She doesn't know how to defend herself

[vesuvius]

My gorgeous dd - 6.5 - has great difficulty in defending herself or sticking up for herself.
It's something I don't know how to do either, so I don't know how to teach her, apart from making her watch Kemal on Big Brother. The lack of this skill has had massively detrimental affects on my whole life that I don't want to reflect on right now! and although I can talk the talk about self-rispeck I can't walk the walk. I would be so grateful for any input, as I am really scared for my dd.

[saadia]

I am like that myself and can't tell yet if dss will be the same (they are 3 and 1). At the moment ds1 does withdraw when other children appear in public play areas, but I'm not sure if this will change as he gets older.

I have decided to get him into self-defence as soon as I can. Also feel that drama lessons/classes might help increase confidence, maybe there might be some in your area.

[vesuvius]

thanks saadia, she does drama already - for that very reason - and doesn't want to do self-defence, I have asked her.

[saadia]

I suppose to some extent we have to accept their personalities but it's such a shame when children miss out by giving in to more assertive kids.

Hopefully, the drama should be helping to build up her self-esteem. I have heard others on MN mention something called Kidscape, I think they might run assertiveness courses but I'm afraid I have no details for it.

I know what you mean about being worried, in a lot of ways I hope my kids don't turn out like me. I think the main thing, which I'm sure you must be doing anyway, is to give lots of praise and encouragement for all her achievements.

Hopefully someone else will come along with more useful advice, as I feel I may be needing it a few years time.