Quote:
Originally Posted by shezbut
cookfan,
You sound like a good parent ~ very involved and concerned about your daughter's well-being. It sounds wonderful to me! I agree with Maranara's advice and middle school wisdom. I also think that it's great that you are getting your daughter in to see a T.
I am curious if your daughter feels a bit overwhelmed by her school and after-school responsibilities. Does she still enjoy gymnastics? Is that a big enjoyment for her, or is she also trying to avoid that nowadays? Does your daughter have any pets, or a love for something tangible?
With summer approaching, you may want to see how she feels about spending some time volunteering in a community program. Like YMCA, elder care centers, library, cleaning up the park, etc. A lot of pleasure and fulfillment often comes with helping others in some way. It would also help your daughter meet others that care about the same types of things as she does, and make friends.
I am sure that it's very hard to see your daughter feeling so down. I was also a "loner" when I was in school years ago, and I strongly recall the misery that I felt. Try to remember that not all kids are the same. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for others. Your daughter is at a tough age. Talking with her teachers could definitely give you a better perspective to how she is feeling while she is in school. Does she ever smile and try to talk with others, or is she withdrawn and quiet?
I wish you the very best at trying to help your daughter through this tough time in her life.
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Thanks so much. Yeah, part of my deep concern is that I was actually bullied in middle school, and to see my daughter suffering any social isolation just hurts in a way that I know is more extreme because of what I went through. You make a good point about gymnastics -- it is so goal-oriented but such a hard sport, and the girls aren't exactly supportive of each other (as they should be.) As it is right now she has no time for volunteer stuff but that will be the first thing I sign her up for this summer. Helping people or animals without being "scored" or having to compete will be a nice change. I did no sports as a kid -- not as many girls' sports then and I wasn't athletic. This daughter is the only one of our family who's shown any athletic ability, and since she loved gymnastics and was fairly good at it, I guess I jumped on it without realizing what was down the line.
She *used to* smile and be friendly with other kids -- Sunday school is a good example of that. Now, she sits with her arms crossed and doesn't participate. Her general demeanor is tired and sad. I totally get it because I've had major depression on and off my whole adult life.
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.