Bromeliad flowers don't last indefinitely. They die back, and the plant will often begin to develop offsets, or 'pups' as they are called. This turn of events signals the dieing back of the mother plant, and the development of the new generation. However, you'll get more meaningful suggestions if you can pinpoint the type of bromeliad you have. Is it one that you are supposed to keep the central vase filled with water? Here is a link that might be useful: Bromediad images

okay...it's the kind with really long, thin, green leaves that are like blades. There were two flowers at the top. They were bright pink in color. It looks to me like it's the kind with "cups" that you could fill. The leaves are shaped so that when I spray water over it, the water collects at the base of each leaf. The pot it came in is very small (about 5-6 in) and the plant fans out very wide. Does this help??? Thanks so much!

Thanks so much guys for all the advice. I'm trying to do a bit of everything with SD11, which works well because I'm not creating a pattern with all these different responses :-) For example when she says something negative we don't comment on it but instead ask her to now also mention something positive. We pay attention to her activities and encourage her, focusing on what she's good at doing, rather than how she looks. (And she is a pretty little girl with long curly blond hair) Sometimes I ask her if she likes what I'm wearing and of course that is always a 'yes'. I then agree that I also like that shirt/dress etc. And we have a laugh, Vicky mentioned that Paris Hilton has huge feet so that is always brought up when she mentions her own feet (they are big I can understand she doesn't like it). And yes we do look for shoes that will disguise that a bit too. I love Audrey Hepburns Tips by the way! And thanks for recommending the Greater Good Parenting website, I'll have a look at that next. And I almost forget to say the most important thing; it is getting better, SD11 is not saying those things as much anymore. Thanks again everybody

You can go to work for me if you are bored! I have two days off this week, today and tomorrow, but tomorrow is all doctor appts so today is my "me" day, I am still in bed with my kitties and watching "People's Court" and needlepointing and checking in with all of you. Minnie, that is my kind of vacation, I need a vacation FROM my vacations! BTW, my Minnie is curled up next to me on the bed, purring away,