Very stressful ! I would have done the same it shows you care.
My now 10yr old foster daughter ran away a total of 8x, the first time when she was 8yrs old ! The first time she was found and brought back by police and it was shared in the news and social media which was a very reinforcing experience for our girl. All the following times she returned on own initiative and didn’t stay longer away than 2,5 hours. Still when you consider her age it is very concerning and not safe. I had a chat with the police and they want me to contact them as soon as I miss her, they made up a file of her and she’s top priority.

You did the right thing by calling the Police, it shows you care. They all try it on. Just let him know your door is always open and usually they find out the grass isn’t always greener else where. Good luck.

Oh dear, how awful. I was a regular runaway as a teenager, I always returned home though. My parents no doubt have lots of grey hairs inflicted by me and my teenage years

My daughter threatened to move in with her boyfriend when she was 15. I said I would report him for underage (he was 18) that stopped that. But she still wouldn’t come home, so I sorted a compromise. I found someone fir her to stay with that we both approved of. This worked fine, she ended up sorting her problems and was home in 6 weeks

Yes! It does sound like a horrible situation for you! I hope it works out!

I was one of these. I grew out of it. Sometimes, tough love is the only way to stop the bad behaviour. It’s hard and things could go wrong, but it’s also hard to keep watching it happen.

i can’t imagine having to deal with this although I’m sure it is coming

My mum had the rule be back by 10pm if I wasnt going to be home I had to call and let her know by 9pm and let her know where I was staying…. It’s not so much about going against the parent as it is just wanting more freedom and space to choose there own path…. Guide the way, don’t pave the path..

great answers from all the mums though
what a situation. love him- he will appreciate this one day when he is older

I would of let him go and just hoped he was ok, kids do need to learn what real life is all about, if he isn’t doing drugs and his friends live at home, then he would of come home when his friends parents put a stop to him staying there

You’re a mum and you were concerned about your child. How could that be wrong? I’m amazed that they can’t be made to come home as they are a minor.

It think you did the right thing in protecting your child. But in the long run, you need to sort out the problems and bring him home without him wanting to run away all the time.

how did it all go in the long run?

Hopefully things have settled down for you, it’s such a difficult time but I still believe that trust goes both ways and its always best to have an open and honest relationship!

I don’t have a teen yet but I do remember doing this as a teen… My mother and I came to the agreement that I had to me home at midnight and if I wasn’t coming home I had to call by 10 and let her know where I was staying…. It worked wonderfully…. Good luck

Gosh this is a horrible situation for you.

Looks like most would have done the same thing.

Teenagers are tricky, but you did the right thing. For vareous reasons teens seem to feel picked on etc, I think arranging a friend for your teen to stay with was one of the best things. Something i sugest would be sitting down with your teen and having a chat about why they left. was it that they didnt feel safe, or the felt picked on at home. have a calm reaction, and promise to hear them out without an interuptions or judgements. Then ask them to hear your side of the story without any interuptions, then address eachothers issues.
also ss a social worker who works in child protection, and problems teens I reccomend setting up a ‘safe place’ with someody who you trust, that your teen can stay with for few hours, or overnight occasionally when things get too hectic at home. Sometime going to stay with another adult who has a different perspective on life, can do a world of good for a teen. and it will feel good for the teen to know that they have somewhere to go to take a break from their parents, and know they arent making you mad. This can be hard, but sometimes teens just need space. Its when they are away from you that they learn o appreciate you for all that you do for them. and respect when you ask them to stay.

Such a tough one hope it’s all sorted out.

I hope things have gotten better