Help My sister is harming herself and i don't know how what to do

[Imhopeless]

My sister is 12 and when I went to her room today she hid something, she pulled her sleeves down and covered something on her legs. I'm not stupid, I asked her what she was doing but she only told me to go away. I saw a pencil sharpener on her bed without the razors and so I took it. I want to tell my mom but I don't know how. I know it's going to be humiliating for her, my sister i mean, and at the same time I was her age once, I did stupid shit and also cut myself. But I don't know if she knows the difference between being curious and just trying it or if she's seriously trying to harm herself.

How should I tell my mom about it? I know if I try to talk about with her she'll just flip out on me and tell me to leave her alone. I don't want to make this more difficult than it has to be. Please give me some advice.

 

[deadbidaylight]

I wouldn't tell your mom at this point. I would try to sit and speak with her. Don't scold her for what she's doing. Be a shoulder and an ear for her. She might need someone to talk to, and maybe you could be that person for her. Let her know you've been where she is and try to relate to her. Open up a bit about your own struggles so that she's more apt to open up herself.

If you tell your mom or scold her, it's probably not going to stop. She will find a way to continue and resent you for telling on her. You won't be able to help her then.

I understand your panic. And first thought would be to tell an authority figure, but sometimes that's not always the best first course of action. Don't encourage the behaviour, but don't try to associate negativity with the actions or she will shut down. It's a sensitive subject, so she will be defensive. Try and speak with her from an empathetic stance, and if she lashes out, remove yourself and try again later. Try your best to stay calm. If you can't, again remove yourself and try later. Be the person you wish you had when you were her age and struggling.

 

[TiredMouse]

Maybe offer alternatives that don't scar like snapping a rubber band.

 

[Life Is My Coffin]

Tell her to use a marker and to draw a line on her skin every time she wants to cut herself.

It doesn't give any pain, but it shows the permanent effect of leaving marks on your body and gives a long term impression of how the damage to your skin can look if you continue to self-harm. It's at least a good method that convinced me to stop doing it

 

[Mäximum]

I wouldn't tell your mom at this point. I would try to sit and speak with her. Don't scold her for what she's doing. Be a shoulder and an ear for her. She might need someone to talk to, and maybe you could be that person for her. Let her know you've been where she is and try to relate to her. Open up a bit about your own struggles so that she's more apt to open up herself.

I think that this is the best advice. I'd also suggest that you do this.

 

[Praestat_Mori]

Are there reasons why she would do SH? I mean, why would she do it? What triggers her behavior? Why did you SH? Could your sister have the same reasons like you had?

Idk how you can approach this but be her anchor of trust and try to solve her problems that are triggering her SH together.