Runaway threats ‘not unusual’

RUNNING away from home is not common behaviour among children but the underlying tensions that can result in a runaway drama exist in just about every family, a psychologist has warned.

Dr Moya O'Brien, who worked extensively in childcare and now runs continuing education courses for adults, said it was not unusual for children as young as four to threaten to leave home in the middle of a tantrum and that older children who stomped off to a friend's house in a huff for a few hours were exhibiting similar traits to a runaway.

"In the case of the very young child who announces they're leaving home, the parent needs to explain that they would be very sad if the child left and that they would miss them terribly, and to get them to talk about it.