I have a 9 year old daughter who lately has become a real pessimist. Her glass is always half-empty. I try to put emphasis on the good things in our lives, all the blessings that we have. But she focuses on the negative.
Any suggestions on how to turn her attitude around?
2007-02-08 13:26:24 · 12 answers · asked by Faustina 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Earlier someone posted a question which I responded to about her 9 year old possibly going through something similar to puberty. My daughter is also 9 and has become slightly more moody and sensitive than she used to be.
Could it be possible that our daughters are going through a sort of pre-puberty thing? Their hormones are already getting screwed up, puberty hitting them at an earlier age than it did us.
You might consult with your daughter's pediatrician to see what s/he thinks. Best wishes - wish I had more to offer!
2007-02-08 13:36:02 · answer #1 · answered by §Sally§ 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well the world and reality is pessimistic in nature this just means she has a higher intelligence then most. Does she still laugh and play or is she always sitting around depressed? If that is the case maybe take her to a psychologist. If she seems content though with just pessimistic thoughts then I'd say congratulations you have a daughter that can look at reality without a sugarcoating.
2007-02-08 21:46:42 · answer #2 · answered by Beaverscanttalk 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 8 and we have recently been going through the same thing. Have there been any major changes? Have you asked the teacher if she's noticed anything at school? Maybe try to spend more time her, just the two of you and make it fun. It seems like once girls get to that age they don't want to act silly and be embarrassed. but try to draw out that little child that is still inside and continue to remind her of how good her life really is.
2007-02-08 23:11:14 · answer #3 · answered by pchiz 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if you can change someone else. I do know you can change yourself. You can be thankful your daughter is not like me.
An optimist has a glass half full.
A pessimist has a glass half empty.
I am a cynic, I want to know who took the missing half.
You can always fake an ultra pessimistic attitude, she may try to pull you out of the funk. Be careful, she may go down with you.
Good Luck, and like I said, it could be worse. You could have a 59 year old son like me...
2007-02-08 21:41:57 · answer #4 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If she were my daughter I'd hug her.
No such thing as half a hug, ...
I suppose you can try honesty. The world is not perfect and she's clearly bright enough to see that. You can tell her that you know that too but sometimes people have to make the best of things.
Most of what she learns from you tho, is not what you say but what you not. Beware, your kid is not a dummy. Sorry to say.
2007-02-08 23:11:09 · answer #5 · answered by rostov 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try the Devil's advocate scenario; agree with her and have a little suicide party, hopefully her campaign for attention will turn around. Make koolaid, get some Oklahoma Center bombing videos, 911 attacks and try to scare the crap out of her. If this doesn't work then your child is severely disturbed and unfortunately for you children are products of their environment and there is something in there that you possibly are to blame. Or she has friends and parents of friends that are lunatics.
what is your definition of depressed? can't have the new toy? no Ipod? no cell phone? or are you well off enough and she has never contemplated no food, water, shelter, medicine hello Katrina victim
2007-02-08 21:42:33 · answer #6 · answered by cubcowboysgirl 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
in order for some people to be happy with what they have, things have to be taken away. i would take away everything that she likes for one week and let her see what it feels like to really have nothing. there are a lot kids in the world that do not have anything at all and she should be thankful for what she has. doing this should teach her not to be so down and out about everything. it is tough love but it has to be done. hope this helps. good luck.
2007-02-08 22:36:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take her to visit a Cancer ward in a Childrens hospital. And explain to her that for some of us- the glass is almost empty...- & still those children can laugh... There's ALWAYS something for us to be thankfull for.
2007-02-08 21:38:30 · answer #8 · answered by Joseph, II 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
DEAR
IT IS TIME FOR YOU THE PARENT TO PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN OK HERE IS WHAT YOU ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER OK LISTED BELOW IT WILL WORK IF YOU USE IT OK. (1) ST GIRLS ARE DADDY LITTLE GIRL WRONG THAT HAS TO STOP MOM.(2) SET DOWN THE GROWN RULES HARD AND REALLY TUFF. NO BACKING DOWN ON THIS OK.(3) AS FOR PUNISHMENTS USE THESE ON HER LISTED. (4)NO FRIENDS OVER AFTER SCHOOL ARE WEEKENDS NO CELL PHONES NO COMPUTER TIME EXCEPT HOME WORK NO CHATTING ON-LINE NO PHONE CALLS NO SHOPPING AT THE MALL NO MONEY FOR CHORES IF SHE TALKS BACK USE DAWN SOAP WASH HER MOUTH OUT PUT HER ON HER KNEES NOSE TO THE WALL TIME OUT YOUR ROOM NO TOYS CENTER OF BED JUST SIT THERE NO TV AT ALL VIDEO GAMES AND LAST POP HER ON HER BOTTOM USE A STRONG VOICE AND SAY MOMMY SAID NO THE WILL SCARE HER REALLY GOOD TAKE CARE I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT OK.
2007-02-09 01:02:43 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Open the newspaper, watch the news, go to shelter homes..other unfortunate places. Let her spend some time there..Hope she wud realized how LUCKY she is..
2007-02-09 03:14:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋