My son has runaway

[Wario54]

My son has runaway from home. We had an argument this morning because he didn't want to go to school and he stormed out.

He is 10 (almost 11). The school called me and told me he hadn't arrived. I've tried calling and texting him but had no reply. I've called the police and they are out searching for him. His Dad and sister are currently driving round the area (and friends houses etc) in the hope of spotting him. I'm going out of my mind with worry 😭 he's never done this before.

Don't twist your ankle whilst you're jumping to a whole load of assumptions.

He's in year 6. His final year of primary school and will be going upto secondary next year. The primary school is a 10 minute walk from the house. Plenty of kids in his year do the same journey everyday

The school called me at 9.30 when he hadn't shown up. I tried calling and texting him then but got no reply (I can't tell if he's read my texts but his phone just rings out, I've left voicemails). So I called the police soon after. They took his details but said to wait in case he turned up after school. He didn't so they've been out searching since then.... I'm so worried 😟

Good idea about the class WhatsApp group.

Do you think this kind of commenting is of any use at all? Do you think it's comforting or reassuring the op?
Back off!

Where we live in Scotland kids in year 3 and above are allowed to walk home alone. Many also take a school bus to and from school

In what way do you think your comment is helpful to the OP at the moment?

Aside from being ridiculous (it is common for 10 year olds in the UK to walk to school, and in certain European countries it is mandated from 6 years of age!), it is such a horrible thing to say to OP when her child is missing.

Please ask for your comment to be removed.

Don’t try and twist my words! I never ‘victim-blamed’ anyone! I merely asked a question!
10yr olds (including my own) certainly do not walk places on their own routinely, that’s just silly. This isn’t a ‘being right’ competition. People can ask questions ffs it’s a forum.

OP, is there a place you take him to at weekends or on school holidays where he might think would be a warm place to go, ie, any clubs, sports halls, etc.?

I DO hope you find him tonight, he's probably as scared as you are by now.

Thinking of you, OP. Hope he turns up soon

It’s not ridiculous at all. Like others have said in less than a year he’ll be expected to get to secondary school and home again by himself. I’m assuming his current school is local. Stop being so harsh.

Could you try phoning him and withholding your number?

It's almost like you didn't read a single word of the OP.

Firstly, is this a helpful response on this particular thread, and secondly it is really really normal for 10 year olds to walk to and from school. There are really not many abductions of children in the UK at all. It is very rare and would be very hard at school time as the roads tend to be busy.

I imagine you’re going out of your mind with worry. Presuming all friends houses have been tried, bus stations/train stations, supermarkets, parks, etc, and that his friends are also trying to contact him.
wishing all ends up well.

You’re being ridiculous. And unkind. It’s very normal for year 5&6s. I know a year 4 who is allowed but they do live very close. School allows it from year 3 but I don’t think anyone actually does, not that I know of. But it’s very normal.

Definitely ask on the group Whatsapp it's very unlikely he hasn't been in touch with any of his friends if he's been gone all day.

I do hope you have someone with you as a listening ear and to help keep you distracted whilst they search.

I genuinely think you need to shut the fuck up. Unhelpful and unnecessary.

Oh gosh op

Keep us updated, I will keep him in my prayers. May he be safe and never do this again!

❤️

Why is asking a question a horrible thing to say? I live in a beautiful, well to-do and safe part of the country yet it absolutely is not normal to see 10yr olds walking on their own - hence my question! I wondered if there was a specific reason ffs. Do NOT tell me what to do.

Can we not feed the troll/got to be contrary MN user and focus on ideas for the OP.

OP as others have said your local Facebook groups will work wonders. Ask the police about their town centre network if you are near a town. They should have good reporting lines into shops around shoplifters (text alerts etc), so may be able to spread awareness via these channels.

What was the reason he didn’t want to attend school?

His best friend house, where he plays with friends, family members back gardens etc…

Hopefully he’s found soon and all this stress and worrying will be over x

Honestly, fuck off

Or ask one of his friends to call the the number?

Could you get one of his pals to phone him in the off chance he is avoiding your calls?
Hope he turns up soon OP. How very worrying for you x

Could you maybe shut up?
Have a smidge of compassion for the op maybe?

I walked to school on my own from aged 8 sometimes, always from aged 10. And not even vaguely on the same street.
The ops child is missing. This isn’t an app space for you to spout hyperbolic nonsense and excessive punctuation.

Do not tell me what to do. Anyone can ask genuine questions, it’s a forum. Stop being abusive please.