It can be rough raising a teenager. Stress and turmoil are common at this time of their lives and can lead to all sorts of issues. Many issues teens don’t want to share with parents for whatever reason. This often means acting out, with one of the more common behaviours being sneaking out.
Not only is it disrespectful, but it’s dangerous and a potential risk for all kinds of illegal or risky behaviours. Trying to stop risky behaviours without fully understanding the problem will only mean more issues. Let’s learn about three reasons why teens are sneaking out to try to resolve these issues before something goes wrong.
Sneaking Out and Poor Communication
One of the leading causes of sneaking out is a lack of communication. Before you start admonishing your child, though, recognize that this almost always goes both ways. Teens who don’t feel comfortable talking with their parents often end up feeling trapped in their own homes. A teen who sneaks out might do so simply because they don’t think you would be receptive to discussing curfews.
Fostering better communication in your home can lead to a better relationship with your teen. If your child is comfortable talking to you, they’re more likely to tell you when they get in over their heads.
Sneaking Out and Risky Behaviours Like Substance Abuse
While the causes of teen substance abuse are vast and varied, leaving the house at night goes part and parcel with the behaviour. A teen who sneaks out isn’t automatically going to be drinking or using drugs. However, it’s important to recognize that that is a possibility.
Teen rebelliousness leads to sneaking out and risky behaviours like substance abuse. It can also be evidence of greater underlying problems related to things like stress or mental health. Essentially, wanting to sneak out is just the tip of the iceberg in many cases. To get to the bottom of things, you’ll need to examine the problem from all angles and assess what your child does when they sneak out, with the potential for that to be drugs and alcohol being a possibility.
Lack of Discipline or Boundaries Leads to Risky Behaviours
There are many different behavioural problems in teens that sneaking out can be party to. While it wouldn’t be right to simplify the issue down to a singular answer or set of causes, one of the reasons this kind of behaviour starts in the first place may be a lack of discipline or boundaries in your household.
Not for lack of trying more often than not, but trying can only get you so far. If your house rules are often broken or ignored and you feel like you’re out of options, there’s a good chance you could use some help. Venture Academy is a good option at this point, our mission being to help troubled teens become who they need to be as mature adults. Our various counselling, treatment, and schooling options all work to get at the heart of issues and solve them.
When a teen sneaks out, it’s never fun for that teen’s parent. The reasons for why this might happen can vary, but hopefully, learning about these three possible answers can help you better understand your child and what might be causing their risky behaviours.
If you’re at the end of your rope and you need some teen behavioural treatment options, contact Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 to learn more about how we can help your rebellious teen get back on the right track.