I have no idea what to do anymore.

[Guest]

Im so confused and I have no idea what I should do anymore. I just came back from running away two days ago where I was gone and staying with a friend for five whole days. I stayed out and went on the bus to and from school with my friend so I could still make it to school for exams. We only have three days left I didnt want to mess up the end of my school year. I'm a junior and I do want to graduate. I just feel like I can't be at home. I mean i've ran away in the past (three years ago) but only for three days then I came home. (my parents had cops involved) but during this time they knew when I was at school and never came to get me and I was staying with my friend but him and all my other friends talked me into coming back home. I just hate being here. I mean I got my phone taken away, they took off my door from my bedroom, and my t.v I mean I got into trouble and I mouthed off so I guess I deserved it but I mean i've seventeen they just went all out for nothing. I just hate being here and I want to leave again when my parents know they're wrong they never admit it their's way to much going on in my life right now I mean everybody in my house is looking down on me because I just got cured for having an STI and my mom keeps bringing it up and putting me down about it. I mean atleast I told her right? Everyone else in my house is completley against me I may be pregnant and I just feel like my life is falling apart. If they cared they would of came to find me i've been gone for FIVE DAYS nobodys barley even said anything to me. Honestly they don't care and I know they dont I was even at school once and I called to tell them to come pick me up on the forth day because I wanted to come home and they said no. The only reason I decided to come home was because I know i'm a minor and I can't be gone forever. But I mean this is to much they don't care and they don't want me here they just want to cover themselves for legal reasons. Nobody talks to me and i'm grounded I can't go out I can't do anything and it sucks because this is the time I need to tlak to people I can feel myself falling into depresstion and i can't take it. This isn't me I havent been myself and I just Want to leave. Any options?

[ccsmod3]

Re: I have no idea what to do anymore.

Thank you for sharing your situation with us. It sounds like you are going through a lot right now and are not quite sure what to do. You mentioned that you just left, but came back for your exams so it sounds like you are responsible when it comes to school. Since coming back home though, it sounds like you have gotten a lot of privileges taken away. Losing your phone, the door off your bedroom, and television must make it difficult at home. What kinds of things are you able to do to distract yourself? You stated that you only came back because you are a minor and you can’t be gone forever. It sounds like this past time your parents got the cops involved so you may already know what can happen if you leave. We are not sure if your parents filed a runaway report or not, but usually the police just send minors back home. Is that something you are willing to risk if you decide to leave again?

You stated that you were recently cured for an STI. That must have taken a lot of courage to seek treatment for and shows responsibility on your part. We are sorry to hear that your mom keeps bringing it up and putting you down. Another issue you mention is the possibility of pregnancy. Have you already taken or considered taking a home pregnancy test? Planned Parenthood has a national number: 1-800-230-7526 that can direct you to the nearest location and can generally offer free or low cost pregnancy tests which might be another option.

With everything that you’ve been dealing with, it sounds like there has been a strain on your relationship with your parents. You also state that you can feel yourself falling into a depression. It sounds like you are very self-intuitive and want to know your options. What do you think will make things better?

One option, depending on your area, sometimes there are runaway youth shelters. Here is a link where you can search based on state. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/co ... locate.htm

If you are in a rural area or one that doesn’t offer shelter is there a family member or trusted adult that your parents would agree to let you stay with even if it is just temporary? Aside from that, it may just depend on what risks you are willing to take. If you haven’t checked out our website, we have listed some common questions to think about before leaving. http://www.1800runaway.org/youth_teens/nrs_help.html

Being that you are 17, are there any ways that you can think of to make things more bearable at home so that you can stay there until you reach the age of majority? If you would like to call our hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY we would be happy to continue discussing your situation and help you come up with a plan. We hope this can be of help to you and wish you the best of luck.

-NRS