Thanks to all who responded.
We have considered early puberty, because she developed a "bud", and I took her to the pediatrician immediately. He said it might be premature thelarche (puberty), but that we would have to watch. The "bud" since disappeared, but it could definitely have something to do with hormones. I don't believe that she has been abused or touched inappropriately, or had the threat of that kind of abuse, but I will delicately approach the subject with her. I know that in that situation, most parents don't know. I'm not naive enough to think that I know everything that goes on everywhere.
The behavior has been going on for quite some time. I have often believed that she might need some counseling due to our situation with difficult child, etc. My sister was a bit of a difficult child growing up, but I was the older sibling, so I handled it differently. I cannot imagine how she feels when we are in full blown meltdown. Even though she has grown up around it, it has got to be scary.
She still plays babies and Barbies and Bratz and is sure she is a Princess, so she is still a little girl, but must have some conflicting feelings, for sure.
I spoke with easy child's teacher yesterday and she said the behavior really wasn't showing at school - other than some tears if she is corrected on something once in a while. The teacher is meeting with her one-on-one this after noon after school and will let me know if she thinks she needs to meet with the school counselor. We will need to go through this channel for easy child to get a referral to see a doctor where difficult child goes. If this channel doesn't work for us, I think that I will seek a private doctor for her, although in this county, if you go that route it sometimes takes 3 or more months to get an appointment.
Thanks again, all. I will let you know how this progresses.
