What to Do When Your Teen Leaves Home Without Permission

You arrive home from the store only to find that your teen has headed to a friend's house. While your teen may simply be visiting others, leaving the house without permission can leave you feeling anxious and worried. Figuring out a healthy way to discipline your teen can go a long way in ensuring the problem does not continue.

  1. Establishing the Rules

    • Though you may be furious that your teenager left home without permission, you need to check your rule book first. Punishing a teenager who was unaware that she could not leave without permission can backfire. Writing out the rules with your teenager beforehand, in addition to the punishments for breaking each, may cause less friction between yourself and your daughter after she breaks a rule, according to child development expert with the Kids Health website. When she arrives home after leaving without permission, you need only remind her of the rule and its punishment.

    Punishment

    • If leaving without permission is not a frequent problem, restricting rights or grounding your teenager may be an effective punishment, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org. Not letting your teen leave home other than going to school or work for a day, or withdrawing privileges like use of the car or phone can also be effective. Punishments that last less than a day are usually most effective.

    Considerations

    • Issuing punishments that are too strict may leave your teenager feeling he has nothing left to lose, according to HealthyChildren.org. No matter how angry you are, the punishment should fit the crime. Preventing your teenager from attending a big school event for leaving once without permission may breed resentment and more poor behavior.

    Additional Information

    • If your teen continues leaving home without permission despite your punishments, it may be a sign that your punishment is not severe enough. Creating balanced punishments can be a challenge for any parent. Speaking with your teen's doctor, a child behavioral specialist or a teen guidance counselor may give you more insight into effective disciplinary measures. Consistency is also important when it comes to disciplining your teen for leaving without permission. If you sometimes cannot carry out a punishment, your teen may have little reason to follow your rules.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Programs for Troubled Teens in Minnesota
      Finding help for a troubled teen is a daunting process. The stakes are high, your familys happiness, your childs future, and the fear of doing the wrong thing can be paralyzing. A few Minnesota-based programs offer hope to at-risk, troubled teens and
    • Disciplinary Boot Camps for Kids With Behavioral Problems
      One of the treatment methods available for children with disciplinary problems is boot camp. When a child has disciplinary problems it can be very hard for a family to cope due to the disruption and anxiety such problems lead to. When traditional out
    • Who Can Watch Your Teen While You Go Out?
      If scenes from wild house parties -- either from your own past or from movies youve seen -- flash through your mind every time you consider leaving your teen home alone, perhaps your teen needs adult supervision during your extended absences. Explain