Very Emotional 6 Year Old

I don't mean to sound alarmist, but, well, that is a little alarming. Either something is happening to her, or she's experiencing some kind of depression. In either event, I would recommend talking to her teachers and her doctor.

At the time my daughter started doing some similar things she was 8 years old and in 2nd grade. She cried all the time started eating tums like candy took her to the doctor several times ended up putting her on Zantac for 30 days and was a little better. Once off the medicine she was even worse than before. She had problems vomiting and even started dry heaving waiting for the bus she begged me not to send her to school wanted me to home school her. She has always loved going to school. It got to the point anytime we left the house even to go to the store together she felt sick and heaven forbid if I had to go somewhere without her oh my I even quit work so I wouldn't have to leave for work at night. It took her about 5 months to finally tell me it was the school environment and the kids she had to go to school with. Class was loud, kids rude and yelling. Kids would get in her face and say various things to her. Our solution was we put her in private school. That was after we tried to get her transfered within and out of the district and they wouldn't allow it. Give her some time and she may come around but if she looks physically unhealthy I would take her to a doctor just to be checked. It took my daughter so long to tell me because she thought I would be mad.. I hope this helps some just hang on it is a rough ride and I feel for you.

I would get her to an expert asap, that kind of major change needs to be investigated...praying for her and you to help her right now!

I agree with the other responders: talk to her teachers and get her to a therapist. As a former teacher (now a sahm), what alarms me most is that she was equally unhappy during break. If her issues were entirely because of school I would assume that her crying would have begun when break ended, not when it began. Her constant complaints of stomach aches and weight loss are very worrying as well. I'll be thinking about you guys!

T.

I think your gut reaction is right-on. It seems to be social. Some social relationship is causing her angst. Examine all of her social relationships. When is she most afraid or hesitant to move forward? Getting ready for school? Sundays before religious services? Before an extracurricular activity? Does she take a school bus? Maybe there is some stress on the bus that an on-board camera could shed some light on.

I highly recommend an immediate conference with her teacher and/or the school social worker. You might also want to explain the situation to her trusted pediatrician to rule out anything medical or inappropriate. The significant weight loss seems to be a red flag.

I have a 7.5 year old who has had negative experiences with some classmates. Luckily, she is willing to share her thoughts and feelings with us and her classroom teacher. My daughter continues to need regular guidance and coaching on how to handle difficult social situations, bullying and mean girls. We do our best to instill our family's moral character, explain the difference b/n right and wrong and support her in navigating these turbulent classmate relationships. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that we are just beginning to scratch the surface of these issues.

Best of luck to you and your daughter. Feel free to send me a PM if you wish to chat further.

Hugs,
Michelle

My daughter started seeing a counselor at Smart Love Family Services in Oak Park when she was 6. Thanks to her counselor I was able to find out that my daughter was unhappy about many things that really had nothing to do with school. She used school as an excuse because she didn't want to hurt my feelings about things that were upsetting her at home. Remember that your 6 year old isn't old enough to fully express all of her feelings. Using play therapy and the promise of confidentiality my daughter is so much happier and able to talk to me better (she still goes and she's almost 11).

Good luck.

T.,
It sounds like you've done your best trying to find out what may be going on with your daughter and I think now you need to ask others for help. Start with your pediatrician and ask for a referral so that you can find a great therapist/counselor for children. Just give her your constant love and support through this ordeal and surely once the problem has been discovered and addressed she will be able to turn to you for comfort always. Best wishes.

It's really odd that she has changed so suddenly, practically overnight it seems like. What does her teacher say? Is she the same at school? How is she getting along with the other kids?

I'd take her to see the pediatrician, and have them ask her some questions about how she's feeling (maybe without you in the room in case something is bothering her that she doesn't want you to know about.)

Stress is ruining her appetite. You need to find out what is causing this stress. I had a cousin who's daughter was sexually abused & she had no idea. Her daughter was too afraid & embarrassed to tell anyone. She just started acting the same way your daughter is acting. A school counselor finally got her to talk about it. I had another friend who's daughter was sexually abused by the nanny's husband. I know it's horrible to think of this, but it is more common than people like to admit. Please make sure she continues seeing a counselor or therapist. When her stress level goes down, her appetite will come back.