The problem of runaway children is a very serious one to have emerged in the United States in recent times. Statistics made public by the National Runaway Switchboard (an organization that takes emergency calls to help runaway kids or those children thinking of running away) show that one in seven kids falling between the ages of 10 to 18 year-old will tend to run away at some point of their teen years. In addition, the statistics also lifted the curtain on another horrifying reality by revealing that one million to three million runaway/homeless children are currently living on the streets of different US cities. There are many reasons why kids will take the extreme measure of abandoning their families and opting to live the worst kind of life on the streets. Before moving on with the topic, it is necessary to mention that most children leave their homes due to ongoing problems with their families.

Runaway Teens Set Loose

Why do kids run away? The foremost reason for kids running away is due to problems that these kids have with their families. A single argument can trigger teenagers to take drastic measures and end up in the worst kind of mess that they could ever imagine. Then there are those kids who just disappear one day without any solid reason whatsoever. Still the point of concern for adults is the fact that running away does not require any specialized skills to accomplish and any child can make a run for it at any time if the circumstances fall into one perfect fit in their heads. This move is generally reinforced by stress that might be weighing down on the young tender souls.

Specialist Runners

The behavior of runaway children can be classified into two distinct categories which are as follows:

Episodic Running Away: When a child runs away after something bad has happened, then the kid can be classified as an episodic runner. This behavior is not consistently employed by kids nor is used as a problem-solving mechanism in perplexing situations. The only reasons that have been linked with this kind of behavior is that such children run away in order to avoid humiliation or face consequences for their wrong actions.

Chronic Running Away: Kid who use running away as a weapon and as means to gain power within the family network fall into this category of teenage vagabonds. This type is problematic because it involves engaging in power struggle with the adults, manipulation, and exploitation of given circumstances to their advantage.

Teenagers have the potential to develop a romanticized view about life on the streets, when in reality the situation is dangerous at the least.

The Way Back Home

Teach Problem-Solving Skills: Teenagers who lack problem-solving skills are more likely to run away from problems and thus leave their homes for good. It is therefore essential for parents to teach their kids the basic problem-solving skills. Devise a set of problems for your kid and observe him/her solve those. Rewarding the child for success is necessary to keep them motivated

Calm All Around: Keep the atmosphere at home cool and calm that would allow you to interact in a cordial manner with your children and help you to share occasional advice with them about the mysteries of life. Practice compassion and kindness around the house.

Communicate Frequently with Kids: Parents should make it a point to check on their kids on a frequent basis. Communicating with children keeps you in the loop regarding what’s going on in their lives. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, it is still your responsibility to talk to your child on a daily basis to let them know that you care for them.