11.5 yo dd suddenly a teenager?! Normal?

[PlanD]

It just seems to have happened over the last 4-5 weeks although I know it's probably been more gradual really it does feel so sudden. So she's in her room most of the time, eye rolling, attitude, all the usual. She still looks like a little girl and is small, slim with no development whatsoever! I think that made me think we'd escape the teen behaviour for a while.

So the point of my post is that IS this normal teenagery stuff?? I am ill prepared for it and feel a bit worried it's something else as she has pretty bad anxiety as well especially around starting high school. Is this a normal age for it to start? Hellllp!

Sounds exactly like my 11.5 year old daughter. Mind you, she's learnt from the master: her 17 year old sister

Oh thanks Running! Just feels like uncharted territory. I've never had a teenager before!

Desperate not to become nagging miserable mum but it's a well worn rut that I keep slipping into! (As is the sullen, solitary teen routine I guess).

Sounds like my 12 year old

My dd turned 11 a few months ago and I've noticed the last few weeks she is slowly morphing into a stroppy teenager. She is able to turn ANYTHING into an argument. It's like a talent

My dd is same age and some days just like that others she is not, I think that is down to having a younger sister so keeps her un teenage like if you know what I mean.

Hi PlanD, yes I would say normal and welcome to the happy world of preteens/teens, much of a muchness really.

My DD is 14yrs and probably started the eye rolling etc 'symptoms' at roughly 11 to 12 yrs and last year was particularly bad but now she seems to be on the uphill , with the odd slump now and then. Her and brother 17yrs just seem to want to sleep, eat and stay in their room 95% of the time.

It's the gift that keeps on giving......stay on here for support if needed!

Aw thanks folks! I panic bought the fabled 'get out of my life but first take Alex and Mr into town' book, hoping it will be useful! I'm sure I'll be on here loads too.

She's emerged and is currently reading her 8 y o brother a story she wrote

I think it's very common. And I think they start the attitude at younger ages when they have older siblings. My 13 yr old started acting that way around 11 and she has two older sisters 18 and 15. Fun isn't it?

She starts secondary school next month - it'll intensify then!

Yes, 12yo DD is very dramatic, full of attitude, stroppy etc etc

Batten down the hatches, it will be over in about 9 years!