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Illicit and prescription drug abuse, alcohol, gangs, reckless sexual
practices, volatile relationships, and school violence are just some of
the things that children are exposed to on a daily basis. Not
surprisingly, navigating this minefield is just too much for many of
them to handle. Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, with seemingly no
one who understands them or anywhere to turn, they give up. Fueled by
depression and anger and caught in a web woven of vices and risks, these
troubled teens fall into a downward spiral of destructive behaviors. In
the process of disrespecting themselves, they turn against their parents
and other authority figures and seek comfort on the streets as a runaway
child. However, what they soon learn is that their suffering has just
begun. In this arena, "promises" are actually lies and "friendships"
mere pretexts for their victimization.
If a runaway child is lucky enough to return home, the mental and
emotional scars of his or her experiences will often linger for years
and require intensive restructuring, supervision and therapy to
overcome. Parents must address these issues by seeking out a qualified
therapist for their child and stepping up the level of their
supervision. This includes monitoring of a child's activities. Parental
control software is a useful tool in protecting children from online
predators who might entice them to runaway. Appropriate household rules
and boundaries and the establishment of a system of sanctions and
incentives are additional prerequisites to behavior modification. Parent
coaching is an invaluable resource for those unfamiliar with these
concepts. However, despite such efforts, in many cases, depending upon
the severity of the situation and the individual child's needs and best
interests, help cannot be adequately provided in the home. What is then
required, is sending the runaway child to a therapeutic boarding school,
military school, or boot camp program.
Although sending a child away is a difficult decision for any parent to
make, it may be the only realistic choice. Failing to act places the
child at greater risk. Keep in mind, a lot of children who runaway away
for good, never to return, test the waters beforehand, whether
overnight, for a weekend, or on multiple occasions for increasingly
longer periods of time (chronic runaways). Once a child feels
comfortable with the streets and has a perceived support network in
place (e.g., a pimp or drug-dealer) he or she may choose this lifestyle
instead of trying to fit back into one that is complex and foreign to
him or her. As a parent, you must decide quickly upon your child's
return where you would rather he or she reside - someplace safe or back
on the streets. Be honest enough to admit it if you can't handle your
child. Remember, when your child runs away from home not only is he or
she flouting your rules as a parent, but also displaying a lack of
maturity and discipline and crying out for assistance. You are not
helping by allowing him or her to put themselves in danger again and
again. |
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Endangered Missing: LESLIE LICONA (KS)
LESLIE LICONA, Age Now: 8, Missing: 04/25/2008. Missing From WICHITA, KS. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Wichita Police Department (Kansas) 1-316-268-4111.
Endangered Missing: VIRIDIANA SANTACRUZ (MD)
VIRIDIANA SANTACRUZ, Age Now: 16, Missing: 04/12/2008. Missing From SILVER SPRING, MD. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT: Montgomery County Police Department (Maryland) 1-301-279-8000.
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