I'm 14 and I want to move out

[Guest]

I'm 14 and I've been wanting to move out for 2-3 years. I have a few friends nearby who would take me in. I just can't stand it where I am anymore. My mother drinks every Thursday, Friday, and most Saturdays. When she does, she doesn't stop screaming at me. It gets really bad and it'll be over little things like, I forgot to sweep the floor or something. She also calls me names and makes fun of me. She acts like my little sister is an angel and treats her like one but looks at me like I'm a mistake that she would've aborted if she believed in it. I don't think I can take it anymore.

[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 really tough time. Having your mother drink a lot and scream at you can be really scary. One resource that may be helpful to you is called SAMHSA (substance abuse and mental health services). They may be able to give you resources they can be reached at 1800-662-4357.
We know you mentioned moving out, we are not legal experts but we do have some information. If you were to leave home at 14 without permission your legal guardian could file a runaway report. If the police were to find you they most likely would bring you back home. One option you could consider is seeing if you could stay with a friend or family member. Another option to consider is talking with a school counselor about what is going on at home.
We hope 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. Just know you are not alone there is always someone willing to help and willing to listen. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

[Guest]

Hello,
I'm 14 and I'm considering leaving home. Things have been pretty shaky between me and my mom these last couple of years, but recently our relationship has been getting worse. Last September, she dragged me across the carpet and it left a mark on my back. The next day I showed her the mark and there was no reaction. She basically acted like the whole thing never happened. My mom has also threatened to make me switch schools if I don't join the soccer team. When I confronted her about it, she yelled at me. I've tried to talk to her about it multiple times, but she always leaves the room and doesn't talk to me. On Monday I decided I didn't want to put up with it anymore and asked her if she even wanted to have a relationship with me. She said no and when I started to cry, she mocked me and told me I was being dramatic. I don't think I'm emotionally able to stay in this house with her anymore. I can't think of anything else to do.

[ccsmod0]

Hi there,

We are sorry your mom has been treating you like this; You do not deserve to be treated that way. You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your mom'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 your mom. 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]

Im only 14 and I have a very difficult living situation. My mom and dad divorced when I was little and my mom had custody over me for 11 years. 3 years ago I started living with my dad and he knew I didn't want too. He's very controlling and emotionally abusive. So it causes me to act up and lie to him about everything. He did something very cruel a couple days ago and I just want to get away from this house. I have no phone to contact anyone. My mom is trying to get back custody of me. but I feel hopeless and I just want to runaway to my moms house.

[ccsmod15]

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out to us; we are glad that you did. It sounds like you have a very difficult situation since you started living with your dad. You don’t deserve to be emotionally abused by him or by anybody. We are glad that your mom is trying to get custody back. You are very brave and resourceful and we are glad that you found us.
Two things to think about: Maybe you can think of someone at school to talk to about this. Maybe they can let you use the school phone to talk to your mom. The other thing is to reach out to us using our live chat service, and we can have a conversation with you in real time. Then we can help you with what you are going through and work to help your situation. You can reach our chat at www.1800runaway.org
We do hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely
NRS

[Guest]

i’ve wanted to move out for a while but my great grandma has custody over me and she’s controlling of everything i do. there’s only one place she lets me go and it’s to my girlfriends house where i go every other weekend her dad and step mom have told me that if i need to i can come stay with them and they can adopt me or get guardianship over me so i don’t have to live where i am at anymore. almost everyday there is a fight or fuss about something and somehow it always ends up coming to the time i snuck out and how i got expelled from a school and how i’m now a terrible child since i’ve done it i’m not allowed to see my mom and i barely see my sister. my great grandma never lets me do anything during the week or weekends when i’m not with my girlfriend and it’s so stressful and i can’t do it anymore. would it be possible for me to move out at 14?

[ccsmod6]

Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out to NRS, we’re glad you’re sharing about your situation. It sounds like you’re experiencing some tension at home and conflict with your great grandma. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and we’re here to listen and help.
While we’re not legal experts at NRS, from our general experience, it can be tricky for youth under the age of 18 to move out. If you chose to leave home without your great grandma’s permission, she could potentially file a runaway report with the police. Running away before you turn 18 is a status offense, meaning it is something you can’t do because of your age but it is not illegal/a crime. You won’t be arrested for running away, but the police could bring you home if your great grandma choses to involve them. One thing to consider is that your girlfriend’s parents could get in trouble for something called harboring a minor, if your great grandma choses to go to the police. This would be something you might want to talk through with them to ensure they’re aware of that and on the same page. Adoptions and changes of guardianship can be a complex legal process that can take a long time to complete. We can help you look up legal resources in your area if you are interested in learning more about the laws where you live. We know this is a tough situation, and it can feel really unfair and stressful when you’re not allowed to see people in your life. We at NRS offer a conference line service, which can help to open up a dialogue with your great grandma about her rules and the ways in which you’d feel more comfortable at home. You can access this service by calling our 24/7 line at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
We hope this helped and if you would like to discuss your situation in greater detail you can give us a call on our hotline or chat with us on our website. We look forward to hearing from you and we wish you the best of luck.
-NRS

[Guest]

hi, I'm 14 years old and I hate living in my house. I'm the middle child and my parents always treat me differently by not letting me go hang out with friends when we have nothing to do and it's hot out. but they let my older and little brother do whatever. can i move into my real dad's house or my nanas house? they treat me equally like everyone else. they don't yell at me for stupid stuff. that's one question I have. is can I move in with one of them at 14 years old?

[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. It sounds super frustrating to not be afforded the same liberties as your brothers.

It's great to hear that your dad and your nana are supportive of you! It may be beneficial to speak with your dad and/or your nana directly about your desire to live with them. Sometimes custody transfers will need to go through the family court system and it may be beneficial to speak with a legal advocate. If you need help locating a legal aid group near you you can check out https://www.lawhelp.org/find-help/.

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.

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 support youth and families. Please click the link below to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I am 14 and I ran away last week I am home now because my parents got the cops involved, my parents hate me I know they do. They put a restraining order on my boyfriend and I have to sleep in my parents room on the floor. They say they love me but they are only hurting me. I love my family but they make me feel like they don't want me home. They say that I disappoint them all the time so I don't understand why they won't let me leave. I just want to leave again and I have been thinking about it a lot. I feel like I disappoint everyone. I can't do it anymore, as soon as I get home I get yelled at. My parents yell at me sooo much and I just want to punch them in the face. I stopped responding to all their questions because they are just getting more people in trouble. I am thinking about talking to my social worker to get a lawyer and pressing charges against my parents for taking away my freedom.

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thank you for contacting National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are going through a lot at home with your parents and we are here to support and help you.

We aren't legal experts at NRS, but since you are under the age of 18, you are considered a minor and a legal guardian would need to authorize an alternate living situation for you. As you experienced before, your parents can always file a report if you choose to run away from home again, and while you are a minor you will most likely be brought back home again. Running away isn't illegal, but something that can't be done as a minor (like smoking or gambling etc.).

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 may be most helpful for you to consider calling us at 1-800-786-2929 and speak with us so we can obtain more information from you about what’s going on. We are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. We can help find supportive resources for you and brainstorm a plan that will keep you safe.

Best of luck,
National Runaway Safeline

[Guest]

I'm not trying to run away, because if I did my mom threatened to call the police, but I'm so tired of my life. If I go to bed even a minute late, she'll wake me up at midnight to get ready for school and I’m exhausted. Last night she took my phone away bc my friends were "distracting me" from real life. She tries to isolate me from everyone and then insults me for hours saying it's my own good. What do I do?

[ccsmod4]

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
Some situations can be disappointing and even upsetting thus making things uncertain about what to do or where to turn. It can be tough trying to understand the actions of others and it sounds like it’s been frustrating for you. You don’t deserve to be mistreated and it’s not your fault that she has been behaving this way.
NRS is here to listen and here to help. We want you to know that we are here as support during this challenging time.

If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon. NRS is here to listen and here to help.
We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org.
Again tell us what it is you would like us to help you with and we will be happy to explore some options with you.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I really wanna leave im 14 i wan a go wit my grama i don’t understand whg my mom want let me ive been thru so much ******** i jusg im loosing my mind .

[ccsmod0]

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your mom's permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative (like your grandma), or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your mom. 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

Please click the link below to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

hi, I'm twelve, thirteen in November. when I was six my father died. my mom had been seeing another man since I was four, so he moved in shortly after my father passed. I was young but I never agreed to him moving in with us. ever since he moved in my mom has slowly distanced herself away from me, making me afraid to talk to her and tell her about myself. my stepfather is homophobic, I've been questioning my sexuality for a couple of months now, and I'm afraid to talk about it. I'm constantly being picked at about forgetting little things, like taking the bathroom trash out or taking out the dishes from the dishwasher. my stepfather does not take me seriously when I say I'm unhappy and when I bring it up he laughs and walks away. when he is angry he takes it out on me, always saying I'm not good enough for the family and that I'm a horrible child. my mother just sits in the corner and agrees with him, and if she doesnt he gets angry and starts a fight with her. i was diagnosed with anxiety at eleven and was put into homeschool shorty after. if I get too stressed out about something I shout, something like "please just stop". my stepfather tells my mother fibs that I use my anxiety as an excuse to get out of doing something. but it's not that, I can't mentally handle getting yelled at because I made a mistake. it's too much for me. I have had a family friend noticed how my stepfather acts around me, and shes let me stay at her house for many nights just to getaway. I've been thinking about it more and i am unhappy at home, its been this way for six years. i need a break away. i want to eventually be able to have a full conversation with my stepdad without yelling, but i cant right now. is there any way id be able to temporarily move out at this age?

[ccsmod15]

Hey there, thanks for reaching out to us. We know it can be hard to talk about difficult situations going on at home and we appreciate your bravery in doing so today. We are here for you.

It sounds like home has been difficult. It can be frustrating to be picked on about little things like you said forgetting to take out the dishes. You also mentioned your stepdad being homophobic and you have been questioning your sexuality recently. You deserve to be accepted for who you are which includes questioning your sexuality. If you want an ally to talk to regarding anything about LGBTQ+ subjects or want someone to listen, the Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386/thetrevorproject.org) is a great resource! Although they are a hotline for suicidal LGBTQ+ folks, you do not have to be suicidal to call and they have an online chat on their website which also has a ton of resources for support. We are also here 24/7 if you feel comfortable talking to us too, we truly do care about you and are here to listen and help as best we can.

Your main question you asked was if it was possible to move out for some time at your age of 12 almost 13. We aren’t legal experts, but generally in the US the age of adulthood is 18 meaning your parents/guardians are legally responsible for you until you turn that age. This includes deciding where you live. If you do decide to leave home, they may file something called a runaway report. Generally, running away isn’t illegal per say, it is something called a status offense. Similar to curfew, you would not be arrested or charged. In most cases the police will take a report to help try to find the youth and bring them back to their parents/guardians. This could be something in mind if you do believe your mom and stepdad may file a runaway report.Another option is you can always ask your mom permission to live elsewhere, like with a relative or someone you and your mom agree to that would provide a safe and caring environment for you.

We can always talk through a plan with whatever you decide to do (try to move out or not, etc.). Don’t hesitate to reach back out to us if you want to talk further about what you talked about today or anything else. We are always here 24/7 through our phones at 1-800-RUNAWAY or on chat at 1800runaway.org. Stay safe and we hope to hear from you soon.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

I am 14 years old. I do not want to live with my parents I feel as we don’t have the same perspective when it comes to my future me and my mother are never on the same page when it comes to much things on a daily bases . I feel as I can’t go to my father for things because he is abusive and I will not be able to have a normal life while being in his house hold . Which then my mother usually holds against me as he not in my life most the time but when it comes to getting disaplined he is .I feel as if I was to get emancipated I can have my own view on life without getting judged in my house for making a mistake then threated to be sent to my fathers after making mistakes where knowing I will get beatin there . I also think living with my mother my opinion does not matter I can not express my feelings or what I’m thinking in the house . I feel as I shouldn’t be staying somewhere I’m not wanted .

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for contacting NRS. It sounds like you are in a very difficult situation and reaching out to us is a good step toward taking control of the situation. No one should be treated the way you have been treated. Your parents have an obligation to provide you with a loving and supportive environment.
Do you have friends or family members that you are comfortable talking to about your situation? Is there a teacher or counselor at school that you would be comfortable talking to? You should be aware that school teachers or counselors may be mandated reporters - if you tell them certain things about your situation they may have a legal obligation to file an abuse report.
A potential resource is Child Help – the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or www.childhelp.org. They have volunteers available to talk about your situation and suggest resources that may be helpful to you. You could also contact your local Department of Child Protective Services. If you are uncomfortable doing so no your own, you can call us and we can make the call with or for you.
We are not legal experts, but we can provide some general information that may be helpful to you. As a 14 year old, you are considered a minor. In most states, the age of majority, the age at which you can legally leave home, is 18. If you leave home, your parents can file a runaway report. Running away is not a crime. If you are picked up by the police, they will likely take you back home.
You should also be aware that if you are staying with a friend or family member and you are picked up there, the police could charge them with harboring a runaway. Police in different jurisdictions handle runaway and harboring cases differently. If you call the nonemergency number of your local police department, they may be able to tell you how they handle runaway and harboring cases. Again, if you are not comfortable calling on your own, you can call us and we can make the call with or for you.
Emancipation is a legal proceeding that allows you to legally leave home. Emancipation laws vary from place to place, but all will require that you can demonstrate that you are able to support yourself financially. Legal aid resources may be available to help you explore emancipation as a potential option.
Our primary concern is that you are safe and off the street. If you leave home you can consider contacting National Safe Place at www.nationalsafeplace.org or text SAFE and your location to 44357. They will tell you the closest safe place location where you can go until you determine what you want to do. There may be alternative housing resources available in your area. A potential resource is Homeless Shelter Directory at www.homelessshelterdirectory.org.
You can also always contact us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800runaway.org. We have volunteers available 24/7 to talk and to help you find the resources you need.
We wish you the best!

[Guest]

I've been going through alot lately and only being 14 is hard enough ill be 15 in 3 more months and I want to move out. First, my mum met my step dad a few years back ever since then she haven't been the same. She's been working alot and getting stressed, smoking. And she's been through alot I love my mum but she will do anything to keep my step dad around. Leaving me to watch my younger siblings. So my dad offered to take me. He has a house to take care of me I have my own room more space. And when I'm with my dad I'm happy. My mum has changed alot she screams at me and my older brother we clean everything like everyday she makes false statement claiming I want attention she thinks, I like my step dad and what kills me even more is she won't let me leave I have been extremely sad and stressed living here and when I try to talk to her about it she pushes me away. I love my mum so much but I don't want to live here I want to go somewhere where I feel loved, and I want to get a job and study for college to be a lawyer with the way everything going now I don't think I can do that. I've also been having thoughts of harming myself (suicidal) and I think of it way to often. She asks my family for money and pretend it's me, my step dad takes my phone so I wouldn't contact anyone, my mum tells me not to tell my dad anything. And when I do call him if I bring up any family business I will get my phone taken the last time I brought up my mum to him I didn't see him for 2 years. So please I don't want my mum to get in trouble I just want to go.

[ccsmod0]

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 living with your mom and stepdad. You may be able to have other family members or trusted family friends help convince your mom that living with your dad may be a good idea for you 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

Please click the link below to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

I just feel I can’t take it anymore... I am to the point that I have been diagnosed with stress involved migraines . I can live with my mom in Baltimore but my g Na won’t let me and she just acts like everything is my fault ex. My uncle and me have been in a physical fight involving knives, bats and so much more and she keeps using the excuse of he was on drugs so the slightest things set him off soo blah blah blah.... So if I stay here any longer I’m at going to go insane. My family is dis functional and if I stay here I am going to tell cps even tho my grandma begs me not too so her herpes having crackhead son won’t go to jail... so plzz give me advice or I’m walking to Baltimore to go with my mom

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to share your situation with us on our bulletin. From what you shared, home has been very dangerous and you are not being adequately cared for. Your safety and well-being are very important and you deserve to feel safe where you live. If a family member becomes physical again you do have the right to call 911 for emergency services.

You do have the option of making a report to CPS. This can be a scary decision to make especially if a family member is threatening you, but you do not have to do it alone. 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 making a report and what it would look like for you.

A helpful start might be to reach out to your mom or another adult you trust before setting of on your own to travel to your mom. Perhaps an adult can help facilitate you staying with your mom or another safe place and make sure you can travel safely if needed. If you feel like you need to leave the house immediately an organization called National Safe Place might be able to help. You can text "safe" and your current address to 44357 for help finding a safe place to go.

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.

[Guest]

I am 13 years old and I need to get out of my house.

So its me and my dad and my 2 other brothers and I was in foster care for 3 years, almost 4 years. I've been living with my dad for over a year now and I've suffered with long term depression and bipolar anxiety and something else and it doesn't help when I walk into my dads house I feel like I'm in trouble everytime. I feel like everyone disappointed in me. I dont feel safe sometimes not by others, by myself, so I'm moving out my birthday is this sunday, March.15. So I'm going to move into a house that had girls that make me feel like I'm bit a disappointment and I dont have any anxiety around them and one of them has a kid, hes so cute and he just started kindergarten. Their so nice and I love being around them, they've already said I can. My friend going to help move out this Sunday. I'm excited. Oh ya it also means I dont have to move away from my home town. So u live in a small town and my dad want to move our family to Vancouver, I dont want to and my mom wouldn't do good their. She would get worse on her drugs. My moms been doing drugs since I was 4, so i toke care of my 4 brother whitch are all older then me besides one. I toke care of then sice I was 4 tell I was 10 when we all went into foster care. Enough about that ********. I'm just trying to get my ********ing life together. By moving out on Sunday will help me. I have to go now. I'm just a but worried about my dad and how hell re acted.

[ccsmod13]

Hey there,

We are glad you reached out, we know how hard it can be to seek out help and you are very brave to feel comfortable to tell us what has been going on. It sounds like you have gone through a lot with parents and your siblings. It is not fair that your family makes you feel like you are in trouble everytime you go home and that they make you feel unsafe. You do not deserve to be treated in a way that makes you feel like a disappointment. You are very strong for being able to take care of your family for a long time until you had gone into foster care, and you are very strong for making sure that you are taking care of yourself as well.

We are glad you have a group of girls there to support you through this time. We are also glad to hear that they are willing to take you in if you decide to leave your home. If you decide to make that decision to move out without your parents permission, we would like to let you know what the outcome could possibly look like. Because you are still a minor, your parents have every right to file a runaway report with the police. Now we are not legal experts but typically what that looks like is the police may or may not actively search for you, but if they do find you, there is a possibility that they will take you in until your parents are able to pick you up or they would take you straight home. If you were to go to a family member’s house or a friend’s house and the police were to find you there, your friends could be put at risk of possibly being charged with a fine for harboring a runaway.

If you do ever feel like you are unsafe for whatever reason, you can text 44357, they are the National Safe Place. You would text them the message SAFE and location (your address, city, state) and they will reply back with the nearest safe location you can go to.

You have a lot of courage and reaching out can be hard and we are glad you reached out to us. With everything you have experienced, it must be frustrating when your family is unable to make you feel safe or help to bring down your anxiety. If you want to talk more in depth about what is going on, do not hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or start a chat with us on www.1800runaway.org. We are here 24/7, we are completely confidential and we are here for you and here to listen.

Best of Luck,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi this is my second time on here, I'm almost 14 this sunday and nothing has changed since the last time and I know the legal age to move out its 18 I think, but in my knowing once u turn 14 u are allowed to move out once u are 14, but only with an adult older then 22. Their has to be an adult in the house hold u move into. I've talked about this before with the child protective services, I think it's called, or people know it as the foster system. The person I talked to said I could move out once I'm 14. I talked to my counselor today also, she said with what she knows about this, she sees nothing worng with this, and my dad would know where I was and what I would be doing (ect). He would still be in my life, but we wouldn't be living in the same house. Idk I'm just worried about how hell act still. I love him to peaces and all, and he would never hurt me or anything, just that he gets upset fast and he raises his voice and it scares me, just because when I was older I was verbally abused by my drug addict mother. So it just scares me, just from the past. I guess. Idk, I'm still figuring that stuff out, but I'm just nervous about maybe moving out. Idk yet. But everything will be fine and I will figure it out, like I always do, like I've been doing since I was 4 years old, all by myself

[ccsmod4]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here again 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. You don't deserve to be abused in any way. It is not your fault.
You have the right to want to be treated fairly.

As of right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws. Okay.

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 under 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.

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. 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).

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

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

hey im 14 and i have a terrible childhood but not as bad but i have a mom who is rude very disrepectful she calls me names and hits me and makes me so anoyed plus when we argue she never pays attention im tired of her and my dad and mom had hit me many times in my life and i know im not the best child and they keep taking my phone and sutff but im very tired of staying in dis home i want to go live somewhere else maybe with a friend but i dont want to leave my life i have my school my friends my boyfriend i wouldnt want to change that but i dont want to stay with my parents anymore i am completely done with them

[ccsmod3]

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your parents 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 your parents. 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