Is my little girl being bullied?

[Tracey_P]

Recently my 11 year old daughter has been coming home and going straight to her room and has become very withdrawn and and sometimes snappy when I ask her what's wrong and this is worrying me to death. Me and her father split up last year and he lives quite far away and doesn't even phone. The reason I left her father is I was sick and tired of the cheating the drinking and the mental abuse which sometimes got physical and so had to go and I'm already wondering whether this has affected her without this problem on top which I'm sure is bullying as she once came from school without her hairband that she left with and her jacket arm was ripped and she had dirt on the back like she had been on the floor but she said it must've happened when she sat on her jacket and then got up and it caught on the bench. I'm at my wits end here and have never been in this position. What can I do?

[karenmac60]

Have a talk with her, but it sounds like she's just getting hormonal. My daughter started this at around the same age and at 14 she's pretty much the same - straight to her room and can be quite emotional. She's not one for getting snappy but she will burst into tears for no reason. I know for a fact things are absolutely fine at school and I think it's just those 'terrible teens' - especially since she is a lot worse at certain times of the month (that is only a recent development though). Kids are a lot more resilien than we give them credit for so try not to worry too much about things x

[Tracey_P]

I'm not sure it's that as me my mother and my other daughter were all late developers, at least 13 years old karen.

[karenmac60]

I was 15 Tracey - as were my sister and mother. My daughter didn't actually start her periods till12 and a half, but the hormonal moods started much earlier.

[Tracey_P]

Karen I really hope that's it.

[karenmac60]

Talk to her and have a word with the school. If it's something you can get it sorted and if it's nothing you can relax - good luck x

[Tracey_P]

Yes I'll be talking to her teacher when they go back to school. Thanks for the chat.

[chattykathy]

I think you need to just have a general chat with her - maybe go out shopping/go for something to eat and let her know she can talk to you about anything. I wouldn't ignore it but don't pressurise her either, just make sure she knows she's loved and cherished - she may be feeling rejected by her dad. Does she have any friends who might be able to give you an insight as to what's happening at school?
Good luck, I know it's such a worry

[Count-A-Strong]

Has there been any lessening of the 'symptoms' during the holidays? Try to monitor whether she starts to get nervous or agitated about going back as this may helpmdetermin whether its bullying or the onset of puberty. I tend to agree with Karen.