How much does your 10 year old dd talk to you about stuff?

[Dancergirl]

My oldest dd, 10, generally has a sunny disposition and is quite easy going, however when something's bothering her she does tend to bottle it up. Sometimes she seems upset about something and won't tell me about it or says she doesn't know why.

I respect her privacy and don't want to pry but I would like to think she can always come and talk to me about things. I've always tried to maintain good, open relationships with all my children but she just seems a bit secretive lately.

Is this a normal stage in that she's starting to grow up and a bit away from me? She's starting puberty so probably full of hormones. What's the best way of handling this? I want to back off and give her space but I would feel upset if she felt she couldn't trust me with problems.

ah - ahormonal ten year old. Ialso haveone just like yours who is bubbly and bouncy but will usually open up to me if she is upset. Not always.

Haveyou tried a long car journey? I have had my best conversations ina car as you are not exactly focussing on each other or looking at each other, and can have long silences without it being weird.

Just a thought.

some do, some don't

dd was very open, ds is more self contained- in fact, I can see myself in ds

try not to probe if you have a child of the second kind: just be there for them