Constant crying - 7 y/o child

[PurplePrincess]

My 7 y/o step daughter cries all the time. She cries when she doesn't like what's for dinner, when she can't tie her shoes, etc. She cries when ppl sing happy bday to her. A few years back she cried and it was just her father, grandma and I. Her father and I got married recently and she cried walking down the aisle and wouldn't be announced into the reception, tho her 7 y/o cousin did fine. She recently joined a softball team and loves practice but cries before every game saying she doesn't want to play. One night she got a hit and cried cause everyone was cheering for her. I know she doesn't like attention (when she knows others are watching). But then there's this little twist too: She was so excited to dance at her father and my wedding reception until she found out her mom was coming then said she didn't want to dance in front of her mom. Recently her mom took her to an easter egg hunt (which she was excited to do) until her father and I showed up unexpectedly, then she cried and wouldn't do it. We ask her what's wrong and she says she doesn't know. She seems very happy and has an enormous amount of family and people who love her. She has known nothing other than having two parents and spending time with both since the day she was born.
I don't know what's going on. Will she grow out of this? Does she need professional help? Anyone have any ideas of what we can do to handle this? She is a beautiful, smart child and this is the only hang up with her. I am afraid of what will happen if she continues to cry - I don't want other kids to label her a crybaby.
Thanks!

[colep_2003]

i agree with the doc parshly... not to wait, but the Do is mixed up, im thinking, she misses mom, cuz she cries in about every situation you show up.  She will learn in time that life cant be controlled to Her Meanings.  another words she cant Control that her father maried you.  I would ask her what the problem is... Maybe thats it or not, i'm thinking its a Family issue...

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

She will likely even out over time and this hypersensitivity will wane. Some children are extremely self-conscious when they are the focus of others' scrutiny. But, rather than a wait-and-see approach, I'd have her evaluated because it makes sense to rule out any problem other than a sesitive temperament. To better understand your stepdaughter, take a look at Stanley Greenspan's book The Challenging Child. You'll be particularly interested in the chapter on The Highly Sensitive CHild.