Why has my normally lovely 7yo DD turned MENTAL recently?

[AngryFeet]

She has always been such a quiet calm child. But in the last month she has become hyperactive. Always acting "silly" and showing off, winding up her younger brother so he gets hyper too, lying, telling tales, getting over emotional, being naughty and then saying she doesn't know why she does it but apparently she can't help it. If she were a couple of years older I would think it was hormones but she was only 7 in Sept.

She is driving me completely insane! No change in diet, no apparent problems at school, everything is the same as it was.

Any ideas? Please god let this be a passing phase! My patience won't be able to tolerate much longer!

Does sound like a phase. We have the "reception voice" at the moment- called such by me and my neighbour as both of our boys have taken to using a silly voice when playing/just being at home. They sound ridiculous and silly but it seems to be very much part of where they "are at", so think it just has to be survived . It is a silly voice that grown ups can't understand with very bad pronounciation coupled with a load of 5 year old boy nonsense. Fun...

I experienced this with a previously very well behaved 7 year old DD too. Then someone mentioned the 'stroppy sevens' and so I did a little research online and apparently its normal and will pass. Stroppy Sevens. Unfortunately I fear there is worse to come when they hit 12, but forewarned is forearmed and all that!

Totally with you on this. My six about to turn seven year old starting to change and becoming good at the old 'backchat'. Together we have taken a firmer approach to challenge this uprise!! eg started to lose toys for a while or put to room for short period of time. That said its important that you pick your battles though because you don't always want to have a bad atmosphere. Also allow them to have a chance to get something back if they change their behaviour or really sorry. Eg they lose their dsi for a day (which should stand) but you offer to play short board game with them later. This will give quality time together, a chance to talk and maybe discuss things with them at a nicer time. Just some of the things that have worked for me.