Jekyll and Hyde 9 year old DD

[DiamondDoris]

She vacillates between loving and helpful to monster. She usually reacts when I tell her not to shout and scream while playing with her brother (this sets off his hyperactivity) or stop playing on her Wii. She has just been kicking and hitting me, she kicked me hard that I almost fell over. I tried to take her into my bedroom and to calmly find out what the trouble was. She then calls her brother to her aid and I find myself dragging the pair of them. I hate having to do this. Anyway, got her into my bedroom where she promptly pulled off the bedcovers from my bed and she grabbed a heavy ornament - I was terrifed she was going to do something with it. I know it's all attention seeking, and usually I just ignore her strops - which sometimes work - but on this occasion I couldn't ignore it as I was worried about the noise they were making as there is an elderly woman who lives downstairs. Is this a hormonal thing? Is it child bipolar? I am bipolar myself. She is often a lovely girl but when she behave like this I sometimes start shouting and shaking. She has brought me close to tears on many occasions.

I am separated from her father, who used to belittle me infront of her and not treat me with respect and treated me as one of the children - in front of her (she is his golden child) - do you think this effected the way she behaves with me?

I feel such a wimpy parent.

[LouBossGaGa]

Hi Diamond, just having a few difficulties with my 7yr DD and came across your post. I think you may have a point about yr DDs behaviour having been influenced by your ex. I, like you, try to ignore some of the more trivial incidents, however I strongly feel that at 9 if she is physically hurting you she must realise that this is completely and totally unacceptable, preferably before she is any older!

Would confiscating her Wii help? If my son ignores my requests to switch off Wii/TV/computer, then I'll count down from 5 and then physically turn it off. If I get verbal abuse (you're mean, I hate you, put it back on etc etc), then I'll ban him the following day. Anything such as hitting me then he would be banned for at least 2/3 days and also sent to his room. I have even resorted to putting it on top of the wardrobe before now!

TBH I'm sure there are others out there who can help a lot more than I, but my heart went out to you as I read your post and after seeing no responses I felt compelled to reply. Good luck and if all else fails, perhaps try to get professional help?