A mother has shared how she was left heartbroken as her daughter no longer wants to be kissed or hugged and only becomes happy when she’s with her friends.
Posting on Reddit, the mom said that her 12-year-old dismisses their family outings to see her friends.
She explained that her daughter changed when she entered the sixth grade ad had gone from wanting to be with her and playing with her younger siblings to now avoiding all of them.
“I guess I am grieving the child who wanted to be with me all the time,” she wrote. “She is a tween going through typical tween stuff but it’s like a completely different child.
“She no longer wants to go with us on outings during the weekend, she hardly wants to talk to me, everything I say is ‘cringe’, ‘annoying’, or ‘useless.’”
The heartbroken mom also said that her daughter doesn’t let her kiss her cheek and doesn’t want hugs anymore.
“She mutters ‘bye’ begrudgingly when leaving for school but brightens up at the sight of her friends (which I’m glad she has found good friends), and overall just doesn’t ever want to do anything as a family anymore, not to mention I can barely get her to come out of her room,” she continued.
The mom said that “it is heartbreaking because she is only 12 but already so independent it’s just makes me feel a little sad.”
Fellow parents were quick to share their thoughts, with one commenting: “She might roll her eyes or turn up her nose, but she’s still hearing those ‘I love yous’ and there will be a day where she comes to you for a hug and it will all fade away.”
Another said: “You’re raising a confident young person who feels safe and secure enough to pull away. Nice job!! I’m dreading that stage so much and can’t imagine how much it’s going to hurt. Good on you recognizing it isn’t about you, maintaining that loving environment, and allowing her the space to grow as a person. You’re going great.”
A third added: “This IS hard momma – and it does happen fast. Suddenly you’re just not cool anymore. Mine is 12 and we’re going through something similar but not quite as bad. Fortunately I have an older daughter who is 17 now & I became cool again to her around 16. We will be cool again.”
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