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is my dd screwed up by history of dv etc or am is she just normal? sorry possibly pfb!!!

9 replies

humptydidit · 11/03/2011 17:06

Basically i left ex h just before christmas after many years of emotional abuse which was becoming more volatile and physical. I tried hard to make sure we didn't argue in front of kids but I know they still hear it and pick up on it and ex's attitude was always "life's a bitch and the sooner they learn the better!" which I totally disagree with as my oldest child is now 6.
Anyway, fast forward to now, we have moved out and moved miles away back to where my family are. I have got us a house and kids are in new school etc with lots of family support.
Kids only see ex 1 day per month as he is in north of scotland and we are in south of england and also cos he doesn't seem to give a toss tbh.
dd (age 6) went to play with new friend tonight at her house. she just came back and the friend's mum said dd was very quiet while she was there and cried when she got there because she missed me apparently. other mum seemed a bit embarassed like it was her fault. also dd didm't eat anything she was served for tea. I just brushed it off saying she's quiet anyway and v tired - it was her birthday yest.
Is this normal behaviour for a kid that age or does it seem that the whole break up etc has messed her up?
she saw her dad on weekend and since then has spent every night with me in my bed which she had stopped doing also and all she has said about day out with her dad is that daddy got cross.
apologies for mamouth postBlush Blush please tell me if i need to get her some help or is she just normal shy 6 year old

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tuftedduck · 11/03/2011 17:28

Your DD is the same age that mine was when I left my ex in similar circumstances. She behaved exactly like yours is doing - the whole separation anxiety, missing her mummy thing. We are 4+ years down the line and the same anxiety seems to creep up on her now and then because she still feels abandoned by him. My DD is also at her most anxious just before and after she sees him.

I don't think that your break-up will have messed your DD up, but she probably is still adjusting to the new circumstances. All you can do is reassure her that you will always be there for her.

There are some charities that can help - the school nurse might be able to tell you if there are any in your local area.

humptydidit · 11/03/2011 18:06

thank you tufted didn't know if i was over reacting, i am just desparate for her to be ok now not to bury it inside too much and for it to all come out later!!
Blush

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QueenofWhatever · 11/03/2011 19:09

My story is not dissimilar and my DD is 6, we left 18 months ago. We've recently started seeing a child and family therapist as DD started having, well for lack of a better word, outbursts.

She's now been able to tell me two things that have been hard to hear, but made things much better. Firstly she feels that it is her job to make me happy, more importantly not to tell me that she is upset or sad. Secondly she is scared of getting upset because she thinks I will be angry with her if she gets upset. This is beacuse her Dad would get very angry with me if I got upset or didn't agree with him.

Hard stuff to hear as a mother, especially as part of the reason I stayed so long with her Dad was because she adores him so much. (The other reason is that he would not let me leave, but that's another story.)

My advice would be that if you can afford it, go and see a therapist. I pay £40 a session and IMO a couple of hundred pounds now will be money well spent. If you genuinely can't afford it, there are still some charities who offer therapy and counselling, the NSPCC are also very good.

Having said all that, I think some of your DD's behaviour is pretty normal. But that's the thing when you've been through this sort of thing - you're never sure what is normal anymore.

humptydidit · 12/03/2011 16:55

Hi queenof, that's what I thought would be best for my dd too. I have asked for help through the school but it seems that she is not severe enough a case for the child mental health team to take on... so it looks like I will have to pay for it.
Where did you find your therapist? Who should I ask for a recommendation?
TIA

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jumpforjoy · 12/03/2011 17:25

Hi humpty my dd was 7 when her father left and had the same seperation anxiety problems. She stopped going to Brownies and dance classes because she wouldn't let me go home for the short periods.

I took both my DS who was 12 at the time and DD to relate counciling which is there also for children. The offer you the opportuinity to pay what you can afford. Unfortunately the DC's didn't really get anything out of it I think they were still too shell shocked to discuss anything, but that doesn't mean your DD won't.

My parents have also been very good at discussing any problems they may have and that has seemed to help.

Just give yourself both time to adjust and follow by your DD example of what she needs.

Be brave and good luck with the future

humptydidit · 12/03/2011 17:54

thanks jumpfor, it breaks my heart seeing the way she is. TBH she was always quite quiet and shy and in the few months before I left she was beginning to be more confident e.g putting her hand up to speak in class etc but it feels like she has slid right back and it;s such a shame.
i'm going to ring round on monday to find out what services there might be near to here.

We are in oxfordshire, if anybody has any recommendations that would be great.

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nixnjj · 12/03/2011 23:19

Hi I'm in Oxfordshire. I've had a quick google and come up with this which might be a place to start.

Isis Counselling Centre ? 01865 556648

Dartington House, Little Clarendon Street (Monday-Friday, 9:00 to 17:30).

Information, consultation and professional (NHS) counselling for anyone who is distressed by personal or emotional problems. No referral necessary, but you will need to make an appointment and there is a waiting list. Also holds lists of accredited counsellors/therapists etc in the area.

Might be worth a call. Good luck

cestlavielife · 12/03/2011 23:39

talking to a family herapist woud be good for you and her.

my dds were v happy to be away from exP but also showed some anxiety etc which soon settled down and they so much happier.

where are you in the south? eg london there ar eplaces.

ask your GP for places or google family or child therapy plus your town or psotcode

if you cant ask exP if he got cross or what happened then you might consider supervised contact for a while.

humptydidit · 13/03/2011 08:15

thanks all, will get onto it on Monday

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