Feel like I am failing as a mother. DD who is 9 - nearly 10 is just such hard work at the mo. Constantly going off in sulks at the slightest thing, falling out with friends left, right and centre, "back chatting" especially to me - all of this I think is on the verge of being normal for a 9 yr old. Am I right?
What I know thats not normal is something we have discovered today while her father was visiting. She has a good relationship with her Dad but often stretches the truth I think to gain attention from him as she only see's him once a week for a couple of hours - while they were out today in the park, she told them that apparently she has started self harming, when he told me I was shocked and found it difficult to believe as I thought I would of picked up. When we questioned her on it - she said that she had been using cocktails sticks to prick her hands and has been punching the bed and herself. We had a long talk with her and have decided to seek a counsellor for her even if we are slightly dubious about whether she is telling the truth, the fact that she is even thinking about this is very concerning.
Just before she went to bed, she was gripping and wringing her hands because she said she was "angry" and when I asked her to stop doing it and talk to me, she spat in my face and refused to say goodnight to me.
I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience in this - would really appreciate any advice.
Many Thanks