My first impression is what a good and caring Dad,something in your Post touched on the fact you really care about how your Daughter feels.She is finding it hard to socialise, when you are talking to her find out what triggers the fights she gets into what did she feel and do just before,The Baby talk and crying is trying to get your full attention,maybe back off a bit dont worry if she crys about the fights or being snubbed. If she gets a good enough reaction from you thats what she wants.The repetitive movements of her hands are some anxiety, at this stage just ignore it, the more you notice the more she will do it.,if it stays or gets worse get her checked out by your Doc.How about you invite a new friend to come to play and you can observe her interaction with her. Good Luck,she'll be fine
Thank you for the kind words.
I have been asking how the fights start, but what is concerning me is that it is always the other kids. Now normally I would side with her but it is becoming suspect that she has so many fights with so many kids. I need to actually go over today and find out what the last fight was about.
I know she does not have equal footing with the other kids, because of her past living environment. She can ride a bike yet, does not know how to deal with disagreements. I've tried but she is very fearful of any thing she is unsure of. I was always of a mind to let her bump her nose once in awhile, but her mother was all for baby gates and fencing in everything. The did not have run of the house until she was in kindergarten let alone be able to go play in the yard by herself.
You may be right I may be over compensating, but I myself am fear myself that I can provide her with a stable environment with the way things are with her mother. I never know myself when she is with me, how can she be secure? It all just seems so out of synch. I want her to be a happy child, not all filled with angst.
Does she say what the disagreements are all about? I dont see that her past living enviroment would affect her footing with other kids.Girls of 8 sometimes have separate friends I wonder if she is trying too hard to befriend a bunch of them perhaps one or two would be better,ask her if there is a particular girl she likes and is nice to her she could make more of a friend. I know you care sometimes you have to chill out and let her deal with it.Especially if she has lived the over protected life when she was little.I think your caring attitusde shows you can provide a stable enviroment with you. Would you say she is Happy living with you? if she wasnt you would have to consider the options.
This story really touched me. I have an eight year old son that has some social problems and he has a stable childhood. I do know that the top three stressors in a child's life are: Death, Divorce, and Moving. Your daughter has been through all three. I know by reading your words that these events are of no fault of your own, but it is a tough, tough thing for a child to deal with. It sounds like to me that her mother was so afraid of losing another child that she coddled her too much. I may be wrong, but that is what it sound like. The coddling alone can cause a child to act clingly, younger than their age and socially behind. Also, watching her mother unable to cope might have affected deeper than you realize. You can check out your nearest children's hospital and sometimes they have sibling groups that help kids cope with the loss of a sibling or family member. Even if she is too young to remeber this event, she still knows about it. I hope this has helped, but I would definetly talk to her doctor and there should be a school counselor she can talk to.