Many parents may have received a note from their children, at least once in their lifetime, saying, “I’m leaving the house and I’m not coming back.” Most children, from the age they can walk and talk until their early teenage years, often leave home. Cases of runaway children are not an uncommon phenomenon.
Playing the blame game and holding family or child responsible is unwise. Most of the time, the fault doesn’t lie with anyone. Circumstances involving family problems, financial trouble, social pressure etc often lead to conflicts. The result is unhappy children who run away and unhappy parents who try to bring them home.
Children run away from their homes for varied reasons. Restricted freedom because of strict parents may cause children to leave home and seek adventure outside. Sometimes, sibling rivalry also leads to one of the children running away. Jealousy, feeling of being neglected, and loneliness can also be a cause for children leaving their home.
Even the most loving and understanding parents may have to deal with a runaway child at some point. Therefore, the next important step is how to deal with the situation once it has occurred.
Try to stay calm
It is difficult not to panic and lose your mind when your child has run away. But remember that he or she is young and clearly disturbed to have taken such a drastic measure, so one of you has to think clearly. And it has to be you because you are the adult, after all.
Be alert and aware
Inform the necessary people once you have discovered that your child has run away. The police station, close family members, friends and anyone who can be trusted to help you find your child.
The right attitude
Once you know where your child is, don’t expect them to come back immediately. Threats, pleas, commands won’t work. Let them know that they won’t be punished for leaving home. If they won’t talk to you, ask their best friend to intervene.
Proper communication between parent and child can help a lot in solving conflicts.