How can I get my parents to not make an issue out of something that is honestly not even a big deal?

Question

I'm in the habit of leaving the house v early in the morning to go for a run, & my parents never realised this until today when my mum poked her head in my room & saw that I wasn't there & freaked out. I'd left a note on the refrigerator, but she didn't notice it. My step dad went out searching for me, & she called my dad (who lives in LA & we're in London!) & just made such a huge production of this, which I think was unnecessary. When I came in she was SO upset. I feel v. awful for stressing her out & worrying her, I really do, but I think she needs to just calm down a bit. Don't you? I was just running, not off at a rave. I'm 16! We live in one of the safest areas, & I always carry a whistle around my neck. I run like a jackrabbit, so if anyone had threated me, I'd have just sped off. I've been doing this for over a yr at least 3x's a week & I've never felt unsafe. We didn't have time to talk it over, but she said we would tonight. How can I get them to not make this into an issue?

Answer 1

Get yourself some pepper spray for protection, it may help them feel better.

Answer 2

You need to Talk to your mom.  She is hyperventilating because of her concerns about your Physical safety.  I know you feel safe, but you might take her on your route or routes for her to see where you run at.  

Maybe you can speedwalk it together some morning.  It is easy to say you'd make a like a bunny and hop off to safety but IF someone had a weapon or just came up and grabbed you things would be different very fast.  It can happen It does happen, take a 'rape' whistle with you at the very least.  Early mornings are prime time for bad guys because most of the people out for exercise are concentrating on their run and NOT on what is going on around them.

Tell your mom you want to take a self defense class for runners.  Then find one and do it.

Answer 3

turn the situation around, make yourself sound hurt that she never payed attention to you until now.

Answer 4

LMAO!!! you are sooooooo 16 Rhiannon!! You can't fool me by your school grades, your above average knowledge, your young adult-ish good looks!!

Just let me know how far you run so that I can await near the end of your run to jump you since you ought to be pretty puffed out by then! (btw most of my victims have never lived to tell anyone that they never felt unsafe!)

It is not that important to make your parents not make this into an issue...

What's more important is.... how can you prolong the longevity of your parents life?... you do realise that stress contributes to a reduced life expectancy!

Answer 5

just explain to her today , how you like to run every morning , even offer her to get pepper spray while you are running , next time leave a note on your bedroom door

Answer 6

When do you SLEEP? When I was your age I would slept till midday in the summer! I couldn't be bothered to get out of bed for anything much less a run!

I can see their point. I got mugged in London in 97 and I'm sad to say that I don't think things have changed for the better since then. You must be very careful there.

btw, Is your name Rhiannon? I thought it was Damienne (from your art page) They're both very pretty.

Answer 7

They are just worried next time leave the note on the door of your room or something :) Make sure they always know where you are

Answer 8

They probably will have calmed down by tonight and won't make an issue out of it - they just wish you'd told them. Imagine how scary it must be to wake up in the middle of the night and realise your child has vanished!

If you always run the same route, you can tell them exactly what it is, and also what your safety precautions are. And please do listen to their concerns too - if they are worried about a particular bit of the route, even if you don't think it's an issue, see if there's a way to avoid it. You'll get much further if you show you are genuinely considering their concerns than if you dig your heels in.

You could also suggest that one of them comes with you one day (if they don't run, maybe on a bike or driving) so they can see for themselves that it is quiet and safe at that time of day.