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Expert Q&A

	By Kate Cohen-Posey Therapist

Our 16-year-old son has moved out of our home after an argument with his dad. It seems like he feels he's too old to be told what to do by his parents. What should we do?

You can check laws in your area to see if this constitutes a runaway and take legal action. However, you might need a break from each other. If things have gotten to this point, it sounds like family therapy is definitely needed. The person who is most resistant to therapy may be the one who most needs to change. Even if your son is unwilling to go, it would be good for you as parents to go to find out what might be causing things to go to this extreme.

After a time away, he may want to come back. That's a good time for you all to sit down and negotiate rules.

If you take legal action to force him back home, therapy is essential. Many communities have a runaway shelter, where kids can go to a safe place, and staff begin the dialogue between the child and the parents. You might want to check out that possibility.

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