Posted by D.S. on May 18, 2001 at 13:41:44:
In Reply to: 17 year old run a way posted by Frustrated mom on May 18, 2001 at 11:19:38:
Hi. I hope you are feeling a little better. Maybe you should read my story. LOL It's the one below yours. Anyway...Do you know what exactly your daughter is running away from? Is she having a problem within the house. Like with her Dad? Brothers or sisters? Communicating with you? Do you guys sit down and talk? Do lunch, shopping together. Maybe she just needs a little bit more attention. Does she have a boyfriend? Are things going ok there? I think the 17 year olds are very torn. They want to be independant yet they want mom and dad there as a saftey net. Maybe you could explain that this ping pong game of going between the shelter and your home is over. Maybe the next time she chooses to leave it should be made clear that she will NOT be allowed back into the house. My boys have a step dad and they have never threatened us with "we are going to live with Dad!" I think it is because I told them that if they do go...they are not coming back here. It would be a final decision they were making. ( I am too soft and I most likely would allow them back, they don't know that though! ) Hopefully she is just going through a stage and will mature a little through the summer. Is she graduating this year? Has she considered going into a military branch? She can do boot camp this summer and go right in after graduation. She could get an awesome education, be away from the house, and make all kinds of cool new friends. Good luck!