Most of the time when we talk with parents whose children have gone missing, we encounter a significant difficulty… The parents, in reality, do not know their children. They simply coexist under the same roof but are unaware of what is happening in their child’s life, what is troubling them…

The lack of communication greatly contributes to the child’s low self-esteem, which leads them to choose escape as a way of dealing with their problems. It is also characteristic that, often, children run away from home with the subconscious aim of getting their parents’ attention or punishing them for their indifference.

For these reasons, parents, remember:

• Talk to your child. Ask them simple yet meaningful questions, such as how their day went.
• Observe your child’s behavior and identify any changes. Often, it’s not just “adolescence” that causes these changes.
• Get to know your child’s friends. Find out what they like to do in their free time. Learn where they like to go.
• Avoid criticizing your child’s behavior and thoughts. Find other ways to offer advice.
• Sometimes, for the child, it’s enough to simply know that you’re there to support them.
• Don’t let your child act without limits. Set boundaries.
• Find practical agreements—a “compromise”—when your opinions differ.
• Express your own feelings to your child honestly, on all matters.
• Evaluate situations before they escalate into crises.

Remember, the mission of a “good” parent is to prepare their child to live independently.