Depression/pessimism in a 7 year old?

[marykat2004]

We have just had a lovely day. A nice museum trip, a peaceful family dinner, then packing up some of the Christmas stuff.

We have been struggling with bedtime routine, well, forever really, and had just made a new list for bed time routine and followed it. We've been a bit late and out of routine over xmas so we were trying to get back in the swing of things before school starts on Thursday.

We had a slightly long bedtime story as we were really enjoying it.

Then, after the story, for no particular reason, DD decides to kick off about not liking the present her cousin gave her for xmas. (ok now re-reading this I remember it was because her cousin age 5 got the same book for xmas, from a family friend, that DD got. I thought she would like that idea but instead she obsessed about who got the present first. Then she got upset about not liking the present from her cousin.)

This is not the first incident of negativity from DD, it just was particularly poignant as the day had otherwise gone so well.

DD would not stop complaining about this xmas present (which was on her list by the way). I tried to steer the subject into something pleasant, so we would not end the day on a sour note. But DD persisted in getting more and more worked up at her disappointment over this present and more up set the more I tried to talk about pleasant things.

Further examples of what I am calling pessimism:

1. Asking on New Year's Da what was the worst year of my life. Instead I chose 2 of the best years.
   

1. If we do anything at all, DD will always pick the one part of the event or of the day that went wrong. She really seems to only focus on the negative. And nothing is ever good enough for her. I am really trying hard not to be like that myself. I think maybe my mother and DH are a bit negative, especially my mother. She seems to find things to wind herself up about.
   

Does anyone else have pessimistic 7 year olds? It is one of many things that worries me. We are awaiting a child psychologist appointment anyway, as DH is chronically ill and this perhaps is affecting DD.

I just wondered how common that is, the pessimism thing. Or was she just trying to get my attention so I wouldn't leave the room?

[marykat2004]

Thanks, I have copied to a word document.

I spoke with CMHS before xmas, I wonder how long until I get an appointment. It took ages to even track down their correct phone number.

[cestlavielife]

Please print your post (and all your other posts) to hand to the psychologist . There are lots of things going on that will for sure be impacting your dd.
And this behaviour cld indeed be her way of manifesting.
Hopefully she will get a safe place to talk about all her feelings and the CAMHS team will support you too and give you some strategies.
It won't be quick fix but some regular sessions and in a few months hopefully things will be clearer you will get some good ideas of how to handle things as parent and also you will have support in place should your h get sicker or worse good luck it won't be easy but you are doing right thing seeking help.
Don't expect instant fixes but hang on in there