my dd 8 yrs old goin on 16!

[snoopy2]

My 8yr old dd is a dream most of the time but over the last six months has become very argumentative, answers back and has scratched dh. She is an only child and as bright as a button but think she is getting too big for her boots! She started year 4 today and started stropping out in her class cos her plimpsols were too big. Anything and everything is an arguement - she even shouted at her shadow once! I have tried the naughty stair/no pocket money/ tv ban/ early to bed and have really shouted which upsets me much, much more. She knows I am abit soft and most of the summer holidays were spent rowing! I am at my wits end because i just do not know what to say to her. Lately i just get so upset and angry i tell her to just go away which of course sets her off crying then i get more upset and I don't really know what the best way forward is!

ps she has flame red hair!

Poor you. Have you read 'Raisng Girls' by Steve Biddulph? I've only got boys, but I have read that equivalent, and it answered a lot of thsoe types of questions. Also, I know it sounds a bit daft, but a freind went through this with her 8 yr old, and because she was a nurse, took note of the dates, and it was coming around the same time each month - sure enough, just after she tunred 9 perios started - I wonder if it could be hormonal? V best of luck and sending you a hug,

hi Krythia, you know i was 11 when my periods started so it may well be connected, thanks. Sending hugs back.

my dd1 is 8.4 and we have been having the same things from her for a while now.

We have done all the banning of things she loves and the only thing that really seems to work is ignore the bad stuff and over praise the good oh and don't get into an arguement as you will never win even when you think you already have.

My dd is 8.7 and we have a lot of the same - flouncing, stropping, screaming and attitude. I think it is a combination of hormones and testing boundaries, they're at that stage of not being infants any more but a bit scared of what they're becoming IYSWIM?
My dd said the other day, after an appalling day of tantrums and tiaras, "I just don't feel like myself any more". My gameplan at the moment is very firm boundaries with lots of love and positive reinforcement, but it's bloody knackering.

yes, my 9 year old dd has been like this for some time. nobody told me about the pre-teens

so glad to read i not alone my 9 year old is driving me crazy with tantrums moaning and being angry at everything. had really bad couple of hours so it felt good to read this

Hi there, have had bad day. DD not particularly naughty but I lost it and said something really awful. DD now asleep in bed, but dh said she just walked away with her head down after i had said the horrible thing to her. I Just Snapped. I was in the middle of showing dh something really silly and trivial but dh kept interupting. big row with dh, dd thinks i hate her, now i feel like a big horrible ogre.