Warning signs that your child is considering running away

Watch Video: Warning signs that your child is considering running away by Maureen Blaha, ...
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Warning signs that your child is considering running away

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There are warning signs that parents can watch for that may indicate your child is thinking about running away. There are four that I would like to talk about. First of all, changes in their behavior. If your child is lethargic when she used to be very energetic. If your child is not eating when he used to have a great appetite. Any kind of change in behavior may be a warning sign. Second of all, rebellion. If this was a child that was willing to come home and do homework and follow the house rules, and all of a sudden, that's not the way they are not behaving anymore. That's another warning sign, that rebellious behavior. Third, if a child ever says that they are thinking of running away or they want to run away, take it seriously. That's another warning sign that you child actually has that thought. I can remember a parent saying to me once that she wants all of her children and her children's friends to put 1-800-runaway on their sneakers in case they ever did run away, they would know where to turn. The last warning sign is the accumulation of money or possessions. Again, it may be a warning sign that your child is thinking of leaving.

Watch Video: Warning signs that your child is considering running away by Maureen Blaha, ...

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Maureen Blaha

NRS Executive Director

Maureen Blaha is the executive director of the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), the federally-designated national communication system for runaway and homeless youth.  Under her leadership the visibility of NRS and awareness of its 1-800-RUNAWAY hotline has grown, while support has steadily increased in both personnel and finances. Several key accomplishments have been realized during Blaha’s tenure including: a program focused on runaway prevention called Let’s Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum; a comprehensive trend data report of crisis calls to 1-800-RUNAWAY used to educate and raise awareness about the runaway crisis in America; “Runaway Youth Longitudinal Study 2011” research that identifies the long-term effects of running away as a youth, which can be used to better educate and encourage parents, teachers and other adults to get involved, address the issues, and ultimately prevent a runaway situation; and National Runaway Prevention Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the issues facing runaway youth and to educate youth, families and the public about resources available to prevent youth from running away.  Additionally, Blaha has been a featured speaker of the Special Victims Assistance Unit for the FBI (2005 and 2010), was invited to speak to UK parliament to help launch The Children's Society of England's national Safe and Sound Campaign (2005), and represented the runaway population at the groundbreaking White House Conference on Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children (2002).  Blaha was selected as the recipient of the CASA of Cook County 2010 Spirit Award and selected to participate in the Laura and John Arnold Giving Library for high-end donors. Blaha serves on the Interstate Commission for Juveniles, appointed in 2009. 

At Risk Youth, At Risk Youth
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