I think every parent feels like you do (although I don't have any medical reasons to get cranky - but we all do).  It sounds like you have raised a wonderful girl!!! And to do it all on your own! GREAT JOB!!!!!

Kids will turn out how they are going to turn out.  All we can do is love and support them. 

If she is having trouble at school it is likely to be because she is academically gifted, and therefore bored.

You could try helping her with her weaknesses (eg play dates for social development, trampoline etc for physical).

We just have to be "good enough" as parents, not perfect! 

Keep spoiling her, use consistent disipline (eg 5 min time out in her room if she breaks the rules). 

But most importantly accept that you are doing the best you can! Your love is ALL she needs.

I'm going to go a little sideways here...

So in summation, she's mentally/academically extremely bright, but physically clumbsy and socially has a lot of problems...

Take her to a paediatrician and get her assessed for mild Aspergers and other such Autistic Spectrum Disorders. It's probably not that, but it'll illiminate that from the possible maybe causes, and then you can also talk about it all with the peadiatrician and figure out ways to combat these problems. Regardless of what the cause ends up being, knowing how to handle it will help you and your daughter a lot, and a paediatrician can help you with that.

And don't worry about the teacher's finger-pointing attitude, I spent all last year at parent-teacher interviews saying over and over again, "Yes, my son has aspergers and that's one of his traits, now what do you expect me to do about it?" His teacher this year actually comprehends it and he's doing heaps better at school this year because of it.

Well of course they are pointing a finger at you!  LOL!! Sounds like you are too!  I know what it is like to not be able to do what you want for your kiddies. Sucks!  Drags you down.  But what you are doing is loving your daughter and doing the best you can.  So good for you, you should be proud of that!  Bright kiddies need challenges and they react to finishing tasks in their heads before others.  Sounds like she has extra time to run about bothering people!  Kiddies go through so many stages and it actually sounds to me like she might be reacting to stress.  She sees you ill and doesn't understand how to handle it.  You might want to try to take her places and you sit and watch her play.  Even taking your pills should be hidden from her.  Kiddies understand...but not all and she may be fearing losing you.  I know it is hard to hide your worries but when I was very bad the kiddies never had a clue. You are her whole support and that needs to stay strong for her to feel safe.  I so hope you realize that your beautiful little angel wouldn't be as bright and loving if you hadn't done soooo many things  right! I wish you the best of luck!

Hi there,

I just finished reading your question, and it sounds to me like you are doing all the right things and an amazing job for a woman alone and in poor physical health! I was alone for 4 years with all 6 of my children and its not an easy task to parent alone.. its difficult with two people let alone nobody to tell you that you are doing a great job,, so from me " Youre doing a great job"..

Ok, I have 9 children now (3 Step kiddies also these days) rangeing in age from 12 down to 4yo. Believe me, we have had all of the behaviours noted by you, unfortunately, although it doesnt happen in all cases, alot of what she is doing is normal behaviour, or at least it seems to be as I have been through much the same with my other children after my divorce.. perhaps its acting out because they only have one parent and it becomes more noticeable to them when they get to school having contact with children with 2 parents and they start asking questions, but it seems to even out as they make friends and realise that there is other children with only one parent also..in fact a range of differnt families in their class and around the school and then they start to fit in a bit more. I dont know if this is a factor in her behaviour, but i do know that i went thru this with at least 2-3 of the children and seems to subside after about a year or so as they grew and made more friends.. The good news? she will grow out of it, with your support and understanding, which, you seem to have been doing already. The truth is, if anything happens to a childs mother, that child will be most likely difficult to manage even in that event itself, whether they are a perfect child or not, so dont let her current behaviour worry you as to what may or may not happen... hopefully that will not play a part in her life,try to think positive, i dont know your medical history, but i do know that while you are still breathing.. theres a chance for anyone to have a long healthy life, dont give up on that idea either no matter what health problems you may have.. my brother was diagnosed with lymphoma and its only his attitude to living that has him with us today, in remission, and shocking the doctors at his amazing recovery..

It does sound to me like you need a break yourself, to get your health on track and to focus some of that energy on you and not just parenting.. I dont know where you are from.. I'm in australia and we have respite options here for parents with disabilitys or anxiety and depression disorders.. perhaps find out in your areas, what options you have to link in with services that are funded for respite to parents having difficulties, health, emotional or otherwise. otherwise, feel free to message me any time if you need a chat to a fellow parent who has been there aswell..

 Cheers from Mel xx

Oh you poor thing, I really feel for you, you are going through this unsupported.  Sounds like your daughter has a has a behavioural disorder.  Go to the GP and get a referral to a Child psychiartrist (medicare rebatable, yay)  so a full assessment can be done.  You need help, no one can be expected to raise a unique child on their own.  Get a book called explosive child by Ross Greene.  Your daughter is not being a troublemaker, she is just acting out to show how she is feeling cos she doesn't have the words.  She is obviously bright and frustrated, it doesn't sound like the teacher understands her - and this will be a big impedement for your daughter if the teacher doesn't get her act together.  Tell the teacher you want to work with her to solve the behavioural difficulties, but put it back on the teacher to deal with your daughter in a way that will work for both of them.  Maybe she can't sit still not wont.  Maybe her mind is wandering not just her body! during class.  She needs lots of positive reinforcement from the teacher. 

Good luck and get prof help. Let us know how you get on