Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Struggling to 'connect' with DD6

2 replies

Powersout · 13/10/2023 10:24

Since starting Y1, DD6 seems to have grown up and changed in many ways and I'm struggling to adjust to what this means for my relationship with her. She's always been quite precocious - very bright, has called me 'mum' rather than mummy since she was 3, seemed to grow out of toys a year ago - but we've always been super close, enjoying days out and playing role-playing games together. Since going back to school after the summer she just seems quieter, wants to come home and veg out in front of TV for hours, gives me withering looks when I say silly things that she would have previously giggled at. She's not as keen to go out to the park or potter round town. I did initially worry that she's unhappy but I don't think it is that, she's just far more 'serious', almost teenage in her demeanor!!

I guess I'm just asking for a bit of reassurance that all this is normal. She's an only child and previously needed my attention all the time, she still wants me near her but just sitting on sofa next to her whilst she chills. I feel a bit lost! It all just seems a bit soon to feel like that embarrassing Mum who is saying stupid stuff and needs to just be quiet!

As an aside, I do struggle to deal with change if any kind and have previously struggled to adjust to how our relationship felt after big developmental leaps but I got there. I have absolutely no intention of trying to stop her grow up or flourish - this is something I'm incredibly aware of as it was an issue in my childhood and something I am always guarding against. I want her to be a happy, fulfilled, independent little girl! But 6 seems so young to feel like ive lost tgat connection and I feel quite low. All a normal part of your child growing up?!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Beamur · 13/10/2023 10:29

It is normal for things to change. I wouldn't put her poor behaviour down to sudden maturity though and would appropriately discipline when it happens.
You're entitled to be yourself without that giving rise to tiny dictator distain.
It does sound like she needs some quiet time after school - relaxing with you on the sofa sounds nice.
She will be interested in different things as she grows up - just remember to grow with her.

Miriam101 · 13/10/2023 12:49

I’ve noticed this with my dd too recently. She’s also 6. She seems a lot more self-sufficient suddenly and there are lots of little changes like at bedtime she no longer wants me to read to her- she wants to read to herself or just potter about quietly in her room. In general she is less reliant on me than a year ago. (While also obviously still completely dependent in other ways) But I’m embracing it tbh. It feels like a bit of a relief!! (Having said that I am less enamoured of the attitude we’re getting in moments of frustration/irritation which really does feel as you say like the teen years have come way too soon!)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page