It just seems like she's lost hope.
She came up to me today out of the blue that she doesn't know what she wants for Christmas (which isn't like her).

I had a talk with her today to see exactly where she's at, I asked her how she would feel if she could go back to school, and she said she just wants to stay with me.

I asked her if there was anything she was looking forward to, and she said she made a wish the other day and it didn't come true.

I asked her more about Christmas, I told her it would be very different to how it normally is, and she said we could have a feast at home, but when I said Santa won't bring her much this year, she said we will just wait until next year then.

I asked her about how she has been feeling emotionally, and she said sometimes shes happy, but sometimes she feels something else. When I asked her what that was she just shrugged and said she doesn't know what that is (red flag!)

The major things I have noticed is she doesn't plan for anything anymore...when lock downs first started she was planning things to do once it was lifted. All that talk has stopped. She seems more irritable than normal as well...throwing tantrums when she hasnt thrown one all year, screaming at her sister...I know sibling rivalry is a thing but I know my daughter, something is wrong.

Question is, what can I do to help her?

it would feel frustrating and upsetting to see your daughter feeling low and not really knowing what you can do. First of all I want to acknowledge that your talking to her is a good start. It sounds like you have a good relationship with her. My father could not tell me or his wife (my mother) what was wrong when he felt low - it can be hard to know exactly what you are feeling sometimes to explain it. There are some days when I also feel hollow for no apparent reason and scratch my head about is going on

You could check out beyond blue's Covid support site - https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au

Another place to look at is the kids helpline - https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Perhaps a chat with the family GP might reveal something?

Kids helpline also have what I call a kids version of feeling chart that might you and you daughter work out what that feeling is she cannot describe.

Hope it works out...

Tim

I have major depression, so I know the signs. I always promised myself that I would nip it in the bud ASAP if I noticed my children acting strange because I understand that the younger you get this stuff treated, the likelihood of it being a lifelong battle for them is much lower.

Depression is a horrible disease....I won't let it claim any of my babies :(

I have checked out kids helpline but at the moment I want to watch and wait, instead of making her feel like she's being dobbed in or like she's in trouble.

I just wanted to ask here to see if anyone else went through something similar with their young ones, but it sounds like I'm on the right track.

Thanks

There is a kid in my family a few years older than your whose behaviour changed last year. Lost interest in things, lots of negative thoughts. His mum took him to their GP. There were some mental issues and also a low iron count did not help

You are doing the right thing.

Thanks, reassurance is all I needed for myself here...now that the parks are open I'm hoping a bit of normality will cheer her up a bit.

I hope getting outside will be helpful. I found that it worked for me. What other things does she like?