Pre-teen girls

I only have an 11 yo son and he’s a pretty good kid. He’s been pushing back lately with the attitude, but I’m guessing a lot of it is the stress of being new to middle school in a virtual learning environment and dealing with me going thru chemo.

I’ve been staying with my boyfriend bc it’s not safe for me to be alone, and he has 4 kids. It’s a LOT for me bc they all have behavioral issues - he admits they all need therapy, but his ex doesn’t agree and has poisoned the kids mind against it.

He has an 11 yo girl - and her behavior is bonkers to me. She steals stuff (has stolen flavored chapstick from me), she’s quick to get upset if you don’t do what she wants to do, she’s been really mean to her 6 yo sister (forced toothpaste in her mouth and all over her face bc she “thought it was funny”). My bf admits that he thinks she’s going to be a mean girl and he’s trying hard to instill empathy, but she’s been acting out more lately.

Maybe all of this is just about a pre-teen girl - which I have no experience (other than going thru it myself 35 years ago). What’s “normal”?

Re: Pre-teen girls

I have 3 girls (13, 12, and 12) all are well behaved, awesome kids with little to no attitude.

I urge your BF to reach out to his lawyer to demand for his children to get therapy. His lawyer will walk him through what needs to be done legally. It is only going to get worse if he does not.

Forgot to add: Good luck and keep on fighting!

Message edited 1/28/2021 1:22:00 PM.

Re: Pre-teen girls

Re: Pre-teen girls

My daughter is 10 1/2 and nowhere near like that.
She has her moments of an attitude here and there, but rarely and it's never anything crazy. For the most part she is a good kid, well behaved, and more importantly, kind.

Those things you describe are absolutely not normal pre teen behavior

It really does sound like she needs some kind of therapy. I don't know the background of the situation- how the divorce was, etc etc but those are behaviors of a child crying out for help.

I would think the sooner, the better, to get it addressed because it will only get worse sadly

Message edited 1/28/2021 4:56:44 PM.

Re: Pre-teen girls

I have a 14yo DD. What you're describing is way beyond "teenage angst". Lots of girls (not all) have attitudes, rebellious behavior, etc.
These things are so far beyond that, she definitely needs to talk to someone.