minor is with your mom's permission. In this case, she would be allowing you to live somewhere else where you are safe and being cared for. A helpful step is to start reaching out to friends and family members you might be able to stay with. Sometimes having an adult advocate on your side can make communicating your needs more effective to your mom. Perhaps an adult family member or a friend's parent can talk to your mom with you about your experience at home and the possibility of you leaving. The other option you mentioned was emancipation. Emancipation can be a lengthy and difficult process, and in some states you have to be 16 before you can start the process. To be emancipated and gain the rights and responsibilities of being a legal adult (renting an apartment, enrolling yourself in school, working full time, etc) you need to show a judge that you are already living separately from your guardian, you are able to financially support yourself, and that emancipation is in your best interest. Emancipation does often require the full participation and cooperation of your parent. If you would like to talk more about starting this process and the criteria, we can connect you with legal aid in your area. You can call us at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services and we would be happy to find resources for you.

Child Help is an organization that advocates for young people in abusive and unhealthy situations. You can contact them at 1-800-422-4453 or go to childhelphotline.org to talk more about strategies for coping with the emotional abuse at home and options for having a trusted adult intervene to help. They an also be another resource to add to your support system while you navigate this challenging time.

We truly want to be a support for you as you decide on your next steps. We are available 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out again by phone or chat if you would like to talk more in-depth about your situation and explore your options.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I feel terrible. Being at my house my dads mentally abusive. I spend month my time in my room because I never want to go and face them. Every time someone puts there hand up by me I get scared and think I’m going to get hit I hate it here and I want to leave

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear that your dad is treating you in such a hurtful manner. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect and you are no exception. It makes sense why you might feel so negatively towards them and why you want to leave. It might be a good idea to consider filing an abuse report to CPS or DCFS. If you want to learn more about what that means and what could happen, please contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. If you are thinking about running away, we would be happy to go over what options you have and how to go about making a plan that is both effective and safe. If you are interested in having that conversation, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

My parents are divorced and I live in two separate homes, one with my single mother and one with my father and step mother. My mother is mentally/verbally abusive and I have recently tried getting out of her house but due to legal situations it is not working. My father recently found out that my "best friend" is my boyfriend and we have been with each other a lot, and have been showing affection to each other and my father did not like that I didn’t tell him. He and my psycho mother have always been very controlling over my friends and my social life. My boyfriend is all I have right now because my mother mentally drained my friends, to the point where they didn’t want to me friends with me anymore, and everyone left me. I talked to my dad about giving me freedom if I started being open with him about me and my boyfriend’s relationship, or just my life and we came to terms that we would be more easy going. A day later I asked him if I could go see my boyfriend, and he said no and is not giving me any freedom whatsoever. I haven’t seen my boyfriend in a week and now our relationship is becoming more and more distant because of my controlling parents. My mother is currently not letting me talk to him at all because she doesn't want me to have a boyfriend. I don’t know what to do. I have tried talking to my dad calmly about how I feel about my boyfriend and giving me at least some freedom with everything I have going on in my life, and he never listens and only does what he wants. It is to the point where I am being affected not only at school by my mom and dad, but it is affecting my social life/grades and mental health with my mom being mentally draining and my dad being controlling. I don’t know what to do at all and there is no one in my life I can trust to talk about this stuff with. I am wanting to leave my house because I feel that being independent and on my own would be way better than the situation I have going on now. I have thought about this for around a year now but now it is getting to the point where I can’t take it anymore. This is the second time my parents have broken up a meaningful relationship to me (the last one lasting two years) for absolutely no reason. I also am very close with my boyfriend and his mother and I talk to her about my situations that I would never feel comfortable talking to my parents about, because she is on the more understanding side while my parents are not. I want to continue seeing my boyfriend, and with his mom knowing about my situation, she has always been open to me coming and staying at their place. I have thought about running away/leaving for a long while but I am worried my crazy parents will involve the police and I really do not want to get them involved with that stuff, being such great people. Please help me out. I just want to be left alone.

[ccsmod4]

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


It sounds like you are in a tough situation with your parent’s not letting you see your boyfriend and being abusive towards you. You don’t deserve to face any abuse. It’s not your fault that she does this.
Since their decision it sounds like you may be looking for some options to help cope with being separated.

We understand how difficult it must be for you. It sounds like the two of you are support for one another.

NRS would like you to know we are here to support you at this difficult time.
Let us know how we might help, please contact us at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) orwww.1800Runaway.org (live chat).

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

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 15 and I'm thinking of running away my mom hasent came home in a week and I'm runing out of food my mom wants to send me away to Florida with my uncle and I live in California can I get some help please I'm in a centuachin school and I get mentally and physically abused I'm just looking for guidance in life my dad passed away two years ago and he was who I chould go to for help but I'm rining out of options.

[ccsmod1]

Hello there, thank you for reaching out to us. We are sorry to hear about the passing away of your father. It sounds like you have gone through some pretty hard times, you are so brave. You don’t deserve to be treated in such a way by your mom, it is unfair that she has left you for a week and that you are running low on food. You also do not deserve to be mentally or physically abused, you are a valuable human being. We are sorry that your mom wants to send you away to live with your uncle so far away, it is understandable that you want to run away.

To begin, we would like to address the mental and physical abuse you go through. The first reference we would like to offer is the National Child Abuse Hotline known as Child Help, this hotline is free, confidential and available 24-7 and their number is 1-800-422-4453. We also offer help when it comes to abuse by providing the option to file an abuse report, so you may give us a call as well if you so choose at 1-800-786-2929. We would also like to offer NAMI as another option to have someone to talk to about what you are going through and their number is 1-800-950-6264. If you ever find yourself in the position where you have no place to go then we would like to mention https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/ as a resource to find homeless shelters in your area.

Again, we’re really glad that you reached out to us. It takes a lot to ask for help and you are trying to figure out your options which is really good to see. If you would like to talk further about your situation, please do not hesitate to call or chat with us. We are also free, confidential and available 24-7 and we are here for not only resources but guidance as well. We’re here to listen, here to help.

-NRS

[Guest]

I’m 15, 8 mother has passed away my fathers away working and goes behind my back, i live with my grandparents and they are so horrible. I have no other family to go to and I have tried, please get me away.

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. 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.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions 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.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Today I found out that the girl I love and want to protect decides to go off and date the worst man alive he has dated so many girls and let’s them all down. (My friend) has told me that (the girl) told him that she did not want to get played. And that he doesn’t even like her.

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us here and NRS and sharing a bit about your friend's situation. It sounds like you truly care about her and you do not want to see her be hurt by this person. It can certainly be frustrating to watch someone you love make a decision you do not agree with. While it can be very frustrating, sometimes supporting a loved one can mean letting them make their own decisions while still being a safe space for them to vent their feelings. This can be a challenging situation for you emotionally as well. There is an organization called Love is Respect, https://www.loveisrespect.org/ which might be a helpful resource for you during this time. There is more information about how you can help a friend in an unhealthy dating situation and you can chat with a trained counselor.

Additionally, we are available 24/7 to listen and help you and your friend as much as possible. You can contact us by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services if you or your friend would like to talk more about your situation.

We wish you the best,
NRS

[Guest]

im 15 and want to leave my house i don't have a bad life i just feel like im always doing something wrong and then feel bad about it i don't want to get emancipated i just want to leave help me please

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you so much for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through a difficult time right now.
We are not legal experts but we do have some information on the laws. If you are a minor and leave home without permission your legal guardian can file a runaway report. If the police do find you they most likely would bring you back home. If you do decide to leave home and need a safe place to go please give us a call and we can help you find a safe place.
We hope that this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore more options please give us a call. We are 24/7 to listen and to provide support. Best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 15 and my parents are really rude to me I wanna run away but I’m scared that the cops will make me come back and my parents will hit me after

[ccsmod13]

Hey there,

Thanks for taking the time to write us here at NRS. It can certainly be stressful at home when the adults in the household are not supportive. You deserve to be treated in a way that makes you feel safe and cared for.

Generally speaking, your parents are your legal guardians until you turn 18, so they can decide where you live. If you do choose to leave without permission, your parents can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means that if your parents know where you are staying then they can have the police return you home.

The easiest way to leave home as a minor is with your parents’ permission. In this case, they would be allowing you to live somewhere else where you are safe and being cared for. A helpful step is to start reaching out to friends and family members you might be able to stay with. Sometimes having an adult advocate on your side can make communicating your needs more effective to your parents. Perhaps an adult family member, a friend's parent or a counselor at school can talk to your parents with you about your experience at home and the possibility of you leaving.

Your parents are supposed to make you feel comfortable at home and from what you shared they are not doing that. If you feel like there is any abuse taking place you do have the option to report the issues at home. A child abuse report can get a social worker involved to help. This can be a scary decision to make and you do not need to make it alone. Child Help is an organization that advocates for young people in abusive and unsafe situations. You can contact them at 1-800-422-4453 or www.childhelp.org to talk more about what making a report might be like for you and help to get one started.

We truly want to be a support for you as you decide on your next steps. We are available 24/7 to listen and help as much as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out again by phone or chat if you would like to talk more in-depth about your situation and explore your options. You can contact us by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services at www.1800runaway.org.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 15 years old and all my parents do is talk bad on me. No matter what I do good it’s a problem. There is always something wrong. It’s to a point where I am afraid to say hello or even converse with them. I feel as if I’m trapped and have no where to go. I REALLY want to leave. I feel like this constantly it’s not only a one time thing. For example I recently quit a sport that I sucked up and played because I didn’t want to get made fun of for not playing. Then me and my father are talking and out of no where he calls me a “gay pussy faggot” because I don’t play a sport I lashed back and told him to go ******** himself. I know that is not the correct thing to do but when it consistently happens everyday I can’t do it anymore. Now that I’m not playing a sport I get scolded for not going to the gym. I told them It’s not my thing non of this sport stuff is my thing but then I get called a “lazy piece of ******** asshole” that’s a “faggot no life” by my own brother, I said nothing and walked away Then my mom proceeds to text me saying how bad of a child I am and that I should leave the house and they are sending me to a boarding school for being “disrespectful” so I’m thinking of leaving. Sometimes when I think of leaving these thoughts go through my brain. Is this the smarter thing to do? If I have a place to go should I go? When should I go? Will the cops get involved? Is this the better thing to do?

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to us. It sounds like you are in a tough situation. You shouldn't have to deal people calling you names. You don't deserve to be treated this way. It sounds like you want to know what the consequences are if you leave home without permission. 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

[Guest]

I’m 15. I have grown up difficultly. My childhood consisted of keeping secrets from cops, because my mom did drugs and raising my sisters. This was years ago and I know the past shouldn’t matter as much but I feel as if it has effected my life a lot. My dad died when I was 7, things have been weird after that..my mom is very demanding and wants everything done, Perfectly. She judges everyone so I cannot have friends to her. She has hit me once and left a mark on my face.I have snuck out my house a couple times to see my friends and hangout With them because my mom doesn’t let me see any of them. If I am home one or two minutes late from a school game or friends house, and makes me do stuff around the house. Lately she has constantly been yelling at me to let her anger out. She does not like the fact that I have a boyfriend either so she is making me break up with him. I cannot do that. Yesterday we got into a fight and she told me to leave. Then she said you will stay here until you’re 18. After that she again said to leave. So I really don’t want to be here anymore because I feel like this has been effective to myself that I am becoming sadder and sadder every day. I have a little sister that lives with me and I asked her if she wanted to leave. She said no and that she is happy here. I don’t know if I am doing the right thing by leaving. nothing ever changes. I told my aunt and she told me she would get me. Am I doing the right thing?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you so much for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. Wow it sounds like you have had to deal with a lot throughout your life. Growing up having to lie to the police and be around drugs can be traumatizing and can have an effect on you as you have described.
Your mother should not take her anger out on you and you do not deserve that. If you feel like you are being neglected or abused, you can file a report. There are a few ways to go about filing a report, one option would be to call Child Help at: 1800-422-4453. Another option is you can call us and we would be able to help with an abuse report.
You mentioned wanting to leave home, that is a very big decision. Unfortunately, because you know your situation the best only you will be able to determine if it is the right decision for you. When deciding on what to do think about which option would be the safest option for your mental health and for your well-being.
We hope that this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore more options please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support. Best of luck!
NRS