Looking for a bit of advice on my 5 year old DD.
I am a single parent, split with her dad last year after he had an affair. We were married for all of her life and are now divorced.
I've noticed recently that she seems to be quite anxious about trying things and it only seems to have developed recently. Wondering if all the upheaval of her little life has contributed and how to handle this moving forward.
For example, tonight at bed time we were discussing what we would do tomorrow. I suggested maybe we could go to the park and play some football with her younger brother. Her response was something along the lines of "I don't like football, the ball might hit me and it might hurt me, I might fall over and I won't like it or have a good time". She will often say things along these kinds of lines about things she's unsure of, things she has never tried before etc.
We also tried swimming lessons but she only went to one, which she seemed to really enjoy but then would never go back because she said she was scared her face might get wet. I tried all sorts of reassurance etc but she wouldn't go. She eventually told me her dad had shouted at her prior to her second lesson and it really upset her and I couldn't ever get her to see it in a positive light again.
I'm thinking it's probably something to do with feeling insecure, uncertainty due to her whole world being turned upside down.
I don't know how best to support her, what I should say or how to encourage her to try new things without her being so anxious, or at least allow space for the anxiety whilst being supportive.
I just don't know what I'm doing with this and I'm finding it hard. Any advice would be appreciated