How do I keep my teen from sneaking out at night when I'm asleep?

Question

I can't stay awake 24/7 !

Anybody seen the movie "Misery" (or read the book)? Should I 'hobble' her to keep her in the house? (only kidding about that)

But I'm serious about the other question.....
anybody else have this problem before?

thanks everyone for all the advice! I'm taking it all in. Though she's only 13 years old, I believe I will resist the urge to lock her up... it's not actually logistically feasible anyway. I told her if it happens again I WILL call the police. I'm hoping this will scare her straight... for a while anyway.
You are right, timko... about the payback. I used to sneak out of the house when I was 13 too. But I did it to play tennis in the middle of the night with my (girl) friend. My daughter snuck out to meet up with her BOYFRIEND. That's a whole 'nuther can o worms. Yep. It's all been fun and games up until this point. Now I have to do some actual parenting. ugh.

Answer 1

If you are having trouble with your daughter sneaking out of the house to meet her boyfriend, the first step I would take would be to contact the boyfriend's parents about the matter. Second, which this might sound silly, go to a craft store and buy jingle bells, the round type and tie them onto the door handle. The noise might wake you up in time to confront your daughter. There are also a device that sounds when the magnetic alignment between the door and the door jam is broken. They cost around $7.00

http://www.wideopenwest.com/~bigherms/SelfDefense/windowdoor.htm

The above site is an example of such an alarm

Answer 2

Have her read some wake-up books, like Reviving Ophelia (written by a social worker about her cases) or It Happened to Nancy.

In Reviving Ophelia, there is a story about a girl who sneaks out of the house to meet a friend, only the friend wasn't at the movie theater as she usually was, and the girl wound up getting gang-raped. This was a true story from the book. It's actually a very sober but gripping series of case studies and gives a general account of how the social worker handled each case.

Answer 3

you should sit and talk to her about it. Mabye she feels like you dont give her enough "breathing room" or "freedom" This is very common however. Mabye if the two of you sat down together and discussed what is going on at night that she has to sneak out, that she cant wait until daylight. If things are very serious, and causing great danger to herself than there are always alarms that can be put on the doors/windows if called for.

Answer 4

I had the same problem with my mom when I was a teenager. I kept sneaking out... My mom literally slept in my bedroom with me to make sure that i could not leave without her knowing.... she did this for about 2 months (we were both stubborn) before I finally gave in and promised not to do it again. I really hated my mom sleeping in my room and did not want that to happen again so I actually did quit sneaking out. Pretty desperate I know but it did truly work.

Answer 5

Get an alarm system on the house (including windows) and setup a nighttime password that only you know. Sleep in her room. Make sure she has no access to funds or transportation (obviously you can't control someone else coming to pick her up but you can control what's happening in your house.) Install motion detector lights around the outside perimeter of your house - so you can see who it is that's coming to meet her (if anybody). Other than that, just severe consequences when you catch her.

Answer 6

Put A set of Loud Bells on a string (the decorative kind from xmas time works well) or make your own ... Put these on every door in the house hang them from the doorknobs of each door...Or Try using very loud Windchimes above each door so when the Door Opens /Closes you can Hear it..This is if you cant afford an alarm system of course..

Answer 7

teen sneaking night asleep

Answer 8

Put an alarm on the window? Put an alarm of some sort on the door? I'm not really sure. My dad always put the fear of God in me so I never had the nerve to sneak out.

Answer 9

First any attempt to lock her in is a felony offense called false imprisonment. Second if a fire breaks out in your house and she can not escape guess who will be doing some prison time. Talk with her, there is really nothing you can do that is 100%, it's best to mend your relationship with her and gain her cooperation.

Answer 10

My sister and I snuck out every night while my mother was asleep, She tried everything from pouring freezing water on us while we were asleep, grounding us to our bedroom for weeks at a time(was only able to go out of the bedroom if we had to use the restroom), beating the crap out of us, sending us to a girls ranch, calling the cops on us, putting us on probation. Nothing worked, she even tried the d-home!
It might work for you try talking to a probation officer and see if their is anything you could do....
I know it has to be hard i look back and i feel so bad for putting my mother through so much and soon your kid will realize how their hurting you and the pain they will feel is much worse than anything..