Acting Out Or Real Problem....

[bl08791]

okay last post for the night, I love my sister and all but some red flags are being raised recently so How do you know if a child who is old enough to know better is acting out for attention or has real problem? I.e. wetting the bed, sucking thumb, crying over lil things, highly defensive, not wanting to shower everyday?

[Old_Geezer]

Not having been a parent I can't say for sure but I think that if she needs that much attention there is probably an underlying cause. Best to encourage improvement but not make too much of a big deal over it. See if you can do anything about the cause in priority to the symptoms.

[andy-hughes]

You don't say how old your sister is - and behaviours go through stages as children grow up - so if you can advise us of her age, we will be better placed to offer some advice. Thanks.

[TWR]

Bed wetting is a common thing amongst children depending on their age, it becomes an issue if the child continues to do this & I think there could be a family issue, Bullying, shouting, arguments with parents ( I know this first hand) to me it sounds as if your Sister has either heard / seen / walked in on a family argument & may have walked in on a few, she sounds disturbed over something & this is her way of trying to handle it,

[bl08791]

she is 12

[Mamyalynne]

You posted this realier in the month...

// she's been through a lot including loss of our mother, she was for a time molested, and we both have been to at least 7 funerals in last 4 years, i don't know how to help her but i am her main person she talks to and i want to try.//


That's quite a lot for a young girl to cope with , so of course some of the things you describe could stem from her experiences - have you tried to speak to a professional about all this?

You obviously care very much.

[TWR]

I'm tying to estimate your age B108791, would I be correct saying 15>>16? if so, I think you might be taking that much on here with your sister,t can get to the point can also effect you, I gather from Mam's post the Issues your sister was / is having, It seems to me that family life / arguments / fights are effecting her in a metal way! am I right? regards the Molesting, is this a family member? if so you need to contact the Police, Head of School, Social Services & explain the issues, I hope you take heed of other peoples answers / response, do this as quick as you can as this can lead to very serious outcome.

[bl08791]

i am 24!

[Mamyalynne]

I still feel some professional guidance may be best , you could go with her perhaps?