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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

11yo really unhappy with life in general

1 reply

pompeymatt · 01/04/2014 22:56

My daughter started secondary school in September and is really struggling with life there, the girls she was friends with at junior school have deserted her and are teasing her in front of the other kids, now she has turned all dark and moody, listening to heavy metal, wanting to watch horror films, becoming fixated with the macabre and gore etc, she is frequently saying my wife is nagging when she is simply asking her to do homework or have a bath etc, rolling her eyes, door slamming and more. we have been into school to talk to her tutor, are trying to book a session with the school counsellor but would welcome any tips or words of advice to try and make the whole situation easier, she is a very bright student with great prospects so i'm terrified she'll go downhill with her academic studies too. we constantly tell her we love her, cuddle her, try and encourage her to come out of her bedroom and spend time with us and her 9yo brother but it's really tough. HELP please

OP posts:
Ferguson · 02/04/2014 19:27

Aren't you glad YOU aren't a teenager any longer?!

There is probably no real solution to things like this, and any desire for change has to come from within the child (young woman?) herself.

I worked over twenty years in primary schools, mostly as TA, and a few years in secondary. Newton said for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; he obviously didn't mean it applied to children, of any age, but I think probably "if you push her, she pushes back."

For a start, evaluate what she was like BEFORE moving to secondary. How did she behave, work, socialise at primary school? Was she HAPPY at school, and I mean really happy, not just tolerating it, or struggling to cope? Might the problem have been lurking BEFORE she started secondary? Did she have out of school activities, hobbies, sports etc? If she did then, does she still keep up similar things?

So, as far as is possibly, (in teen-speak) CHILL, COOL IT, try to put a minimum of pressure on her. Children don't WANT to be unhappy, but circumstances and hormones often conspire to prevent them being HAPPY.

A counsellor at school does move the issue onto a more formal basis, so might be a last resort.

What is her work like at school? Does she have excessive 'screen time' at home? Does she 'live' on social networks?

Think about these questions, and if she will, encourage her to talk about them with you. If you want to come back with info, I'll see if I can help further.

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