6yo DD oversensitive to perceived criticism

[GruffaloPants]

6yo DD seems incredibly sensitive to "criticism". It's not even really criticism. For example, if I say "please don't jump on the arm of the sofa" or "don't shove please" she can erupt into floods of tears, the odd scream etc. Today she was trying to take a photo and her dad offered a suggestion on how to hold the tablet (she had her finger over the lens) - she started sobbing and shouting.

At these times she will say she's stupid, we don't love her etc.

As parents we are fairly gentle, no real punishments, just clear(ish!) boundaries. We aren't critical. Tbh her behaviour generally is good.

She's in primary 2. Has a one year old sister who she dotes on. This has been worse over the last six months. We don't want to get to the stage of walking on eggshells - it would be good to be able to tell her to do things without thus increasingly common overwrought/upset behaviour. And I do worry about her. She seemed genuinely upset and overwhelmed today.

Any thoughts welcome!

Could she be tired or coming down with something?

My younger DD reacts like this before she gets a cold or something or if she's had too many late nights.

She might be tired today actually. Thanks. It has been quite a common occurrence for months though.

Is she getting enough sleep in general? I ask because my DD is like this when she doesn't get enough. I realised she needed more sleep than I was ensuring she got. Also, food seems to affect mine...so hunger or if she's eaten some "rubbish" food...processed cake or sweets.

Hmm, I'm not sure. She gets about 10hours. I'll see if I can get her a bit more.

No advice as such, just sympathy. My 6 yo DD is exactly the same. Am finding it a real struggle at the moment. I feel like it is partly a lack of confidence thing so am going to have a think about how we can work on that. It is really tough isn't it? She hates being 'told off' and I do say to her well if you don't want to get told off then don't push your sister, shout at people etc.

Is there anything else in her life that might have made her sensitive to criticism even in a roundabout way? I spent a lot of time in hospital when I was a kid and think I somehow reached the conclusion that being sick was my fault and that I was bad. This contributed to being v sensitive to criticism because it tapped into this very damaging view of myself.

That's obviously quite specific, I'm just making the point that there are things beyond parental influence.

It's so lovely that you want to help her with this. Mine didn't and actually made it worse