im 15 and wanting to run away

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling us what is going on with you. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation right now and hopefully we can help you find some resources to help you stay safe. Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are not legally trained so we wouldn’t be able to tell you specifically what to do but we can help you try to stay safe.

You said that you don’t fit in with your family and that you are sick of feeling that way. Would you be able to tell us a little more about what makes you feel that way? We are sorry to hear that, it seems very frustrating for you.

You mentioned that you had a boyfriend and it sounds like you are planning on living with him starting in August. Can you tell us a little more about your relationship with him? Again, we aren’t legally trained here but it is our understanding that, if he is over 18, he could get into trouble if you were to stay there. If your parents were to file a runaway report and they knew where you were staying, then they could possibly send the police to pick you up.

On our website, we do have a list of questions and suggestions to consider before you leave home (http://www.1800runaway.org/youth/nrs_can_help/). We are non directive here so we wouldn’t tell you what to do but we can help you find resources such as shelters in order for you to stay safe. We are confidential and anonymous so you can call us at anytime, our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) if you would like to explore your options and what resources may be available to you.

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

~NRS

[Unregistered]

im 15 and wanting to runaway and live with my 23 year old sister

I'm 15 and I want to runaway because my parents, I don't get beat I just cant live there anymore I realize this may seem a little selfish that I want to run away but I just cant stand it anymore. my sister is 23 and a single mom of 2 kids and she said its alright if I move in with her till I get out of high school, I will be getting a job soon so I can help her out with money and babysit her kids all the time also my high school is right next to where she lives and I have scholarships for colleges and money saved up so money, food, shelter and education are not a problem but my parents are you see I've tried to convince them to let me leave before and they know im not happy here but my mom hates my sisters [she is their stepmom but she is my real mom] and is overprotective over me this is the third time I have tried to leave and I NEED HELP CONVINCING THEM TO LET ME LEAVE, my sister offered for me to move in with her before I even asked because she knows and understands my pain I JUST WANT TO LEAVE SO BAD BUT I NEED THEM TO LET ME! I JUST CANT LIVE WITH THEM ANYMORE! I have even considered just running with nowhere to go so they would have no say but I know it wouldn't work but I'm dispirit!!!!! I have even considered suicide even though I know its not the answer. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us and telling your story. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation right now and we’re glad you have contacted us. Hopefully, we can provide you with some resources but we aren’t legally trained here so we can’t give you any definite answers.

You mentioned that you want to leave home and go stay with your sister because you don’t want to stay at home anymore. We are sorry to hear that; can you tell us a little more about what is going on at home that makes you want to leave? You mentioned that you had tried to talk with them before about allowing you to leave and stay with your sister but they didn’t allow for it. It sounds like your mom doesn’t like your sister; do you think that’s why she won’t let you go?

If you did leave home, it sounds like you have a plan to go stay with your sister, find a job and finish high school. It also sounds like she agrees with this plan; has she tried talking with your dad about it? Since your mom is her stepmom maybe talking to your dad will help you out. If your parents don’t allow you to leave home, do you think you would runaway? If you were to do that, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) and we have a database of resources such as shelters or other safe places to go.

It sounds as if you have also considered committing suicide at times. Should you ever feel that way again, you can call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 and talk with someone there.

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

~NRS

[Unregistered]

15, Hopefully Talented, Wanting to be Free

Hello,
I am 15 years old, about to finish my first year of high school. Throughout my life I have had this sense of complete independence, most likely due to the fact that my parents are more like friends than real leaders. My mother works 2 hours away and is barely home, my father lives in a different part of the USA, and my half brother is in college. Right now, my life is fine, you could even say great in the eyes of most people. It wasn't always that way, considering I have rather serious PTSD from my family's pre-divorce domestic violence, but regardless...
I suppose what I'm trying to get across is that I cannot live the way I do anymore. I've always felt like I'm constantly supporting everyone, like I have to be right there for everybody I know or else the whole world will come crashing down. Recently, I stepped away from that, and without realizing it I'm still in the fray. I've studied the works of Thoreau, along with just now reading the 'infamous book' Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer. I've pretty much always thought of running away, but now its something that I truly cannot ignore. Lavish life in suburbia is a prison for those who know nothing else.
As for my ability to sustain myself, I am an accomplished musician, artist, and writer. If I need food, I can get out on the streets with my guitar to buy dinner. I also have learned the art of blacksmithing, which is honestly not that helpful, but it's given me an idea as to handle money. Im almost done with a $350 commission which will put my work into a fine art gallery.
Many may be thinking that I must be a freaking idiot for wanting to run away. I get it. But my life right now seems like a prison, like all the things offered here in where I am are nothing now to me. I need to be free, that I might even possibly be able to flourish for a moment, even if I have to work my way from meal to meal. Even if I die in the end, at least I'll have lived my life as it should've been.

[ccsmod0]

RE: 15, Hopefully Talented, Wanting to be Free

Hi there,

Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. Wow, it seems like you’re going through so much right now. You are incredible at expressing how you feel – what a quality to have! It comes in handy when reaching out for some support, and it was brave of you to do so.

It sounds like you’re feeling pretty trapped in the way that you are experiencing life and that you’re looking for something more. That’s completely understandable. Have you tried talking to anyone about how you’re feeling? Sometimes when we are feeling so overwhelmed with the pressure of taking care of everyone, it can be helpful to share those feelings with others.

We absolutely do not think you are an idiot. If you do feel as though running away is your only option, there are some things that you may want to consider. Here is a list of questions that you may want to ask yourself:

• What would make me stay at home?
• How will I survive if I run?
• Where will I stay?
• Where can I get food?
• Who can I count on to help me?
• If I end up in trouble, who will I call?
• If I return home, what will happen?

These questions might help you in coming to a well-informed decision. If you’d like to talk through this with someone, we are here to talk 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are completely confidential and anonymous. If calling isn’t your thing, you can chat with us through our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4.30pm-11.30pm CST. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

There are options available to you and people here who hope to help you through this tough spot.

Best of luck to you,

NRS

[ishita]

want to run away from home

m tired of everything.. i did'nt get good grades till class 10 m in 11th now. my parents allways compare me wid oders . i really try to get marks .. work hard.. bt. cant do it.. i hv also tried to sucide many times.. but did'nt succeeded.. i just want to live my own life! i dont want anyone else. d whole day all i hear is worst and worst about me.. i m tired of everything now. i want to take a step further. please help !!

[ccsmod6]

re: want to run away from home

Hi

Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear about the way things are going for you at home. It sounds like even though you have managed to pull your grades up it is still not good enough. It sounds pretty tough to have to live up to someone else's expectations of you especially when you are constantly being criticized. You mentioned that you have tried committing suicide before. Have you been able to talk to a counselor or therapist about your suicide attempt? The National Suicide Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if you would like to talk to someone.

It sounds like you are tired of the way things have been going at home and is ready to leave home. Do you have an idea as to where and how long you would stay gone? You mentioned that you are in the 11th grade. Do you have plans on continuing with your high school education? Depending on the city and state that you are located in, we may be able to locate local services that can help. Some cities have youth shelters that provide transitional housing. Transitional housing provide youth with a longer term housing option while trying to help the youth establish independence.

It may easier to discuss your options via our hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Our hotline is toll-free, anonymous, confidential, and available 24/7.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes
~NRS

[thehighlife]

need advice

My situation is that ive delt with moving and abuse and all this other stuff my whole life and i manage to only smoke pot. I think weed is a beautiful herb, and medicine that helps with depression and headaches and everything. i cant eat without it. weed is the only one here for me and i dont wanna quit. My parents are trying to put me in a rehab im already on a waiting list aparently. shesaidshe hates me and is putting me in a home for bad kids. I know i make mistakes but i get good grades and go to church, i clean my room, but a little rebelious. my dad is abusive and i have basically no freedom. This entire summer they hardly let me leave me room yet flipped out when i snook out. i hate it here and im 15 and a girl. I cant fight back when they force me to go with them to really anywhere, and when i get dragged to the car whether it be pushing me up the strairs, pulling me by my hair, or just threatening to beat me so i go on my own, all they do is lexture and tell me how im a piece of ********. But if both parents arent there, my dad will be nice and talk about weed with me, but then he quit so even though hes abusive when hes mad, he can be nice and i trusted him with a lot of stuff about myself. After he quit weed he took all my pipes and grinder and lighters and everything. Just all my weed stuff. And he told my mom all my secrets and thats where i started sit ting in my room this entire summer. all my mom does is writes a book. She neglected us 2 years ago for it and i cant trusr my dad even a little like iused to. i dont want to run because i have a little sister, and other already moved out siblings, pets, a boyfriend that has been through a lot with me, and 3 years of highschool left. But if you knew my parents you would understand. I cant involve police cause for one weed is illegal and im a kid, for two im not a snitch a dont wanna see my dad in jail. Plus if he didnt go to jail, and the cops chose their side, which is almost guarenteed when i dont have evidence, id just get my ass kicked for snitching, and probably on probation or something. ive already researched running away tips and been writing them down, but they only tell me things like bring money and have a place to go. Like i know how to run away and ive been thinking about it for so long, my problem is i need advice. Any option that i havent thought out that actually sounds good to me? my moms ready to give me up and i needa do something soon and no way in hell is rehab gonna help me, its not likeim on cocaine, weed is a drug of peace for me and honestly, i can sit and feel the spirit at church high, but not drunk or anything else. Im just trying to get out of here. Ive thought about suicide but then ill go to hell instesd of heaven. Ive asked god to take my life or to help me, but all that happens is life gets harder and im still here..living this bull********.
also can i come out of hiding once im 18?
thanks ahead of time for listening and your advice. Your all i have right now..

[ccsmod7]

You definitely have a lot going on right now. We are glad you felt comfortable reaching out through our bulletin board and telling us a bit about your situation. It sounds like things at home are really difficult between you and your parents and it seems like this has been going on for some time. You mentioned that your dad has been abusive both physically and mentally and your mom has been neglectful in the past. Now it sounds like they are trying to put you into rehab for smoking pot. Have you ever been in any kind of rehab program before? You certainly do have the right to report any kind of abuse going on in your home if that is something you would like to do. It sounds like at this point you don’t want to do that but we want you to know you do have the right to be safe.

We are sorry to hear you are going through all of this and want you to know that there is always someone here for you. While we cannot give you any specific advice on how to run away, there is always someone available to provide support, discuss options, and even find helpful resources in your area. It sounds like you have thought a lot about leaving and trying to figure out safe options. It’s good that you are thinking about all of these things before just taking off. Do you think there is anything that would make living at home a better situation? There are certainly things you do want to think about when you are considering leaving.

 Where would you stay? How would you survive on a daily basis (eat, sleep, bathe)? Do you have money or a job? Would you want to finish school?

These are just some things you may want to think about. In the end this is going to be your decision. But we want you to know that you are not alone and there is always someone available to provide support and options if needed. Even if you would just like to discuss your situation more in depth you can reach us 24/7 at our hotline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We also have an online chat that is open from 4:30p to 11:30p CST if you feel more comfortable reaching out that way. All of our services are completely confidential and anonymous. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime. Take care and be safe.

[Unregistered]

15 and 16 in a month

My mom is crazy. My parents are getting a divorce. I live with my mom Monday-Thursday and my dad Friday-Sunday. I live in the same house, and my parents switch where they live. So, when I'm with my dad my mom stays at her place witch is 20 minutes away, but when i"m with my mom my dad works 3 hours away. I cant live with my mom anymore and I've been wanting to run away for awhile now. I am afraid for her to call the police though. Is there anyway that i can leave the house and stay with a friend and not be charged as a missing person? And if i told her where i was going she would come and get me, so how do i get around that? Would it make any difference if i waited until i was 16 and was able to drive or no?

[ccsmod8]

re: im 15 and wanting to run away

Hi and thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are going through a lot with your parents right now and that their divorce and the moving back and forth is really hard on you. Is there anyone that you feel you can talk to about what you are going through? It can be hard to have so many major changes and not feel like there is any answer other than leaving. Have you ever runaway or left home before?

It sounds like you feel that your friend is a supportive person to you and it’s great that you can trust her. You asked some really great questions and although we are not legal experts, we can answer them in a general way. In most places, you are considered a minor until the age of 18. What that means is that your parents or legal guardians will have rights and responsibilities of you since you are still 15 (and even at 16 that generally doesn’t change). If you were to leave home right now and your parents were to file a runaway report, you would be committing what is considered in most places to be a status offense. What that means is that if you were to be picked up by the police, you would be returned to your parents. Your friend however, could be putting herself or her family at risk of charges being pressed for what is called harboring a runaway which is generally considered a criminal offense.

If you have other questions or want to discuss other options you have or be connected to resources in your community, we are available 24 hours a day at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat with us live from 4:30-11:30pm CST at 1800runaway.org. We hope that we were able to answer your questions and if you need additional support, please don’t hesitate to call. Best of luck,

-NRS

[chaotic]

I am 15 and i want to runaway

Hi I am 15. AND I am plan to runaway in two days I have a place to stay with my friend and I will be taking care of me and my mom don't get along because of her boyfriend she treats me like crap she always hits me when I respond to the means things he say to me and she never does anything when he talks to me to me like crap she even treats me like crap it to the point where I think I rather her not speak to me she always yelling and cursing and make me feel like crap like he does I don't have any other family and she always hits me when she's upset with me or when I'm right she wrong seems like she developing angry issues how can I runaway and not be forces to go back home by the police my education is very important to me if they take me out of class to bring me home can they even go against my will? Can they search for me even if my school might have a clue where I am at I don't want to go back home it so stressful and a bad invirinment and I have siblings and I am forced to be the mom since she is never around to take of them I can LT be they're any longer especially since today she basically screwed me over it's either I die or I leave I been dealing with this for about 6 years nd I have absolutely no more strength left to keep taking the bullcrap in

[ccsmod11]

re: im 15 and wanting to run away

We are so glad that you have reached to us. It sounds like things for you right now are really tough – and you have been dealing with them for a long time. We are about being safe, and from what you have shared with us, being at home may not be a safe place for you right now. In fact, abuse – of any kind – is wrong. Your mom and her boyfriend are making your life miserable, and the verbal abuse you are receiving gets in the way and is bringing you right down. Taking the time to think thru what your options are is awesome – its responsible and you need to be commended. One option that you always have is to file an abuse report. You can file an abuse report through a teacher, counselor, or other trusted adult (or here at NRS). Have you thought about reaching out to someone you can trust for support? Maybe a good friend – or better yet – an adult - maybe one at school that you can trust? Talking with someone you trust can be a really good way to get your feelings out, and to let others who care help you.

You had some really great questions about what might happen if you try to runaway. Although we are not legal experts, we can tell you that generally speaking, if you leave home without permission before the age of 18, your parent/guardian would have the right to file a runaway report. What that means, is that if you were found by the police, they would return you (in most cases) to your parent/guardian although cases of abuse may change that. If you want more definite answers, you can always contact your local police department through the non-emergency line to ask about laws specific to your communit.

Call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us online from 4:30-11:30pm CST. We're always confidential and anonymous. We can also put you in touch with other options and resources that may be helpful.

Take care,
-NRS

[Unregistered]

I dont want to live with this ***** of a grandmother anymore but i want to go somewhere safe with lots of money. I cant imagine living poor or in a shelter but help

[ccsmod10]

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. It sounds like you want to go somewhere safe and away from your grandmother. Unfortunately your options for living apart from a legal guardian or with a friend will most likely be a shelter or group home. Although we can understand wanting to go to a place where there is a lot of money, realistically that may not be possible. If you would like to further discuss your options, please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or by live chat at www.1800runaway.org from 4:30pm-11:30pm Central Standard Time. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

- NRS