Any Ideas How Daughter Can Cope with Emotional Issues ?

I would start by validating her feelings. It's ok for her to miss her cousin. It's ok for her to be sad.

Allow her to be sad a bit, but then get her engaged in something else. Read a book together, play a game, go for a walk, make dinner together, sign her up for ballet or Girl Scouts (or Cub Scouts) or basketball or something.

It's ok to be sad and to miss people, but it's important to try not to dwell on it. I think that's what you are trying to tell her. She might be too young to understand what that means, but you can show her by helping her find something else to busy her mind with.

Just glancing back and it sounds like you've had some changes (newly wed in 2018) so that can be a lot for a little person. Your new husband just was in ICU - scary and hectic - for a seven year old too.

Seven is a big leap in kid maturity levels - a counselor once told me that. If she's had changes, her maturity will be on the low side possibly, and she might just be a bit behind. Sometimes kids that age can't handle their emotions as well as we'd expect and that's ok.

I wouldn't say Don't be sad. Imagine if you felt a sense of loss, and someone said that to you. She might not get the difference between 'miss' and feeling 'sad'. She should know it's just ok to feel as she does, and that she can let it out.

You say you're run off your feet. You mentioned your husband doesn't pull his weight with his kids every 2nd weekend, and that you are pressed for time. How about making a girl night for you and your little one - have a sleepover night for she and you in your bed, or movie night or whatever - just you two. I did that with mine when they were upset. Really helped.

Have her enjoy/engage in activities she enjoys with kiddos she has fun with and has opportunity to meet new ones. Then go and watch her when you can. She just needs you to give her that attention. Sometimes the youngest ones miss out - especially when the older ones are teens.

It's not always what you think is causing it (the sadness) - it's just a symptom of a bigger issue. She might just be feeling a little lost and neglected. A lot of changes and that's a big milestone year for kids - emotionally (maturity wise).

i'm glad you are aware of the changes in her and trying to help her.

i suggest you don't tell her not to be sad. has that ever worked for you?

instead of trying to talk her out of it, how about asking her some leading questions and inviting her to share with MORE deeply instead of less?

use the barbie if she finds it hard to address her sadness directly. tell her that you think barbie looks a little blue, and can she tell if something is bothering her? don't try to direct her answers or make them more cheerful. let her speak through barbie as much as she needs to.

then ask her how you and she can help barbie feel better.

listen. let her responses guide you as to how to proceed.

she may just need to be heard. she may need some one-on-one adventures. she may need counseling.

but first you need to acknowledge her loss and loneliness, not just explain them away.

i remember crying after sleepovers with my bestie when i was this age and younger. just telling me to stop it would never have worked.

khairete
S.

A Barbie doll is not the easiest toy to sleep with.
Time for a new stuffed animal and put the Barbie and picture away in a special place for awhile so your daughter quits dwelling on it.
She can look at it sometimes but not every day.
Sleeping with that stuff every night is like picking away at a scab and it's not letting her heal.

Everyone is sad sometimes.
It's good to experience the full range of all the emotions - you just don't want to get stuck on one.

Keep her busy and engaged in activities. Sometimes kids latch onto sadness for attention or even boredom. Give her lots of opportunity to talk and ask open ended questions. If it continues, yes, a little counseling may be in order.