How do you help a little girl who
a) has no self esteem & gets very sensitive
b) doesn't care about having friends/ doesn't need them i.e. won't speak to them when they call or join in sleep overs (even though she is popular and has friends)
c) gets extremely stubborn over things
d) refuses to go to school on some days (when she doesn't like the lessons)
e) Doesn't want to do anything but watch TV or sit on the computer
f) has violent outbursts when she can't get her own way or is provoked by older sister
This little girl is generally very loving to her mum (my sister), almost to the point of being clingy sometimes, but can be equally horrible & show no respect at times.
Looking back it started at Nursery when she was 4yrs old. She seems to have a fear of failing or making a fool of herself. It's causing my sister great distress & upset. She is a separated parent and the father offers no support or help with this problem so she's on her own.
My sister recently bought my niece a guitar so she could join the club at school. It took a long time to save up for the guitar as money is very tight for my sister but my niece is now saying she won't join the club at school and will only learn if she is on her own and someone comes to the house.
I think she tries to control my sister at every turn but my sis suffers with low self esteem & gets very down and can be quite fragile at times and she's worried my niece is going to suffer with her confidence etc.too.
The school and doctors won't offer any help so can anyone suggest any support groups, help-lines and books on self esteem for children.
I want to help so thought I'd start on MN as lots of people have such good advice to give