to not want to deal with "everyone picks up on me", "it's not fair". "they say I'm in love with ". "they always get me out" "everyone jokes on me but won't join in when I joke on someone else"

[activate]

I am at a final loss on how to deal with this 10 year old hormonal freak-out and I wouldn't mind but been there done that x 2

new ideas plese

IME you don't actually need to do anything, you just have to pretend to listen. Perhaps think up a playlist of good songs in your head and just "switch one on" when the whining starts? The nod, smile, nod, smile, nod smile and perhaps say "I know dear, it's terrible, yes dear" every now and again? You know the latest world-ending crisis will be over in about 10 minutes so it's case of just riding each one out.

Just a massive hug, an "it's rubbish, isn't it? I know how it feels" and a mug of hot chocolate or whatever she/he loves.

That's what I would have wanted from my mum.

it's not true though - it's child perception - skewed, hormonal child perception

I agree activate, that's why all you can do is nod and smile. Most of that ranting is pure venting and you're just a blank canvas for the child to spew all over so all you have to do is be there.

I know it's strange comparison to draw but when I was depressed I kept going on and on about all the negative things in my life in a similar way. All I needed was for DH to sit and listen pretty much silently, perhaps nodding now and again, with the occasional hug. It actually did help a lot and I think your LO is in a similar situation (not that he/she is depressed, just in hormonal funk that needs to be ridden out).

wow that came across really patronising and rudely - at least that's my hormonal skewed perception of what you wrote there

To be fair, listening to constant negative whinging is a pain in the ass, but unfortunately you do have to listen to it. It won't last forever.

the multiple exclamation marks don't help either

WriterofDreams - there speaks someone who doesn't have a 16 or 13 year old

girl or boy out of interest ? my 10yr old DD does this, do boys do it to ?

3 boys -and yes they've all gone through it

girl not there yet

OMFG

True activate, I admit I don't have to listen to it (yet) :)

activate I feel your pain..

DS2(13) started a year ago, yep i get the 'it's not fair',the most commonly used at the mo- 'it's booorrrrrring' and 'there's NOTHING to eat' just after i've done the weekly shop..

'Tis 'Kevin and Perry' (remember them?) reincarnated into one child.. only another few years, then i've done

DD has already started on this, and is not even 9yo yet.

I do a wee bit of sympathy followed by lets do something daft/nice.

Agree that too much soul searching is not good, otherwise she spirals down in a whirlpool of woe.

"Hmm, yes darling, yes, I know. Now. What shall we bake?"*

*or - "go and watch TV and let me MN, here - have a biscuit"