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Home › Articles › Self-Destructive Behaviors › Preventing Runaways

Preventing Runaways

Keep Your Teen From Becoming One of the Thousands That Run Away Each Year

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

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Warn of the Dangers

Explain the dangers of running away. Although most teens will come home after a short period of time on their own, there are some that do not – or cannot. "Use news reports of runaway children as an opportunity to teach ahead of time how serious and dangerous running away from home is," Dr. Coleman says. "Don't worry that you might give your child ideas he otherwise wouldn't have – you won't."

Share how you feel about running away, he says. Use statements such as: "Most kids don't run away from home, but when they do, it is often because there is a serious problem at home, and the child does not believe he can talk things over with a parent. I want you to understand you can always talk to me. And I want you to understand that running away is very dangerous."

When a teen threatens to run away it may not be in spite, in anger or in retaliation – it may just be the only solution the teen can find for an undisclosed problem. Talking about the reasons why a teen may want to leave the security of their home may offer insight into how to keep them there – safe and sound.

"If your child does bring up the concern, take it seriously and empathize when appropriate," Dr. Coleman says. "Knowing the underlying cause of the situation leading up to the want to run away from home can help a parent prevent it from happening."


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