Hi there - I am hiding upstairs in my office, drinking a lager and weeping. Since my daughter turned 8 she has become increasingly negative. Year 3 is turning out to be much harder for her in terms of work, especially maths, and she feels she is falling behind, which I think may be the cause of the problem I am about to describe...
Since the queen died (!), but really since the start of year 3, she has been talking about death in increasingly favourable terms. At first it was, 'that wouldn't be so bad', and then tonight (highly dramatically, after I gave her a compliment), she waved a craft knife about that we were using for a making session, and wailed:
'Oh god no! I know, instead of killing other people, I'll kill myself! Now that's exciting!'
It really spun me out. These sorts of comments are a weekly, sometimes daily occurence. But they went away during half term.
At school she seems socially able, doesn't seem to be being bullied, has plenty of friends (although no bestie, which I think she would like), and she is doing okayish at school. I have told the school, who say they will keep an eye on her and may give her with a mentor. But I haven't told her Dad (not with him), who is an absolute emotional clutz, because I don't want him interfering and making things worse. However, I'm scared he will find out somehow. Anyway I am finding it all very stressful and distressing, and wondered if anyone else has experienced this sort of behaviour? Thank you!