Running Away

[Quahog]

The following is information to help you, or someone you know, deal with running away.

1 in 7 teens between the ages of 13-18 will run away from home.

If you, or your friend is about to run away, ask yourself, or them these questions.

* How can you improve your problems at home?
* What would make you not runaway?
* How will you survive?
* How will you make/get money?
* Is running away from home safe?
* Are you being realistic?
* Have you thought this over?
* What are your other options?
* If you are in trouble, who will you contact?
* What will happen if you end up hurt?






Why run away?

Teens usually run away due to:
* Behavior
* Family Issues
* Personal Problems
* Sexual Orientation
* Pregnancy
* Bad Grades
* Choice of friends
* and Alcohol/Drug issues.

Teens also runaway due to abuse. Whether it be, emotional, physical or sexual.






Signs that someone might run away.

* Away from home for long periods of time. Coming home past curfew.
* School attendance dropping. Grades are poor. School behavior is bad.
* Frequent mood swings. Disinterest with family/friends.
* Throwing/Giving away clothes, personal items.
* Making threats to family/friends, i.e.; "I'm going out and never coming back." "None of your business where I'm going."






If you want to support someone who wants to run away

* Tell them running away will not solve anything.
* Tell your parents if it is alright if your friend can stay with you for a little while.
* Tell them to talk to someone. (Teacher, Therapist). Especially, if they are being abused.






Dealing with your parents

Being a teen is not easy. There are a whole lot of changes, and new experiences. Sometimes listening to your parents, doesn't make it easier.

Here are tips to make it easier to communicate with your parents.

* Talk to your parents everyday.
* Your parents cannot read your mind. Be honest with them.
* Be patient.
* Think about what you're going to say before you talk to them.
* Talk to other family members. (Brother/Sister, Aunt/Uncle, Grandparents)
* Write a list down of things you want your parents to agree on.
* Compromise







Hotlines

United States
* National Runaway Switchboard – 1800-Runaway
* Child Find of America, Inc. – phone 1-800-A WAY OUT
* National Missing Children's Locate Center – phone 1-800-999-7846

Canada
* National Runaway Switchboard - 1800-843-5678

United Kingdom
* Runaway Helpline - 0808 800 70 70

Australia
* National Runaway Switchboard - 011-800-0843-5678

[Fiction]

Helpful thanks :) It's something i've thought about a lot in the past but never had the gits to properly do, and I agree there is little information here on it. I'll see if i can get this stickied :)

[Love.Hate]

Im glad you have posted this, as i have a friend who wants to run away from home.
I will ask her those questions and pursuade her not too. I will also give her the hotline number.
This has been really useful :D

[Quahog]

I'm so glad you all liked it. I hope it does get stickied. :)

[Fiction]

Depression, Loss and Greif :arrow: Family and Friends

[UnknownError]

Thats a really good post. (:
I've thought about running away aswell, but I doubt I would of survived for more than 20 minutes. xP

[The Madness.]

This is really helpful. My friend just ran away Tuesday night. It scares me. :/

[georgiamay]

This is really helpful. I used to want to run away, I planned it and everything. Almost did once, but my mum dragged me home from the bus stop. :P
Some good info here :)

[Skatergirl]

This is good. I've often thought about it myself, and even attempted it a few times. I've had strong feelings to in the last couple days, so I'm going to try and talk about it with someone.
Thanks.

[Fiction]

Okay. I really need to get this stickied. I've ran away twice in the last few days. This is really useful.

[Quahog]

I've ran away twice in the last few days.

Oh, that's sad to hear Kathy. I want you to take care of yourself.

[Lost n not yet found]

This is a really good post :) reali helpful

[RAWWR]

I just need some money and then i'm off. Can't wait, although i'm not sure where I want to go yet.

[Quahog]

I just need some money and then i'm off. Can't wait, although i'm not sure where I want to go yet.

May I ask why you want to run away if you don't mind? What's going on?

[RAWWR]

I just hate everything here. I don't get on with my family, everyone knows too much about me, Bad memories. I just want to go somewhere and make a fresh start.

[Quahog]

I just hate everything here. I don't get on with my family, everyone knows too much about me, Bad memories. I just want to go somewhere and make a fresh start.

I understand completely. But what you're doing is not the right choice, and you and I both know that. Have you talked to a school counselor about your problems at home?

[RAWWR]

I think it's the right choice, I will make sure I have money and a place to stay before I go, I will leave my mum a note so she knows i'm ok, and I am old enough to get a job and survive on my own.

[Quahog]

I think it's the right choice, I will make sure I have money and a place to stay before I go, I will leave my mum a note so she knows i'm ok, and I am old enough to get a job and survive on my own.

I really don't think you really thought this through. Can you imagine what your mother might feel, once she realizes you are gone. I understand you have your reasons, and your intentions, but I don't think a note is going to please your mother, she would be so devastated to see you gone, without talking to her or anything.

[Happyhamster]

Yeah - running away can b a very SCARY situation for u if you're considering it. I've heard that girls who run away are the most likely to be tricked by some guy who acts nice and gives her money (gets her addicted to and dependent upon his money) but then he kidnaps her and lets guys pay to rape her (she's used as a sex slave and she earns no money at all since she has to give all money she gets to her pimp - that's what a pimp does. A pimp forces girls (who grow up to be women he uses) to have sex with guys who believe she wants the sex. CREEEPY!! Some modeling agencies and massage places are really just a cover for pimps to make girls and women be sex slaves. So watch out for those who smile and lie.

[Crocbait230]

Ive run away its a pretty stupid thing to do
my parents knew i would come back within a week
lol i stayed out for 8 days

[xdancing_for_rainx]

I think this is some really good information. I've thought about running away before, but decided not to after thinking things through. So yeah- very helpful :)

[TheMatrix]

I was going to run away once, but I never thought it through. And then my life got happy again, so I didn't.

But some really good info there :)

[Quahog]

Just a reminder to those that are thinking about running away, 9 times out of 10, your parents will report you as missing. Police sooner or later will locate you, so it's best to resolve whatever problems you have by talking with a school counselor. If your situation is really severe, plans can be made so that you are in a different living environment.

[syd1298]

Thank you!

This really helped me solve a crisis with a friend!

Thanks :D


Please don't double post; instead edit your first post. I've merged both of your posts together. -Jon/Rafiki

[brettalex]

I have, I lasted 3 weeks on my own. My parents caught up to me though, and I was on lockdown for a year. I'm slowly starting to have a better relationship with them. The things they've put me through will always effect me, but I regret running away. It's not a good idea, even if it seems like on at the time.

[AuthorX303720]

Sometimes I want to runaway (but luckly) I don't have the guts to do it. It sorta like my bad enemy Mr.Sucide, I am a wimp to commit sucide. So this has really opened my eyes to some of my friends that want to runaway. I wil l show them this. -Thanks Sid

[shahidsaif]

i am seeking now that all are liked to this post. many thanks.

[janisj182]

it just makes it worse when you run away

[NickTheBest]

I say dont run away is stupid. i mean where u going to go like for real

[Sweet Smart Smexi]

I've found this helpful. I have thought about running away, but I just think its stupid

[musicalguyandgamer26]

Thank you for that

[Pseudogeek]

I've wanted to run away so many times but my little brother couldn't come with so I'm staying

[Aus10]

Running away, is also a chargeable crime.

[NeuroTiger]

Nicely and clearly explained!

[HotGurlMixy]

I Ran Away From Home Once.... I Came Back Soon As I Left Without Money D:

[stacy1203]

Last autumn I ran away too, it last for 2 days...yah I know its pathetic but at least I learned that running away is a stupid thing to do.

[Body odah Man]

This is damn helpful. Never thought of running away myself but many teens do so this is quite helpful. :)
Nice guide.

[Star Wolf]

Wonderful post! Will help a lot of people! :}

[AlexOnToast]

Good info...I'l try to keep it in mind in the future

[Snydergate]

I ran away when I was like 5 or so. But I didnt leave home to leave. I actually left to go to my moms work about a mile away because I missed her. But there is a large road with lots of traffic to cross so I was smart enough to turn back there. I saw a cop on my side of the road and asked for a ride home. I guess this isn't technically running away, but its something like it. My idiot dad was too dumb to not keep an eye on me.

[SciMassKid]

I tried running away. It does not solve anything.

[tyrfr]

thanks

[Babiole]

I ran away from home last October. I had a severe argument with my mother (which I'd rather not talk about) and I fled to my paternal grandparents' house, which is at least a mile away from my parents' house. I ended up spending the night there - my parents realized I was gone in the evening and then called my grandparents. I got my computer taken away for a week. I actually handled the punishment quite well, but I still regretted running away.

Please, whatever you do, DON'T RUN AWAY FROM HOME.

[Lottie]

Would it still be running away if you ran TO your mum?

[Elliott_hn]

thank you.

[Uranus]

I've never ran away.
But this is amazing detailed information!! Thx for posting this

[SethfromMI]

unless you are being abused, don't do it

[JoeDangit]

I tried running away for no reason once. I stepped out the front door, realized how cold it was, got back inside, and went to sleep.

[amgb]

EDIT: I have run away once. Recently..

[Karkat]

I ran away once. I'm glad I came to my senses.

[Let Me Be a Pony]

Ran away many times and I still do. Don't do it unless you want a really dangerous lifestyle, which I doubt you want.

[AcuteVision]

I ran away 5x first when I was 11..... It was practically useless.... I'm the oldest of my siblings and my dad referred to me experiment child...wut actually happened I wont get into (ps its a complicated relationship)

[Jaffe]

I thought of running away a few times. I was depressed, and wanted to get away from everything I knew. But it was way too much work, I couldn't even figure out how to make coffee, so I realized figuring out how to run away or where to go was more than I was capable of. Looking back, I was a total idiot to even think of it.

[Just JT]

I have run away a few times, in my opinion, all for good reasons. In every case, shit got real bad living on the streets or at someone's house, doin what I got to do for food etc sucked
In the end, long story short, it got better, I'm lot living where I used to, I am in a safe place, with cool people, and a fresh start in life, and I needed that...

All that being said, it's not something I'd recommend unless u had absolulutly no other option, it's not a good way to live, ur faced with shit ud think u never would do, and my situation was a bit unusual, so.... I'm just sayin, stay at home, work it out, cause over all, it's a rough world man, no place for kids like us....

[The Faulted]

contemplated running away from home, but then i realized, it's not my home i want to run away from.

[ptz7649]

running away was nothing I had ever considered as I'm lucky to have a loving and supportive family, but when I read the statistic at the top of the page, I was shocked... I had no idea that it was such an issue!
Anyone that was going to run away should definatly read it as it could be life saving advice

[Let Me Be a Pony]

Finest idea would be to steal your dad's car and run away.
That way, you'd get pulled over for speeding under the limits and you'd get jailed.
Instead of living outside with no money, at least you're in prison around the toughest gangsta boys. Now you just gotta pray someone doesn't own your ass in jail, or that would be very unfortunate, sugar.

[Just JT]

Finest idea would be to steal your dad's car and run away.
That way, you'd get pulled over for speeding under the limits and you'd get jailed.
Instead of living outside with no money, at least you're in prison around the toughest gangsta boys. Now you just gotta pray someone doesn't own your ass in jail, or that would be very unfortunate, sugar.
I hope ur bein sarcastic bro, if u are, cool
If not, that's the shittiest mother fuckin advice I ever heard from anyone, especially someone whose been there yourself

So I hope ur being sarcastic to the other guys like me don't take you literally

Maybe I'm just to stressed or something, if so....sorry..

[Let Me Be a Pony]

I hope ur bein sarcastic bro, if u are, cool
If not, that's the shittiest mother fuckin advice I ever heard from anyone, especially someone whose been there yourself

So I hope ur being sarcastic to the other guys like me don't take you literally

Maybe I'm just to stressed or something, if so....sorry..

Some kids actually did this, bro. Ya don't wanna know what happened to them in prison.
And yesh, it was sarcasm. I got a lot more shitty advice. If ya need me, PM me, broski.

[Just JT]

Get it
Been there
Was just sayin is all

[lliam]

I know a lot peers who thought about running away from home. The reasons for that were all very different. However, I know only one guy who really run away. He was gone for almost a year, and won't even talk to his best friends about it.



Personally, I'd never the tendency to run away.

But practically I did it in a strange way:


Instead of living with my mom and my two older siblings after the divorce of our parents, I decided to live with my dad, so I didn't have to constantly argue with my mom.


Now I think it basically was running away from unsolved probs.

[Just JT]

Some kids actually did this, bro. Ya don't wanna know what happened to them in prison.
And yesh, it was sarcasm. I got a lot more shitty advice. If ya need me, PM me, broski.

Don't think I need any shitty advice, but thanks for da ofa

And yeah, I know what happens in there...

Double posts merged. - Abhorrence.

[James Dean]

Running away isn't a bad option though sometimes. Maybe if you have an uncle or aunt or cousins somewhere that can take you in.

[Just JT]

Running away isn't a bad option though sometimes. Maybe if you have an uncle or aunt or cousins somewhere that can take you in.

If you have that option, then yeah that's a pretty safe bet if they are cool with it, but really running away, that's more like moving to a relatives house because it would eventually be known

But to live out there, idk man...

[Mattlol]

I have ran away before, 3 times for more than a couple of days. I don't have to do it anymore, and it isn't much fun, but it worked out for me, mostly anyways. but the sticky is good, and hopefully it can help someone.

[VTGEEK14]

I ran away from home because my brother use to abuse me

[Trevor.]

I ran away once for some stupid reason... I look back to that day and promise myself to never do it again. Life I'd hard but you need to keep on going. I hope people know that running away is not a solution
running away from problems never solve anything.

[EvaNL]

I think running away is not a good way of solving problems. Any problems. Running away is a result of poor cummincation, imo.
However hard it is, you should talk about them with the person you're having an issue with. Talk, discuss. In a decent, normal manner. No raised voices, no throwing things, no slamming doors. Sure, it will get emotional, but it's okay to say "I'm getting too emotional to talk right now. Let's continue later". Also, very important, listen to the other person. Try to understand what they're saying. Ask qeustions if you don't understand them.
If both/all people talk in a decent way, there will most likely always be a solution that you both/all can agree to. Don't go making unrealistic demands though.

Later in (work) life there will be many situations as well that you won't like. If you run away then, you will most likely lose your job. Talk about the issues, be the "bigger" person, try to get people on your side with good arguments. Your boss will love you for it.

[Diana2002]

A friend of mine ran away/got kidnaped/got lost since 2014, it's no joking matter

[Oscar-V3.0]

The following is information to help you, or someone you know, deal with running away.

[b][center]1 in 7 teens between the ages of 13-18 will run away from home.

If you, or your friend is about to run away, ask yourself, or them these questions.

* How can you improve your problems at home?
* What would make you not runaway?
* How will you survive?
* How will you make/get money?
* Is running away from home safe?
* Are you being realistic?
* Have you thought this over?
* What are your other options?
* If you are in trouble, who will you contact?
* What will happen if you end up hurt?


If you want to support someone who wants to run away

* Tell them running away will not solve anything.
* Tell your parents if it is alright if your friend can stay with you for a little while.
* Tell them to talk to someone. (Teacher, Therapist). Especially, if they are being abused.


Thanks for the advice, i keep this one just in case

[Allover Kelly]

Hi I have got a few emails from girls asking what it was like when I ran away from the places I was living. DO NOT DO IT!!!! I hit my low when I gave a guy a BJ for a happy meal. I was 11 the first time I ran from my Mom. I could not take it. The sexual abuse caused me to start drinking then. I never though about telling a teacher at school about what was going on. I was in and out of foster homes from when I was 11 till I found my Bio Dad and he let me join his family(Dad thank you some much) I had guy of all ages take advantage of me. I slept with guys that were nasty and gross. I sold my self to help guy that "Loved me" I did drugs of all kinds. Not bragging just the truth.
Due to what happened I was in group homes in Florida and NC. I did not know that they were just trying to help me. The State of NC found my Dad due to I was operated on for having a massive infection due to a STD and now I can never have my own babies. My case worker found my Dad. He has a real family and for the first time I have rules to follow and chores to do.

If your having a problem talk to an adult like a teacher, grandparent, aunt, your best friends Mom or uncle or even talk to a person in the local police dept. They will have someone that deal with kids.

Once more when I was on the streets I was a drunk, drug using whore. It took me hitting what is called a low. I was lucky the guy I "Loved" was a pimp and when he was busted, I was saved even if I had to tell everything he did and his friends. If they ever find me there might me huge problems for me.

Once more if your thinking of running away, PLEASE DO NOT DO IT. Find someone to talk to. Don't end up like I did for 3 and a half years. I'm really lucky that I'm still alive. FIND SOMEONE YOU TRUST TO TALK TO.

[Sheaman17]

I didn’t know that many run away

[jenjen]

No never run away i feel sorry for kids who have to do this though or feel they : (

[Beargoldenthe]

Scary

[Will..]

thank you

[Will..]

btw yo cool

[Will..]

this has been beneficial

[Librarian]

Running away from home represents much danger. The streets are more dangerous these days, and one wouldn't survive unless having been previously trained in Survival as I have. The danger is becoming dehydrated, hungry and at night, very cold and having one's life threatened by hypothermia.

I'm not 'cool', but level-headed. Having being under threat of an alcoholic father (since dead) and narcissistic mother, I learnt how to survive which is why Sis - Julie and I are close.

So stay at home and brave it out. If in the UK anyone in crisis can call Childline or Samaritans. Sorry I don't know what crisis phone numbers are for Americans.

[goodboy12ka5]

teens are teens