That's it really. She went in September from a little village primary school where she had been nearly two years and got on well with everyone to a big secondary school. All her friends are there but not in her class so she meets them at break and lunchtime but in her actual class she only knew two students before she went there, only one of them a girl and this girl is someone she has had problems with before - the girl changes her mind about who she's hanging out with from day to day, has told my daughter in the past she's her best friend and then the next day refused to talk to her, being "best friends" with someone else. This has caused much upset over the years and I am devastated to see this starting again.
However, I hoped that through meeting lots of new people she would make new friends and at first she seemed to. But she says they are all into makeup and tell her she has to wear makeup, have her hair cut a certain way etc. My dd isn't into that sort of thing so much it seems, although she does like to put some makeup on (I find this way too early at the age of 11!!) but I don't let her wear it to school and in fact it is not permitted in the rules, but of course no one pays attention to that.
She doesn't want to have her haircut and I don't feel she should either as it suits her the way it is, she's been growing it for a couple of years, it's thick, almost straight and long and she has a fringe.
It is getting difficult to get her up in the morning and she seems reluctant to go to school, says she feels ill but is then fine when she is home after school, I'm worried this is due to what these girls are saying to her.
I've offered to speak to her form tutor but she doesn't want that. I've suggested she talk to her form tutor about it herself when no one is around, see if she has any helpful suggestions (her form tutor is only approx. 23 and my dd things she's great). Also suggested seeing what lunchtime clubs other girls she might like to be friends with go to and joining those clubs but she says she has tried that, going to reading, textiles and IT club. Suggested being a bit more outgoing to get talking to other people because she is a bit shy, also suggested trying to make friends with boys as they sometimes aren't as "difficult" as girls, not so much pressure, but she's not keen on that idea.
Sorry to ramble on, just wondered if anyone else has been in or is in a similar situation and has any suggestions how I can help my daughter.