DD is so grumpy and unhappy at the moment. Don't know what to do.

[Artisanjam]

DD is nearly 10 and coming to the end of year 5. She's a lovely girl generally but just so snarky and cross at the moment.

She's constantly complaining that everything hurts -I've taken her to the doctor a couple of times and she's had the full batch of blood tests but nothing appears to be wrong. When we've got there she said she'd made it up.

She's very tired but can't get to sleep - she goes to bed at 9 and gets up at 7 but often reads until I go to bed at 10.30 and then has a strop when the lights go out.

She told me she hated me this morning and I'm ruining her life because I won't swap her brother for her cousin which proves I love him best. Last night she asked for a cup of milk while I was sorting the washing and I said she'd either have to get it herself or wait till I was done. Her response was to say "what exactly is the point of you if you can't even do that one thing". It seems as though she can't miss an opportunity to be nasty.

Everything seems okay at school - she has close friends who she wants to see every day and her teacher says everything is fine.

Is this just hormones? I'm trying to be patient and prove I love her, but it is really hard just at the moment!

I sympathise. When I remember... I try and go back to basics... are they getting enough sleep, decent food and exercise... My first instincts are that she's not getting enough sleep. 1030 is too late for a 10 year old. My ds(11) is asleep by 930. Good luck

I don't have any advice as such, just wanted you to know I was actually pleased to read your post, it is word for word my son...who is also 10 and will be finishing year 5 in a few weeks.

It's bloody hard work!! He's either really happy or really miserable. He too stays up after I put him to bed (between 8:30pm/9pm) and I think it's not helping.

So I'm going to keep assuming it's part of growing up and that this phase will pass...and then the 2nd child will start, ha!

Hope things get better at yours!

My dd is y5 nearly 10 and emotional as anything. She also doesn't go to sleep until way too late even though she goes up. She's also studying for 11 plus and getting very worked up over that so I find it hard to know if it that causing the issues or lack of sleep or just worn out needs summer holidays. Anything sends her to tears at the moment.

Thank you so much. I think she is just absolutely worn out so will go back to sitting on her * until she goes to sleep do she can't read for hours but her reactions are so excessive it feels as though there must be more to it!

• not literally!

My 11 yr is the same. It's 11.18pm and she is still awake begging to come into my bed....
She must be knackered, I am.,,,