No one wants to image the day when they come home and find their child missing. Unfortunately, teens run away every day in the United States. While some run away because of issues at home, others suffer problems in school and in their personal lives. Watching your child gives you the chance to look for signs that he or she might run away from home.
Age Range
Do not assume that you only have to worry about your teen running away from home. Online pedophiles target younger kids and children as young as ten might contemplate running away. Your child might come up with a plan using online friends or friends from school. The same signs apply to kids of all ages.
Secretiveness
Children planning to run away from home often begin acting secretively. You might notice that your child stops sharing stories about her day, or that he refuses to tell you where he went earlier in the day. The kids often display some signs of keeping secrets, including hiding things around the house. Your teen might also pick fights or act rudely when confronted, which might indicate a future runaway.
Missing Things
If your child has a plan in mind, he will start hiding things. Look for signs of any missing items, including clothing or money. You might notice that a few dollars disappear from your wallet, or that your son does not have as many socks as he had before. You might even notice a few of her favorite things missing, such as a treasured childhood teddy bear, a favorite shirt, or a special book.
Change in Attitude
When it comes to teenagers, an attitude change is par for the course. Once your teen exhibits multiple attitude changes, he or she might plan on running away from home. According to the National Runaway Switchboard, rebellious behavior is an early warning sign that a teen might run away. Sit your child down and discuss what happened or why the attitudes changed. A student that suffers bullying at school, a fight with friends, or a broken heart might decide that escape is the only option.
Relationship Issues
Pay attention to the relationships your teen has with others. Does your child have a boyfriend or girlfriend that they keep secret? Are they spending time with a new group of friends, but refuse to introduce you? As a parent, you have the right to know who spends time with your child. An older boyfriend or girlfriend might convince a teen that leaving is the only way they can be together. When your teenager spends time with a new crowd, it might be a sign that he plans on running away.
Seeking Attention
While some teens withdraw before running away, others reach out for attention. The teen believes that he is not getting enough attention, but if you pay more attention, he has a reason to stay. Your teen might start cleaning up around the house, volunteer to help out more, and even get better grades. The signs show that your teen wants more attention and without it, he might leave. Getting your teen help at the first sign of trouble might prevent her from becoming a runaway.
Jennifer Eblin - Jennifer Eblin received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Dayton before re-enrolling and finishing a B.A. in History. During ...
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