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

[Guest]

hi im 15 soon to be 16 in 3 weeks. i llive in arizona and lately i have just not been happy at my home. im too stressed to deal with school and my parents at the same time. im working on getting a job. i just want to live on my own and focus.

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It must be really hard to live in a home where you don't feel happy and fulfilled. It's great to hear that you're planning on getting a job - that shows a great deal of maturity and responsibility. It may be beneficial to you to reach out to a school counselor/social worker to share what's been going on and how you've been feeling. Talking about what's going on may be able to help alleviate some of the stress you've been feeling.

Leaving home is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do. It’s important to consider all the possibilities that can occur if you run away. You will need to plan out how you will cover basic necessities like travel, food, clothing, etc. If you have a place to go in mind, it’s good to see what the expectations of the living arrangement will be like; rules, the amount of time you’re allowed to stay, if you’re expected to contribute financially, etc. This can all influence your decision to leave.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 16 and I live in Missouri, I can’t handle living at home anymore. My parents verbally abuse me on a daily basis, my parents also physically abuse each other on a daily basis where I am the only one in the house who can step up and stop them from hurting each other. On top of that we are a poor family with little money but the money that we do get usually gets spent towards weed for my parents. I have been dealing with different sicknesses and other stuff that I haven’t been able to go to the doctors for because we haven’t had the money to take me. This has this greatly affected my attendance at school. The few food we have in the house was paid for by food stamps, and we usually have free health insurance from the government because of us being so poor but for what ever reason lately we haven’t had the same coverage and when we call to discuss why with them we get put on hold for multiple hours and they don’t answer.

Im simply trying to figure out what I would need to do to be able to leave, I have two really good friends of mine who have both said on multiple occasions I can come live with them, because they have seen what I have to deal with. So what would I need to do in order to be able to move out and move in with one of those friends who are in a much better situation than me.

[ccsmod5]

Hello there,

Thanks for reaching out tonight and sharing your story with us. It sounds like you’re going through so much at home with you parents. You’ve gone through lately and it sounds like you’ve been incredibly brave and strong through it all. We would like to offer you a few resources that you may find helpful. First off, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 or https://www.thehotline.org/. Next, you have the right no file an abuse report or possible neglect at Child Help 1-800-422-4453 if that is something you are open to. Regarding the lack of food, and healthcare, we recommend reaching out to DCFS in Missouri and they can be reached at https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-prov...ram-overviews/ as well as local soup kitchens or food pantries. We are sorry to hear that you have been having such a tough time at home, what you are going through is not ok.

It sounds like you are very capable of taking care of yourself and the people around you. You asked about being able to leave home at the age of 16 in Missouri to stay with your friend. One option that you have is to apply for emancipation. Being emancipated means that you are responsible for yourself under the law. In Missouri, in order to be emancipated your first step would be to contact a lawyer. You can find a free or very cheap legal services if you call the Youth Law Project at (612) 332-1441 to find out more. They are probably available Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

Sometimes emancipation can take a little bit of time (it can take months) and it sounds like you really want to leave right now. Sometimes people that are facing the same things you are try and get permission from their guardian to move out. There are a few ways that you can try to talk to your parents about letting you move out. Another option you have is to have a third person in the room to help mediate the conversation between you. We offer a conference call option and can advocate for you on your behalf if that is something you are comfortable with.
If you were to leave home without permission, so we want to let you know about what that could look like legally. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parents 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. 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.
We hope that this information is helpful to you. If you’d like to talk more please feel free to call us 24 hours a day at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). If you calling isn’t your thing, you can chat with us through our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4.30pm-11.30pm Central Time. We look forward to your call or chat.

Best of luck to you,

NRS

[Guest]

Hello so I’m living with my cousin and she has sole custody of me but she treats me horrible and I’m 16 but I do not want to stay here anymore what should I do?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. We are not legal experts but we do have general information on the laws. Because you are a minor if you were to leave your home without permission your legal guardian would have the right to file a runaway report. If the police were to find you they would most likely bring you back home if they found it safe for you to go back home.
One option you could consider is seeing if you would be able to stay with a family member or a friend. Also if there is abuse going on at home you could always report it by calling The Child Helpline at: 1800-422-4453, we know that sometimes making an abuse report can be scary if you would like our help with making a report please give us a call at any time. Another option you could consider is emancipation. Which would grant you permission to move out before 18. To find out more about emancipation you could go to your local court house and ask to file for emancipation.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore your options more please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support to you. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 15 almost 16, I live in Massachusetts and I am planning to get a job at 16, because its hard to find one at 15, and move in with my boyfriend because I can't live in my house because I constantly get yelled, always am cleaning the house and my mom never gives me a break. I have divorced parents and my mom just got remarried and is turning my life into a living hell. I have gotten very depressed over the years and can no longer live in this situation.

[ccsmod2]

It sounds like you have been going through a difficult time, so we are glad you are reaching out to us because we are here to help. Changing of family dynamics can be a stressful time, but contacting us is a good first step in figuring out your options.

In your message you mentioned that you wanted to get a job. While we aren’t legal experts, we have heard that in order to work at the age of 16, you will need to get a worker permit approved by the local government. For most work permits, they may require a signature from a doctor and a parent. You mentioned that your mom is turning your life into a living hell, so if you are comfortable with it, you may want to reach out to your other parent for their signature. If you wanted to see an example of a work permit, you can visit the following site: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents...lication_0.pdf

You also mentioned wanting to live with your boyfriend. As we said before we are not legal experts, but we can let you know that running away isn’t illegal, but is considered a status offence. That means that if your mom were to report you as a runaway with the police, she could also press charges against anyone that takes you in (including your boyfriend). A way to avoid runaway reporting is to have parental permission, do you think your mom would be willing to give that?

Have you talked with anyone about how you’re feeling when you’re feeling depressed? Sometimes talking your situation our with someone (like a school counselor or even your mom) may be a good way for your to accomplish what you are looking for. If you aren’t comfortable speaking to your counselor or wanted help talking to mom, our hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) is available 24/7. We could talk to you about how your feeling and could even use our conference call service to help you speak with your mom. If you were comfortable with using our conference call service, we would talk with you, talk to your mom, and then join the calls together. We would then stay on the phone to help keep conversation constructive. We have found that sometimes having someone else present can help both sides feel heard.

As we said before we are here to help, but we are also here to listen. If you wanted to discuss the options we mentioned above or if you wanted to talk about other options, we are always available on the hotline we mentioned before.

Best of Luck!

[Guest]

im 15 going to be 16 I live in Michigan with my biological dad and stepmom..at first things were great here they took me and my sister in when we lived with our mom and were being physically abused and raped. I thank them so much for this but at the same time they are verbally and emotionally abusing me. My dad used to beat me as a little kid and he threatens to beat me today and it scares me. He constantly screams at me and calls me names. Some days are great but I get accused of doing things every day and it seems like i'm just not wanted here anymore. I dont know what to do. Is it possible that when I turn 16 I can move in with my boyfriend and his parents? I know I will be safe and taken care of there. Will the police bring me back home? Will I become a runaway? I will have a job soon and already have some money together. Im scared they will hate or disown me for leaving but at the same time I feel like I need too. That im better off on my own. Im so tired of being abused. Please help!

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension - you are so resilient for having gone through so much and you don't deserve to be verbally abused and threatened. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do. We aren't legal experts here at NRS but, your dad and stepmom can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor. If a runaway report is filed and you are located by the authorities you will most likely be returned to your dad and stepmom.

You mentioned some things about previous abuse and threats of continued physical violence that raise concern for your safety and well-being. Absolutely no one deserves to be abused. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. If any harm or abuse is happening at home, you have the right to report it. If you feel like this is an option you want to explore, you may find this website helpful: https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/. We can also help you to file a report if that’s the route you are considering.

It can be really hard to deal with this alone and sometimes it’s helpful to reach out to additional agencies for support. One really great resource for all survivors of sexual assault or abuse is RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network). You can call them any time 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673, or go to www.rainn.org to use their online hotline. RAINN is the National Sexual Assault Hotline and has a lot of services, support, and resources that you may find helpful.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm 16 and I live in Georgia and I want to Move out of my grandparents

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for sharing a little bit about what's going on. It might be a good idea to go over what’s going on in depth, or if explore other options that you may have available to you, by calling us directly at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 17 and turn 18 in three months in utah my parents wont let me leave the house to hangout can i leave anyway?

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. Realistically there is nothing stopping you from leaving the house but, if you were to leave the house without permission, considering you are still a minor, there is the possibility that your parents could file a runaway report with the local police. If a report was to be filed and you were found you would most likely get taken back to your parents’ house. If you would like to discuss your options further you’re always welcome to give us a call at 1800RUNAWAY (786.2929)where one of our trained staff can assist you through options.

All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

Something went wrong with my first message but anyways: I am 15 almost 16 and live in Florida. I have been wanting to move out for a LONG time. My mom well tell me she hates me, she will blame me for every little thing wrong in her life, I feel like I prisoner in this house. My two older sisters offered their house and said I can live with them when I turn 16 but they aren’t blood they are my old step sisters but I still see them as sisters to this day. I just want to know if I can leave this house at 16 without causing too much trouble.. I just want to be happy..

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for reaching out to us, we are glad that you did. It sounds like life at home is very hard and stressful because of your mom telling you that she hates you and blaming you for the things that are wrong in her life. You don’t deserve to be treated this way; you don’t deserve to feel like a prisoner in your house. We are also glad that your step-sisters are emotionally close to you and supportive.

As far as leaving home without causing too much trouble, in most states running away is something you can’t do because of your status as a minor. Your mom would have the right to file a runaway report with the police, and if she knew where you were, she could have them bring you home. Maybe asking to spend some overnights or weekends with your sisters is a way to both give you a break and to ease her into the idea of eventually moving in with them.

We hope this helps and would really like to help you talk this all over. You can reach us either through our telephone hotline at 1-800-runaway (1-800-786-2929) or our live chat through the website 1800runaway.org We are here for you 24/7 to listen and to help.

Sincerely, NRS

[Guest]

Im 16 and from iowa im a 3 time felon i got into drugs really baf whrn i lost my older brother. For the last year or so i have been sober and working amazing jobs. I have a jib lined up got mysekf enrolled in school and have paid rent my dad gave me consent to leave now he is telling me that he will get cops involved if i have his consent documented am i still entitled to go home?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out. Sounds like you have really been through it in the past and have worked hard to get on your feet. Your resilience is admirable, and it sounds understandably frustrating that your dad is going back on his permission after you have done so much for yourself.

We are not legal experts but we can speak generally. Unfortunately, permission is not usually legally binding and your dad can go back on it. So it was really smart of you to document the consent if police do get involved, but we are not sure if that documentation would hold up legally.

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 through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat. 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’re here to listen and to help and hope you can reach out soon.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm 16 and I live in Oklahoma and I want to move out of my parents house bc I can't take all the yelling, fighting, fighting with my siblings and getting so depressed bc of my family.

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what’s been going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension. Running away is a big decision and it can be very stressful to figure out what you want to do.

It sounds like your parents might not fully understand how all the fighting and yelling is making you feel. It could be a good idea to work with a local family counselor or have a conversation mediated by a school counselor/social worker, trusted friend, or family member to help clear the air. If you'd like, you can also call us directly and we can conduct a conference call with your parents so you have a safe environment where you can express yourself.

It’s important to consider all the possibilities that can occur if you leave home. You will need to plan out how you will cover basic necessities like travel, food, clothing, etc. If you have a place to go in mind, it’s good to see what the expectations of the living arrangement will be like; rules, the amount of time you’re allowed to stay, if you’re expected to contribute financially, etc. Living on your own can also bring about many safety risks. You will need to consider ways that you can protect yourself from physical harm as well as the possibility of exploitation. This can all influence your decision to leave.

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.
Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi there....I’m gonna be 16 on the 22nd and I really am tired of living with my parents. I live in New Jersey and I was wondering if there is anyway I can possibly move in with my friend without or with parents’ consent. I’m dealing with depression and other emotional stuff and my dad doesn’t want to accept that I’m a part of the LGBTQ community. I really also am tired of dealing with 11 people in the house. Is there anything I can possibly do....? I tried looking for emancipation but that seems to have to be with parents’ consent.

[ccsmod4]

Hi there....Im gonna be 16 on the 22nd...

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at 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. 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. 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. A good way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.
NRS is here to listen and here to help. We want you to know that you are strong for having gone through so much already.

It is perfectly okay to move away from what family members or others in the common population believe to be “normal”. Your bravery and resilience is admirable. You are so strong for having gone through so much without having the acceptance that you deserve for just being you. Remember that you are not alone. If you ever want to talk more about what you are experiencing or explore options for additional support we are here 24/7 at 1800-RUNAWAY or our live chat service.
The GLBT National Hotline at 1-888-843-4564 is another option to gain great support from those that are familiar with the issues and experiences of those that are also a part of the LGBTQ community. You can access their website link bellow to utilize all the other possibly useful resources they have to offer: http://www.glbthotline.org/

Stay Strong,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi im a parent of a 16 yr who has a child.she has become very unruly and disrespectful.she doesnt go to school and sits around arguing with her three younger siblings she has even gine as far a being violent and destructive.i work at night so im not at home to see what goes on .but do hear about her behavior from her siblings .im at my wits end with her.what can i do.we live in oklahoma.im bout to put her out.

[ccsmod13]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS. It sounds like your daughter has been adding a lot of unnecessary stress at home. It can definitely be frustrating to have a child who is acting out and being violent. Reaching out is a really good first step and there are options. As her parent, you know what will be best for your situation. Some possible interventions to try could include counseling or what is a called a Child in Need of Supervision program (CHINS). Depending on your state, there may be a program either through your local family court or the juvenile delinquent program. These programs can help families receive services and needed interventions for children with behavioral issues who do not want to cooperate with household/school rules. The Oklahoma CHINS program generally will ensure that parents have exhausted other options (counseling, a family contract, support groups, tough loves, residential and alternative schools) before entering the juvenile system. Behaviors that qualify include status offenses (running away or skipping school) as well as destructive and violent behaviors at home. From what you mentioned, it sounds like your daughter would qualify for these services. If you would more information about the CHINS program or you want to file for services, you can contact your county's Juvenile Services office.

We are here 24/7 if you would like additional support or information about navigating this difficult situation. Do not hesitate to reach out by phone (1-800-786-2929) or our online chat services (1800runaway.org) if you have any questions or you would like to talk more in-depth about your situation.

Good luck,
NRS

[Guest]

im 16 live in Washington and do not feel save at my house and I feel like if I stay there much longer I'm going to kill myself, I just want to move out I have a job and my permit and I'm working on getting my license, what can I do to get out of my house ASAP

[ccsmod10]

It sounds like you are thinking about harming yourself or ending your life. It takes a lot of strength to reach out for help, and we are so glad that you did. Your life has worth and our top priority is your safety. If you feel this is an emergency you could consider calling 911 for emergency assistance. We are here to listen and support you in any way that we can, and we can help you find resources that can help you cope with these feelings. You do not have to face this alone, and there is so much help out there for you. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, the National Suicide Hotline could be a good resource for you. You can check them out at www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, or you can call 1-800-273-8255 for help and support any time.

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. You can call 1-800-273-8255 for help and support any time. You can also call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) if you need to talk.

[Guest]

I’m 16 and I want to leave my home I always get blamed and always made to feel like ******** I want to move out and live with my gf and her mom it’s a safe place do u think I will be told to come home or get them
in trouble

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to us. It sounds like you have really been giving this a lot of thought, since you thought of a safe place to go to. While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are younger than 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
Maybe you can talk to a guidance counselor, friend or family member you trust about what you are going through. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone about what you are experiencing to go over options. You also could try and spend the night with a friend and get away from home for a weekend, with permission, so that you can process how you are feeling away from your parents. If you need more support and just want to talk with someone about what you are feeling you can always call us at 1800-Runaway or contact NAMI at 1800-950-NAMI. We are 24/7, confidential, and here to help! Best of Luck with everything.