Not Sure What To Do

[Unregistered]

So I have lived in Florida my entire life. I grew up there and feel at home there, it had been a recurring thought to my family to move to Texas to be with my extended family and be with my grandma since she was beginning to feel ill. We moved to Texas last year, my freshman year, and so far it has been terrible. The only times i truly feel happy is when I'm united with my entire family. I managed to pull through my freshman year despite my anxiety and raging depression until my grandma passed away. The sole reason for me agreeing to come to Texas slipped away. I've tried to convince my parents into letting me go back to Florida not just so I can put an end to my depression but also for the educational benefits of the high school I was supposed to attend. I have told them twice so far both accompanied with many tears from me and pleas to return to my old life but nothing. They simply put that since I am 16 they are legally responsible for me and can't let me live away from them. I tried establishing some sort of plan in which i can live with my grandmother up until i finish high school but they insist she is too old to take care of me. I decided to take matters into my own hands and also seek advice on how to deal with this. I can't stay here anymore, simply put. Though I love my family I need to put myself first. I'm the only one looking out for my own future and I can't do what i need to do to have bright future from here, I have not found a way to do so in the year that I've been here. Please help.

[ccsmod14]

RE: Not Sure What To Do

Hi there,

Thanks so much for reaching out. It sounds like you have been going through a lot and we’re here support you the best we can.

So we’re not legal experts here, but generally speaking if you do leave without legal guardian’s consent, they have the right to make a runaway report. It sounds like your parents have shared with you that they are legally responsible for you, which is correct. If they were to make a report, and the police find you they would just bring you back home. However, anyone that you stay with could potentially be charged for harboring.

It sounds like you would want to stay with your grandma, but she may not be in the best condition to take care of you which is really difficult. It sounds like you feel that there would be an educational benefit to going back, but your parents still have not budged on this idea. There might be some helpful things to think about before leaving home:

Do I have a place to stay?
What about school? Would I continue to get an education?
Am I going to be gone awhile or coming back in a few days?
What would I do for money? Shelter? Food? Transportation?
Who can I depend on if I leave home?
Do I have a safe, solid plan?
What is my plan b in case my first plan doesn’t work?
What have I done to make things better at home?
What can I do to make things better at home?
Who have I reached out to make things better at home?

Please do call or chat with us if you would like to talk further through your options and possible plans. We’re here to support you.

Best of luck,
NRS