There’s a twelve-year-old girl who lives downstairs from me who’s having a hard time socially. Her mother home schools her, and as far as I can tell has made no effort to get her involved in activities to meet kids her own age.
To make matters worse, she is very far behind intellectually. I’d estimate her reading level at third grade, tops and I actually saw her use her fingers to add 12 and 20. She tells me that she hasn’t even begun long division or fractions. Call me a nosy neighbor, but I’ve observed that her mother is gone most of the day and when she is here, the daughter is babysitting for the other moms in the neighborhood, so I’m not sure exactly when this homeschooling is getting done.
Kris comes to my house nearly everyday to hang out, and my neighbors say that she is always at their houses, too. It breaks my heart to hear her talk about how she wants friends her own age, maybe even a boyfriend. She tells me that the other kids call her ugly and stupid and want nothing to do with her.
I’ve tried talking to her mother, assuring her that the schools here are pretty good and letting her know about activities that I think Kris would enjoy, but she seems a little unhinged to say the least. Whenever I go down there, she tells me how everybody is “against” her. If you don’t notice her walking down the street while you are driving, then you’re her “enemy”. I try to stay on her good side so that I can help Kris, but it’s hard…
I’ve noticed that Kris has started stuffing her bra, and dressing provacatively, and I’m concerned about what she might do to get some attention. I try to give her good advice about boys and relationships, but at that age friends are everything.
I just don’t know what to do! It’s so damn frustrating. I don’t know any other kids her age to introduce her to. I’ve considered offering to tutor her, but I have a feeling that her mother might be offened by this and then I’d be an “enemy”.
Does anyone have any ideas? Please?
“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” Albert Einstein