You’re having problems communicating with your teen. You sometimes fight about school, household responsibilities or friends. Maybe you’re a single parent and you need someone to talk with about issues you may be having with your child. It’s possible that your child has run away, they are threatening to run away, or they’ve run and have decided to return home. You’re concerned, confused and you need help. The National Runaway Switchboard is here for you.
We know how hard parenting can be today. Oftentimes, parents feel overwhelmed by their situation, or, despite their best efforts they feel that others blame them when their child is out of control. There is no shame in seeking help and talking things out. Sometimes an outside party will have a different perspective on the situation. And, it's okay if you just need to vent. There can be a lot of pressure and frustration at home and it's healthy to call and tell us how you're feeling.
We'll talk to you and, most important, we'll listen to you. We will ask questions about the nature of your situation, relationships with the people in your house, what actions you have taken, and details about communication patterns. Some of these questions may seem personal, but they help us understand what led you to call us. In addition to assessing the relationship between you and your teen, we may ask you to look at the impact this situation is having on other family members such as siblings, the other parent or step-parents. Understanding the whole picture will help us help you. We are non-judgmental and confidential, so you don't have to worry about feeling guilty about what you're experiencing.
Message Relay
Open the lines of communication using our message relay service.
Bulletin Boards
Post your questions, thoughts, and concerns about what it’s like to be a teenager or a parent. This forum offers parents an opportunity to share thoughts, ask questions, and learn about resources to help with parental issues.
Home Free
Thanks to our Home Free program, in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc., more than 13,000 youth have been reunited with their families free of charge.