The struggles of being a teenager can be overwhelming. Figuring out who they are, where they fit, becoming independent but still needing that safety net of home, etc.
Here are a few reasons teens run away:
- Too many restrictions at home
- Stress
- Impulsive response to something
- To avoid punishment
- Feel unwanted and/or unloved
- To take a risk, try something new
- To test limits
- Fear of failure
- Parents constantly fighting
- Bullying
- To escape
- For attention
- Drug abuse
- Alcohol abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Depression
- Been told to leave
- Neglect
- Feel like they do not measure up to expectations of others
The list goes on and on. Most of the time, teens will return home on their own.
What do you do when your teen returns home? It is easy to be angry and even sarcastic when your teenager returns home. The best thing to do is to let them know you are glad they are home and safe now; that you were worried about them and that you want to talk with them about what is going on.
After things have calmed down, talk with your son or daughter. Good communication is essential in building healthy relationships.
Be calm and listen to your teenager. Find out why they ran away without demanding answers, yelling or threatening punishment. You need to work together to help find solutions to problems and make changes.
It is important to explain why running away is dangerous and that it is not something you approve of. Let them know there are healthy alternatives to handling problems other than running away. We know that avoiding problems does not solve them.
How can you stop your teenager from running away?
- Take threats to run away seriously
- Listen to your teen’s point of view before giving yours
- Work with your teen to find solutions that are a win-win for each of you
- Don’t dare your teen to run away
- Maybe spend time apart; have them stay with a relative or trusted friend for a while
- Talk about problem not the person
- Be open minded, think outside the box
- Think about things differently
- Try to empower your teen
- Listen to their feelings without judging
Your teenager and your family may need some counseling to deal with issues such as depression, substance abuse, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, bullying, gang involvement, Conduct Disorder, PTSD, thoughts of self harm, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, etc.
If your teenager is threatening to run away or has run away in the past, you may need outside help. It is impossible to watch your teenager 24 hours a day 7 days a week; however, Triumph Youth Services can. They offer a family-like setting that is secure.
Triumph Youth Services has individual, group and family therapy to help youth with a variety of issues. Call them for help.
Resources:
http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Runaway-Teen
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/parrun.pdf
