Hello,
I'm writing as a dad rather than a mum I'm afraid.
We're currently having major difficulties with our 9 year old daughter, Tilly.
Over the last 6 to 8 months her temper tantrums have been getting markedly worse.
She has always been quite strong willed, but recently it has been getting very
wearing. There are no behavioural issues at school, where she is bright and has
a close circle of good friends (all girls). However at home her behaviour
has deteriorated markefly. Very small things will set her off. Last night it
was a request to at least try some of the vegetables on her plate (she is
generally not too bad an eater and loves her fresh fruit, salads and meat). Her
initial refusal will not change, despite repeated requests. She will work
herself up into a state whereby she is completely unresponsive to reason. She
ends up sitting in the middle of the floor, shrieking and squealing. After being
taken to her room to calm down she will eventually do so, after 20-30 minutes.
These episodes are becoming more frequent, probably every week, and we are at
a loss as to how to proceed.
As far as we know she is not under any stress. She enjoys her extra-curricular
activities, Brownies, Piano (except for practicising scales), Ballet etc, There
was a brief period a few weeks ago when she thought her best friend was going
to change schools but that is no longer happening. As well as school homework,
which is generally one maths or english exercice a week, we are also working
through some preparation books for 11+, but she seems to enjoy these, more so than
school homework in fact. She also generally gets on well with her older brother,
Gus, who is 12.
Any advice would be very gratefully received.