I think my 8 year old daughter is depressed!!!

bear,It is naturally hard on the children when their parents split up and seperate. It isn't easy for them. Have you talked to her about why she feels this way? I believe that the reason why this girlfriend of your husband's is badmouthing you is because she wants to attempt to take over as their mother. This woman seems alittle immature for doing this. Perhaps what you could do is to have a heart to heart with your husband. This daughter of your's wants the both of you to get back together. Like you had stated,She misses you when you are not around. And she misses her daddy when he isn't around as well. It isn't my place to get into the middle of things. But when a child feels sad because of the seperation of their parents,That's when I feel like I should do or say something. bear,I am for certain you are a wonderful mother,Loving,Caring,And nurturing. Also,She could be sad that you both found new partners and she doesn't like this. Have you tried to get back together with your husband? Or have you just let sleeping dogs lie? A little child needs to know that both of their parents love them very much. Also,The child wants to know that their daddy loves their mommy or the mommy loves the daddy. Children want to be included in a normal loving family. With a mommy,A daddy,Maybe a brother or sister,Or both,A pet perhaps,And whatever else makes a family so wonderful. I know that times are changing and that isn't the way it is now. I definitely know about that,Being a single father of one. My boy loves me very much and I love him as well. In time,He will ask me a few questions that I hope to have answers for. Your daughter does not need a psychiatrist,She needs a mommy she can talk to when she has problems. bear,Only you can help your daughter out. And all it will take is some tender loving care. I hope I have helped out somewhat. And if not,I'd like to apologize deeply. You give your girls an extra hug and kiss for me,Okay? They love you. My name is David and it's been an honor writing to you. Bye for now.

She seems very confused, insecure and needing of love. Dad's answer "where your heart is" probably didn't help much.... She is only 8, from a broken home, it is very hard for her to know where her heart is. Interesting that dad suffered from depression. Living in an environment with someone depressed causes a learnt behaviour of helplessness and so, yes, your daughter seems prone to depression if not is depressed! There are other signs eg being withdrawn at school, with friends, change in appetite and sleep, crying, doing less well at school. Usually teachers and school counsellors would pick that up too. Very good idea to get her to see a doctor if not a peadiatrician to see if she needs an anti-depressant. I think she needs to be away from dad's home for a while as the environment seems too negative for her fragile mind. good luck and all the best

There is a really good book you should read...I have it but looked and cant find now cause it has been a couple years.

The book is something like "Kids and Divorce"

You can get it at the library or at a book store and it reveals so much to you as a parent that you would be shocked to learn.

This "girlfriend" is being super destructive but take solice in he fact that people like that eventually implode...she obviously feels threatened.

Your daughter is behaving normally...as abnormal as that sounds this is very normal.

Has she started drawing the pictures yet?

She should be drawing pictures and fantisizing out loud about being one big happy family again.

You will get tons of clarity once you get to speak with a professional about all of this but DO NOT leave her alone with the professional no matter what anybody tells you to do...do not do it!

Give her 10 times the normal amount of support cause she needs it right now...and when you think yu are being overbearing give more!

At this age I don't think a psych is quite right. Children this age don't feel comfortable with psychiatrists (at least I wasn't). My best friends parents were divorced and when she started getting depressed her parents moved into the same apartment building. So she had access to them every day, and they were just down the hallway from each other and she visited her parents alone. This is a good solution because she is near both her parents and she has independence.

This is a very long-shot; maybe she's starting her period? I know I get very moody when that comes around.

watching my daughter who was 7 at the time, grow up with two families, i found myself in the exact same situation. I took Sarah to a Psychologist who told me she was not depressed, But needed extra attention. Since then i have needed to show her that she is very Loved, by alwayas saying i love you, giuving extra hugs and Splurging for icecream [not ALWAYS] Basically, it should get taken care of ASAP because sarah was withdrawn until age 10, and then had a hard time making friends

i would (of course) get the child a good therapist (maybe even the therapist at school). as for the witch (and that's what i'm going to call her although a better word would be the one that rhymes with it) i say call her. or go over there (but away from the children). ask her if she has a problem with you. and then tell her that you respect her (an obvious lie, i know) and that its important that you ALL behave like adults and not make things harder on children that have suffered enough already. and tell dad that if his skank doesn't straighten up asap, his time with the kids is going to shorten or disappear as long as she's there.

wow, thats a sad situation, i would suggest counselling for both your daughters and you definately need to get accross to your husband and his girl friend that is's NOT ok for her to slag you off to your daughters. It makes me SOOOO Mad when i hear of parent(or partners of parents in this case) bad mouthing the other parent to make them selves feel better without having a second thought for the childs emotional well being. If I were you and you are in the situation where you are able to have custody of your girls, i would definately fight to get them back with you cos they shouldnt be in an emotional harmful environment which it sounds like they are.

Go to a psychologist or.. she might just be a bit upset so give her a big hug or most of the time dogs make people really happy and cheerful. Maybe you should buy a dog!

you should take her to a professional and talk to ur ex lik u said...but also sit her down again and talk to her, reassure her that everything is alright and that she doesnt have to worry about these "Girl Talks" anymore bc u are going to take care of it, tell her that you are very happy she came to you for help and that you love her so much and nothing will ever change that. and make sure to tell this to your other daughter too, make sure they know that they can come to you for anything, this will also help for when they are older and need help.

I hope everything works out. Best of wishes!!!

Real depression is hell to live with, I agree see a psychologist a.s.a.p. I was only 10 when I had depression, don't let her live with it for any longer.