Running Away Young

[Guest]

Before I write anything I would like to say that I am 13 and have been wanting to run away from home ever since I was 5. I have a question, if I run away and the police or someone finds me do I have to go back to my parents? Also, what should I pack? What are good places to start a new life? I am terrified to death of my Mom. I feel like I am a failure and I have been thinking of giving myself scars. Me and my Mom have gotten into arguments and she has cussed me out and she pressures me to be an extra credit straight A+ student with the perfect life, body and smarts. I want to run away and live with my grandmother but that is where my parents would look. I am scared and I have been thinking about running away for a couple years now and am thinking of seriously doing it. I need to get away from my Mom; she makes me feel like I am not a true human being and I should not be here. My Mom makes me feel like she hates me and I am terrified of her. My Mom also controls my life and I have lied every day to her non-stop so she would not suspect a thing. If I do anything it must be done with her permission and she must do it herself. I want to run away very badly but am also scared of doing so. My Mom has also blamed me for things she has done and shames me in front of people in public. I really need some advice to what I should do and how to handle this.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there!

Thank you for reaching out to us today! We understand the bravery it takes to do something like that at your age. It must be stressful to have been dealing with this issue for such a long time, and we're sorry that you have to carry that burden. In answer to your question: if you runaway and your parents file a runaway report it is likely that the police will take you back home. This varies from state to state, and we aren't legal advisors, but you will need to keep that in mind if you do decide to run away. It hurts us to hear that your Mom makes you feel such pain and such fear, and we understand why you want to get away from that situation. We also understand why you're scared to run away: that's a big decision and a lot to consider. You will need have a safe place to go and you'll have to have a way to get there. You'll need to eat and you'll probably need money to get all of those basic needs covered unless someone is helping you. You said that you want to run away to your Grandmother's home but you know that's the first place your parents will look; it may be helpful to share these feelings with your Grandmother. You seem close to her already and she might be able to help you come to an arrangement with your Mom. We don't know if you've tried this already or not, but other potential options are to reach out to a friend, or a friend's parents, or a teacher or counselor at school that you trust. Also, you can always reach out to us like you did when you posted this forum. We're here 24/7.

If you would like to talk in greater detail, we can be reached 24/7 online at www.1800runaway.org or via phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Take care and stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I am going through something simular, Im thirteen and am currently living with my mother, reccently she saw messages of my cursing and she was angery and started hitting me and hiting me with the belt. Is it displine or is this abuse because im confuse and this isn't the first time when i was younger I didn't know how to answer a question and she choked me untill i answered it (i lied bcs i sill didnt understand) Im sos scared i wanna call cps and file a abuse report but i need to be away from her while they handle this what if she hurts me and they think that im lying because all i do to her is lie because i am scarred of her, but everytime I tell her that she goes "you wouldn't lie if you were scared" Oer what if they believe her over me and I get placed back with her because shes my legal gardian. I want to run away but i could get caught and arrested, I am not of the age to get a job, and how will i enroll myself into highschool?