Poor dd (nearly 9) massive meltdown twice this morning

[lexcat]

Start with a small meltdown one with tears and shouting very mild abuse at me. Then all huggy and I love you mum.

Then I wanted her to get dressed, simple. She just lost it, started crying then shouting, calmed down a bit before more tears (cross with herself for losing it) lots a hugs before it came to an end 8-10 mins later.

Real emotional meltdowns like the world was coming to an end. It's very unlike her she normal quite a calm child.

Pre-puberty hormones causing chaos? I don't have girls but have heard that the hormonal behaviour starts a good year before periods make an appearance. Hope that you get to the bottom of it, must be horrid for you both.

Is she worried about the start of a new term?

My oldest dd is also nearly 9 and we have been going through the same thing. She used to be such a calm child, now minor things set her off. I am putting it down to hormones starting.

9 was awful with my dd and a lot of her friends. They are 10 now and wonderful again.
...Good luck!

I did wonder as she seems to have swollen nipples and general swelling in the chest area. Plus she also tells she her hairs on her privates are going from clear to a very light colour. Add that to the bout of spots she's just had, hormones would make sense.

Just though the moods swings came later it all seem to young.

I read your post and wondered if you were describing my dd! This sounded just like my weekend - a nice calm dd, playing happily with bf, when told bf going home has a complete and utter flip out with us.

I have to admit I'd not considered hormones although I too had noticed she has a little more shape up top than previously.

The one thing we found that has worked is to ignore the tantrum as long as dd is in a safe place. When she kicks off we say we're not going to talk until she calms down, and remove ourselves from the area. No audience = nobody to argue with = calms down quicker. Takes nerves of steel though and iron self control (I had to put on my iPod and stand in the garden the first time!) but now she calms down a lot quicker (on average down to 5 - 10 minutes from half an hour).