Hi Moms, I have a 7 year old girl who seems to be unhappy. It's been a couple of months now and it driving me nuts. I can't figure her out! She's always been a happy child but not sure what is getting to her. I've asked her about everything - in trying to find out what is wrong. Her teacher tells me she gets along with everyone. I asked her (my daughter) if she has a problem at school with her class mates and she says no. She doesn't want to leave the house; wether it's grandma's house, store, a party (family party) or anything. I have a 3 year old son who does bother her a bit and that's another thing I'm working on with them getting along. She cries out of nothing because she seems to be extrememly sentinmental these days. She prefers her Dad over me and I think it's because I'm the one who reprements them a lot more than he does. She won't sleep through the night and it's very difficult for her to fall asleep - no matter what we tell her to do to try to go to sleep. I feel her really "cold" towards us (but mostly towards me). Anyway, does anyone have a similar situation? Do 7 year old girls go through a phase that perhaps makes them act this way? She'll turn 8 in August but do little girls go through changes? Any feedback will help. Thank you.
I would seek help. It could be depression. Maybe a visit to the pediatrician and then maybe a referral to see a counselor or psychologist. Sorry your going through this.
OMG, we do NOT need another drugged child in this world!
There are MANY MANY things you can do if your daughter is moody other than think she has mental illness or take her to a counselor.
I agree, check and see if she has a milk allergy or any other kind of food intolerance. Many times the allergy can be to a food coloring so get this checked out by an allergist.
It sounds like the crying is because of a lack of sleep. My 7-year old gets very touchy and cries easily if she does not get enough sleep. When she's at her mom's she'll often stay up until midnight or later and the next day we get her and she's very touchy. Also, food allergies can cause the same symptoms.
I would also limit TV before bed because that can make falling asleep hard. Cut sugar way down as well since sugar depresses the immune system.
I can't believe how many kids are diagnosed with depression and other mental illnesses when the real cause are food intolerances.
Good luck!
I just wanted to share with you what is going on with my niece. Not that this has to be the reason your daughter is acting different, it is just a small possibility. It also runs in her family. She actually started going through puberty at the age of 7. She would cry at anything and be unsocial. So my sister took her to the doctor and they started giving her shots to stop her from going through puberty to young. She is back to her old self now and seems to be doing well. I just wanted you to know that this is a possibility. I would never have guessed that this could happen to such a young girl.
If it is something else, does she have an aunt or adult friend that could talk to her and ask her what is wrong. Maybe she doesn't think that you will understand how she feels or maybe she doesn't even know why she feels this way. Worrying about something might explain the loss of sleep. If it continues for longer than a few months I would consider taking her to counciling. Don't get me wrong I am not suggesting depression medicine for a young child just talking about her feelings would be good for her.
A couple suggestions:
At this young age children pick up on our energy like a sponge so I wonder how are you and dad doing emotionally (holidaytime can be tricky)? As much as we try to shelter our kids from the realities of life they are affected by our personal issues. Which is why the best thing we can do for our kids is to find ways to heal ourselves.
A nurse once told me depression was really about repressed anger. So I wonder if she is allowed to express her anger. This has been challenging to negotiate with my husband since he was raised to believe expressing anger is disrespectful.
I bet her being overtired is most of the problem. I also think that sometimes kids, and grown ups too, get in the habit of being sad and getting the attention from that.
So, first fix the sleeping problem. I would first suggest getting her off milk for 2 wks and see if that solves it. Back in 2001 there was a study that showed that frequent night wakings were often caused by a hidden milk allergy. This is what got my dd (June 4, 1999) to finally sleep through the night. If that doesn't work, request a sleep study from your dr. and find out if she has apnea, restless leg syndrome or some other issue that is causing her sleep problems.
After you have solved her sleep issues, I would IGNORE her moodiness. Make sure you have time for her and play games or have just you and her time, but if she is moody or upset just tell her you love her. I know it sounds mean but I have had to tell me daughter to get happy cause we don't allow them to just mope and be upset over nothing. I tell her to think of something that makes her happy, do something that makes her happy or just be happy, but stop being all upset over nothing. Maybe you could make a list with her that list things that make her happy.
My daughter had other issues in addition to what you are describing (around the same age) but she started exhibiting OCD symptoms as well. I would suggest getting her some therapy. We waited too long and kept hoping things would get better with my daughter and she started acting violent towards me and then ended up being hospitalized in an out-patient program and was eventually diagnosed with sensory issues, OCD, and Tourette's.
Probably none of those things could have been avoided with my situation, but I wish I had gotten her help and followed my instincts earlier so that she might have opened up to me sooner and our relationship wouldn't have gotten quite so strained as we were going through trying to figure it all out.
Good Luck
M.
