im 16 and u want to move out of my parents house

[Guest]

hi I am 16 from New Jersey . my parents are putting a lot of pressure on me for college. I am feeling too stressed and been having a lot of mental breakdowns. I don't have very many friends . I NEED HELP !!!

[ccsmod5]

Hi, there,
Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you’re in a tough spot right now. Deciding to go to college is a big decision and it’s frustrating that your parents are putting a lot of pressure on you. You mentioned that you’re having a lot of “mental breakdowns.” We encourage you to share how you’ve been feeling with an adult you trust like a school guidance counselor or a therapist. It can sometimes help to share how you’ve been feeling. These adults may also be able to help talk to your parents about the pressure they’re putting on you and how that affects you. If that’s not an option, we are also more than happy to facilitate a conversation between you and your parents as well.
Thank you again for reaching out. We hope this was helpful and we encourage you to reach out by phone if you need additional resources or need help figuring out your options. Our number is 1-800-786-2929 and our lines are always open. If you have a moment, we'd appreciate your feedback of our crisis services at the following link:

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

Stay safe!

[Guest]

I am a 15-year-old girl turning 16 in June. I want to move out of my parents house. I’m being neglected, emotionally harassed, and getting yelled that and getting in trouble/grounded for no reason. I have a savings account with money in it. I also have Family in Missouri. Am I allowed to leave my parents without getting in trouble.

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us to help you decide about this situation. It sounds like you’re going through a lot at home and are thinking of leaving. This is surely a difficult time for you, and we’re sure you’ve been enduring a lot. Hopefully we can help.

Firstly, we are sorry that your family is verbally harassing you and neglecting you. Neglect and harassment are serious and we understand how they would make you uncomfortable living at home. We are here to talk to you any time you want about these issues and how they aer impacting you. We are here to support you.We’re not legal experts, so what we tell you may not apply in your community, even if it applies in most of the U.S. Usually, if a runaway report is filed on a youth, the police are authorized to search for the youth and return them home. In most parts of the U.S., running away is not illegal and won’t result in a youth getting arrested or fined. Adults who you stay with could be charged for harboring a runaway, which is a very rare charge, but a charge you may want to know about. Penalties for this charge vary widely across the U.S.

Hopefully this helped. Thanks so much for reaching out to us. If you have any questions or want to talk more, please call us at 1-800-786-2929.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 16 and I live in Illinois. I have been dealing with emotional abuse from my family for awhile now. I want to move out and live with a friend until I finish high school without my parents trying send me away or calling the cops. I'm in the process of looking for a job and I'm still going to school. I don't feel mentally safe here and I especially don't want to be put in jail or the foster system. I don't want to get into any trouble. I just simply don't feel wanted and don't want to live here. Is there any way I can legally move out or in with someone else? I have tried asking but they all said it wasn't likely. im thinking about going to but if I do and then come back they will send me away and disown me for sure.

[ccsmod10]

Hello, thank you for reaching out to us today. We're sorry to see that you're in a difficult situation with your family. Not feeling wanted, or feeling mentally unsafe in your own home sounds really hard, and we understand why you would want to find another place to live. While it is not illegal to run away, one thing to consider is that the person who allows you to stay with them without your parent's or guardian's permission could be accused of harboring a runaway or contributing to the delinquency of a minor. These activities are illegal. Do you think your parents would give you permission to live with someone else in your community so that you could continue going to your same school? We would be glad to talk with you further about this or other options if you would like to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY. Your call would be completely confidential and we are available 24/7. In Illinois, you could get possibly get some assistance from a local youth-serving agency by calling Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services (CCBYS) at 1-800-860-2663. They would put you in touch with a local agency and perhaps help you get access to a shelter, and this option would probably work best if you feel really unsafe at home and need to get out right away.

[Guest]

Hi, I’m currently 16 and in two months i turn 17 i currently don’t live with my parents because they got evicted and haven’t lived with them for the past 6 months but everytime they get angry they threaten to come get me and i don’t want to live with my parents anymore because 1 they are emotionally abusive and then 2 my step parent does drugs and i do not want to be around that and 3 they like to use me for money and take my things and pawn them and anytime i try to say anything they get mad and blow up and i’m tired of getting treated like this. I would like to go live with other family until i turn 18 but they would never let me and if i just go do it this would also cause more drama i would love to withdraw their rights of me but i have no idea how to nor do i know what to do right now.

[ccsmod15]

Thank you, so much, for reaching out and telling us about what is going on. Sorry to hear about what has been happening with your parents. It makes sense to not want to live with them when they are emotionally abusive, use drugs, and use you for money. There are some pieces of information missing that might be helpful to talk through to for us better to be able to help (such as who have you been living with for the past six months, is it an option to stay there, have you reported the abuse/drug use/conditions, do you have a case work, etc). We would love to talk through your situation with you and brainstorm options, so please give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

[Guest]

I’m 16 6 months from being 17 and I wanna move out just tried if bullied at home. Can I move out? Or no?

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out. Sounds like you are trying to move out at 16 since you are being bullied at home. That seems like a really tough situation, and bullying is never okay. Here at NRS we want to help and to inform you as best we can.

18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian in most states. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you leave at 16 or 17, your parent or guardian may file a runaway report with the police. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime for you as a minor, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway.

There might be some options for you with regards to leaving home. If we knew more about your situation, we might be able to help you brainstorm ways you could leave home or help your home-life. Please do not hesitate to call or chat us so we can best help. We are available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best,

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

[Guest]

i’m 16 years old. my whole life i’ve been abused, with words and some points by my parent. my father recently passed away in a wreck. he was abusive to my whole family. he drank every night, constantly drunk. my mom get mad over anything. she never wants me home because she doesn’t want to take me to school, so she tries to make my sister. she doesn’t want to neither, so i’m never at home as it is. i want to move out, i live in arkansas. either get custody of myself or live with anyone else. i’ve talked to people about it and no one has cared and just thought i was kidding. i feel so unsafe around her and i just want to leave and go as far as i can away for this place. i’m at my breaking point. if i can’t get away from her just simply leaving, i’ll find find a way out.

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out. No one ever deserves to be abused and it sounds like you’ve been through a lot lately. We are not legal experts, but it sounds like there is abuse and possibly neglect going on at home. You have the right to file an abuse report with child protective services. For more information on what constitutes abuse and what might happen if you do make a report, you can call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453.
It sounds like you’re wanting to leave home, which is understandable. If you want to leave home, you would need parental consent. Otherwise, your mom could file a runaway report and if the police are able to find you they may return you home. However, if you think your mom doesn’t mind you leaving to stay with a friend or a family member,that could be an option. If you ever feel like you are in immediate danger, you can always call 9-1-1.
You also mentioned getting custody of yourself as an option. Emancipation could be a good option for you. The process generally requires you to prove that you are financially stable (this usually means having a job) and have the emotional maturity to care for yourself. For more information about the process, you would need to get in touch with a lawyer. If you’re having trouble locating that resource, you can always give us a call.
Thank you again for reaching out. We hope this was helpful and we encourage you to reach out by phone if you need additional resources or need help figuring out your options. Our number is 1-800-786-2929 and our lines are always open. If you have a moment, we'd appreciate your feedback of our crisis services at the following link:

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

Stay safe!

[Guest]

I am 16 and live in Missouri. Life has been stressful at my house and I’m wishing to live but I’m also on juvenile probation I wondering how I can leave without but getting in trouble by cops

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like the stress at home is taking a toll on you and you are looking to leave without getting into legal trouble. Here at NRS, we truly want to help.

Since you are on probation, if you left home without permission from your guardian there unfortunately might be additional consequences for you rather than just being returned home by police. The easiest way to leave home at 16 is with your guardian's 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 them. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

[Guest]

I’m 16 turning 17 in 3 months and my parents don’t understand that I’m not a little girl anymore. Everything my mother asks me to do I do it with no arguing or rolling of the eyes and I do the same for my stepdad. Even though I do everything they ask of me and more they still won’t let me do anything. I’ve asked them to take me to job interviews and hey won’t. They won’t take me to get my license either and they won’t let me go by myself. But they then complain about how I don’t have my license and how I don’t have a job. My aunt has volunteered to take me to get these things but when I ask she starts yellin and cursing me out then takes my phone and things like that. If I were to stay at my aunts house for a couple weeks or months would that be a bad thing to do? I don’t want to stay somewhere where I’m not happy and I’m not happy here at all. When I’m over here I’m sad and angry but when I’m with my aunt and cousin I’m the happiest person.

[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 problems that you are having with your parents. It sounds like you are thinking about staying with your aunt. You could try asking your parents if they would allow you to stay with you aunt. If you decide to leave home without your parent's consent they have the permission to file a runaway report. Your aunt could get charged with harboring a runaway if your parents decide to press charges.Some other options that you have are to contact CPS if you don't feel safe at home, or look into emancipation laws for your state. We hope that this information helps, if you have any questions please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), email, or live chat.

[Guest]

I’m 16 I’m from southeast Texas and I wanna kill myself
ive tried to but I can get though it my family and friends wants me gone they call me names and they always makes fun of me for nothing I haven’t done anything to them can someone tell me what to do I can’t keep doing this I’m always crying just bc of that I wanna run away but I don’t know who’s wants or will let me stay with them

[ccsmod3]

Hi there, thank you for reaching out.

Know that your life is valuable and that you deserve love and safety. There are people available to talk with you in times like these, and you are strong and brave for sharing this with us, even if it may not feel like it. If you feel like hurting yourself, you can always call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929), or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. There are people available who are trained and dedicated to helping you feel better.

You do not deserve to be called names by your family or friends. Sometimes this can be considered verbal abuse and can be reported to Child Protective Services, especially if it has gotten so bad that you are wanting to kill yourself. You can call us or Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 if you ever want help filing an abuse report, or you can always contact Child Protective Services directly to file a report.

Other people also find it helpful to tell another adult, like a teacher or school counselor, about what is happening. They may be able to help you be safer and happier at home or school. They also may be able to help link you to counseling services, if you think it may be helpful to talk to a mental health professional. We can also help you find an affordable counselor in your area, if you think this is right for you. Lastly, the National Alliance on Mental Illness may be helpful to call or text for helping finding a counselor or talking to a mental health professional. You can reach them at 1-800-950-NAMI, or by texting NAMI to 741741.

What you are going through may feel difficult to overcome right now, but you made a great first step to feeling better by reaching out to us today. We wish you luck and hope to hear from you soon.

-NRS

[Guest]

I’m 16 and I live in North Carolina. I want to move out and live with my best friends family. They agreed to it I just want to know if my parents want me to stay do I have to?

[ccsmod5]

Hi, thanks for reaching out. We are not legal experts but can give some general information. In most states, the age of majority is 18 meaning that you would need your parents’ consent to live with your friend’s family until then.

--NRS

[Guest]

I'm 16 and I'm wanting to move out of my parents house in a couple months when I turn 17. I've had multiple issues with my mom mentally abusing me and constantly making threats if I don't do what I'm supposed to. I've went to the child services for Indiana and they do absolutely nothing because they believe my mom and she ends up lying right through her teeth. I have one other sibling but she gets treated like a princess and I'm the one that gets the bad end of everything. I've already found a family that is willing to take me in and help with the emancipated things for me, but I've been reading things that I have to have a parents permission and I honestly don't think I'll be able to get permission from my mom and she has full guardian ship on me..

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. It definitely is unfortunate that you are being threatened by your mother and mentally abused by her. You don't deserve this and it's not your fault. Emancipation in Indiana is not something we're experts on - we're not lawyers. Our records about emancipation in Indiana do not indicate that you need parental consent for it, however. You can get more specific information about emancipation by talking to a lawyer or your local court system. Give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 if you want help locating such services. You may also want to have us call out to police where you live to determine if you leaving home at 17 is illegal where you live. In most parts of the U.S., it isn't, but we have heard of some Indiana police officers referring runaways to juvenile detention, so it may behoove you to have us call non-emergency police where you live for more info.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

Life, I can’t stand life I don’t know why some people blaming false ******** on me like why I didn’t do no ********kng ******** and all Im tryna do is focus on my career I don’t know why that person tryna make my life miserable

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you may be frustrated by someone and are upset because you feel blamed for things you haven't done. That makes sense. We're glad you're focusing on your career, and we hope that doing so will make you happier. If you want to talk with us more at length about these issues, feel free to call 1-800-786-2929.

Best,
NRS

[Guest]

Hey I'm Jessica im 15 turning 16 in October I live in Somerset KY and I can't stand living at my mom's house anymore she's kicked me out before and told me to live with my sister because I have depression and my cuts she's always saying that I'm untrustworthy and stuff and it doesn't really help with my depression im certainly trying to get a job so I can get a car and save up for an apartment is their anyway i could talk to my mom about this without her getting mad at me because I don't want her to hate me even more than she does but I also wanna move out bc she never lets me leave the house she dont let me go to my friends without my two younger siblings I feel like she only uses me to watch the kids but I can't stand to be around my sister long she has ADHD real bad and she's not on any pills when she's really mad she tells me I need to kill myself and that no one cares is it illegal to move out at 16?

[ccsmod4]

Reply:Hey I'm Jessica im 15 turning 16 in October I


Hello,
Thanks for contacting 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. You don’t deserve to be abused by anyone, please understand that it is not your fault that this has happened.
Just so that you know we are not legal experts and only can provide some general legal information when it comes to someone running away or someone assisting/aiding a person running away.

Someone under 18 that leaves home, the parent/guardian may file them as a runaway and they may be returned home. Also, those that a reported runaway stays with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. Anyone found to be assisting or aiding someone to run away may also find themselves at risk legally. For more specifics on the law, you might consider contacting the local non-emergency number for the police. You might also look for a legal aid center in the area. They may be able to answer any legal questions on the subject.


It sounds like you would possibly like to talk with your mom at some point but you are feeling a bit afraid about how she might react. We understand how upsetting and stressful this must be for you. Sometimes talking things out might help to come up with some options for coping with your situation and your depression.
If you would like to talk more in detail we are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. Contact NRS at: 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org (Live Chat).

You did a wonderful job reaching out and we hope that things get better for you.

If you should ever be at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

Take care,
NRS