Why Is My 10-Year-Old Daughter So Moody and Emotional?

Last Updated on May 11, 2023

When your 10-year-old daughter is going through puberty, it may feel like she’s on an emotional roller coaster. She might be feeling overwhelmed with the changes her body and mind are experiencing, which can lead to dramatic shifts in her moods. 

From feeling overly sensitive and easily frustrated to having outbursts of anger, it’s important to understand what your daughter is going through so you can help her navigate this stage of life with grace. 

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the common causes of moodiness in tweens, as well as provide tips for helping them stay grounded during this tumultuous time. So, keep reading!

why is my 10 year-old daughter so emotional and moody?

We’ve already mentioned that it’s normal for 10-year-old girls to be moody and emotional. Puberty is just around the corner, and the hormones associated with it can cause drastic mood swings. 

At this age, children are also developing their sense of identity and are trying to figure out who they are in the world. This process can be overwhelming and cause a lot of emotional turmoil.

This is totally a normal part of growing up and it should not be seen as something to worry about or try to “fix.” 

Instead, provide your daughter with a safe space in which she can express her feelings and be heard. 

Try to listen without judgment or criticism and offer understanding, empathy, and support. Encourage her to talk about her feelings, even if you don’t understand them.

You can also help by providing structure and routine in her life. Establishing regular times for meals, bedtime, chores, and leisure activities can help give her the stability she needs to manage mood swings during puberty.

Additionally, make sure she knows that if she ever needs to talk, you are there for her and that you will listen without judgment. 

Having a strong bond with your daughter can help her navigate the challenges of adolescence with more confidence and resilience.

Remember, it’s natural for children to go through mood swings during puberty; try to be supportive and patient. 

With understanding and some guidance, your daughter will make it through this difficult time. 

Also read: Behavioral and emotional strengths of a child

Watch this video on 10 year old seems angry all the time

What Causes Mood Swings In Females, Especially Pre-Teen Girls?

Mood swings in females, especially pre-teen girls, can be caused by a variety of internal and external factors. Hormonal changes are the most common cause of mood swings during the pre-teen years, as the body is in a state of flux due to puberty. 

Teenagers suffer from powerful hormonal fluctuations due to their elevated levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. 

These significant shifts in hormone levels are responsible for the extreme mood swings typically associated with adolescence. 

“These teenage hormones, which are the same hormones adults have, are in flux during this time and often times lead to extreme mood swings.”, says Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, a veteran licensed pediatrician and child & adolescent expert.

Not only do these hormones affect a teen’s emotions and behavior but they also can have impacts on physical health as well, Pierrette added.

However, life stressors such as school issues, family dynamics, and social pressures can also play a role.

This can lead to feelings of irritability or sadness without any identifiable trigger. The impact of these hormonal shifts can be amplified during times of physical or emotional stress or during periods when sleep is disrupted; both of these occurrences are common amongst pre-teens, Pierrette explained.

Aside from hormones, daily life stressors such as academic pressure and bullying can create an environment where mood swings become more frequent and intense.

Additionally, relationship issues between family members or friends may contribute to unstable emotions. These situations often leave teenage girls feeling overwhelmed and unable to express their thoughts or feelings in an effective manner which only serves to compound the problem further.

Pre-teens may also lack the language skills and maturity needed to effectively identify their own emotions, let alone discuss them openly with others; this lack of self-awareness compounds their difficulty in managing mood swings.

To properly manage one’s mental health it is important for teenagers to learn how to identify their emotions as well as practice positive coping strategies such as exercise, journaling, listening to music etc., that help them manage their feelings, dr. Pierrette suggested.

Moreover, having an understanding parent who listens empathically and offers support goes a long way towards helping young people through these challenging times when mood swings become frequent and intense.

So, in short, the major reasons are-

-angry outbursts

-sleep deprivation

-body image issues 

-negative mood

-sexual development 

-emotional development 

-normal development

-gender identity 

-child maltreatment 

-academic anxiety 

-less attention for parents 

Changes in a 10-year-old girl

Physical Changes

A 10-year-old girl’s body will start to change in many ways. She will likely become taller and may gain some weight as her bones get stronger.

She may notice changes in her skin, such as more pimples, and her hair might become thicker or longer. Her breasts may begin to develop, and she might have monthly periods too.

Emotional Changes

A 10-year-old girl is likely to experience many emotional changes. Around this age, she may start to feel more emotions, such as happiness, sadness, and anger. She will also be developing her own sense of identity and understanding of the world around her.

As she grows into an independent person, she will be able to express her feelings better and have a better understanding of the consequences of her actions.

Social Influences

A 10 year old girl is influenced by her friends, family, teachers, and the media she consumes. She looks to these people for guidance on how to act, think and feel. Additionally, the culture in which she lives can also shape her beliefs and values.

She is often embroiled in arguments with her friends and expresses excessive levels of jealousy or possessiveness. She places an undue amount of emphasis on how she looks, testing social boundaries as well as asserting her independence.

Brain Development and Emotions

At 10 years old, a girl’s brain is still growing and developing. She will experience different emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and love. As she grows older she will learn how to better understand and manage her emotions.

How To Support Your Daughter’s Emotional Well-Being During These Times Of Change?

To help your daughter during times of change, be understanding and supportive. Listen to her worries and show her you care about how she feels. Encourage her to do activities that make her happy, like going for a walk or playing with a pet.

Talk to her about the changes in a way she can understand and offer reassurance that things will get better. Help her find ways to cope with stress, such as deep breathing or writing down her thoughts.

Show her that you understand and are there for her during these times of transition. Remind her that it’s okay to feel uncertain, but also help her focus on the positives so she can adapt to new situations.

In addition, be a role model in how you respond to changes – show your daughter that even when things don’t go as expected, you can still stay calm and make the best of it. Together, you can get through this change together!

“When times of change seem overwhelming, there are numerous resources available to help your daughter. Consider enrolling her in therapy or talking to a school counselor if she’s having difficulty processing the changes.

Find books that discuss life transitions and how to manage them. Reach out to family or close friends who have gone through similar situations and can offer advice on how they handled it – hearing their stories may give your daughter hope and reassurance that things will be okay”, Pierrette told us.

Participate in activities together as a family or join clubs outside of school where she can meet new people and make connections with others who are going through similar experiences, she added. 

Finally, be sure to take care of yourself during this time too – it’s important for parents to model healthy coping mechanisms for their children.

Change can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or scary. With understanding, support and resources, your daughter will learn to navigate life transitions with confidence and resilience.

When Should Parents be Concerned?

Parents should be concerned if their 10 year old daughter’s moodiness does not go away after a few days. They should talk to their daughter and try to figure out what is bothering her.

If the moodiness persists, it may be a sign of depression or an underlying mental health issue. It is important for parents to stay connected with their children and monitor their behavior.

They can also seek professional help if needed. Talking to a doctor or psychologist may help in providing additional support and guidance as they work towards diagnosing any potential issues that might be impacting their daughter’s emotional well-being.

“Mental health should not be ignored and parents should take action if they notice signs of distress in their child”, Pierrette told us.

Encouraging healthy habits such as eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical activity are all essential components of helping young people maintain good psychological health.

Parents can also help their children maintain positive mental health by showing them love and providing a safe environment for them to express themselves.

Taking the time to listen and understand what is going on in their daughter’s life can help parents provide her with the support she needs during this difficult period in her life.

Additionally, it is important for parents to create an open dialogue so that their daughter feels comfortable talking about her emotions and problems with them.

Providing support and guidance through these challenges can help young people cope better when they encounter difficulties.

“It is essential that they have access to resources such as therapy or counseling if needed, so they can get the help they need during times of distress. With the right care, 10 year old girls will be able to reach their full potential”, Pierrette emphasized. 

FAQs

Wrapping Up

It’s natural for 10-year-old girls to be moody and emotional as they are experiencing a huge number of physical, mental and social changes.

However, if your daughter’s behavior is affecting her daily life or causing distress in the family, it may be worth considering talking to a professional about how best to help manage their emotions.

Ultimately, providing support and understanding during this time can go a long way towards helping them cope with any struggles they might face.

With patience and guidance from parents and guardians alike, children will have all the tools necessary to help them navigate through these tumultuous years successfully.

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