What are / were your 11-12 year old girls like?

[Floweringg]

Mine is deep down very lovely, very sensitive, kind, funny and intelligent.

However…..

just recently her mood swings have ramped up and it’s almost like she’s changed overnight… her voice is very flat and she finds it hard to move her head up from her phone, she hates school, hates her life, is exhausted all the time, and tearful / irritable.

in between this when she’s distracted or doing something she enjoys then we get glimpses of her old self.

im worried about her and keeping an eye on things for sure - but wondering if this typical preteen behaviour and those who have come out the other end. How long does it last?

thanks ☺️

My 12 year old is exactly the same!

My 11 year old is exactly like you say. Very close to tears a lot of the time , hates school, it's a battle to do homework. Looks sad even at weekends. Her older sisters were not like this. She won't speak about the issues. Not allowed much time on her phone but often on switch or TV. Doesn't want to see her friends .

My son was like this in year 7

Sadly I think the transition to secondary is exhausting for them

Dont make the mistake I made..I let my son use his phone in his bedroom.or do gaming. He is 13 now and it became so addictive snd im in a really horrible situation trying to be stricter.about entrenched behaviour

Keep your girl interacting with family ..keep screen time to a minimum.. dont let her have social media...ahe needs to chill and develop properly in the home environment

My 11 year old has moments like this, but not all the time by any stretch. It’s a tricky age I think. Expectations from all angles increase with the move the secondary school, and I know my daughter struggles a lot with the idea of growing up. I try and dial down the expectations at home and make it her safe space…she’ll rise up in her own time.

Can you get her off her phone and living in the real world?

Mine hangs out with friends till 4 then does dance from 5.30-7 so doesn't have time to get drawn into her phone.

She has the odd mood swing but is chatty and looks forward to school

Agree with this.

My 13 year old DD similar. She can actually be vile