My 2-year-old son is REALLY shy. If we go the playground and there is even one other kid playing on the far opposite side of the play equipment he won’t set foot on it. He shies away from other kids entirely. Even if they are much younger. He’s frightened of people in our home. If his aunt or uncle comes over (whom he’s seen on many occasions) he’ll run and hide or try to climb into a cabinet to escape their “piercing eyes”. Both my husband and I were very shy as children and I read somewhere that shyness can be genetic.(?) I feel terrible that he has so little contact with other children, but we’ve tried everything. He even has a little cousin his age and we had about 4 play dates until we had to stop because our little guy would scream and cry and cling to us and say “home, home, home, mommy please home” (as we met in the park since he is so upset by visitors in our home) and it just got worse with each visit. Not better. Worse. Help! What are your thoughts?
2006-07-09 18:18:08 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
May I just say that my pediatrician is very unconcerned about the whole thing (I kind of feel a little blown-off in fact). He says that my little one will outgrow it. But it’s so painful to watch my little guy go through this, I’d like to ease his distress in any way possible.
2006-07-09 19:10:53 · update #1
Wow. I am so, so sorry to hear that. Let me first say that I don't have any children but I think what I would do in this situation is talk to my pediatrician and see what s/he suggests to do to overcome this unfounded fear. I'd definitely want to fix this before it carries over into his childhood and adult life. Best of luck to you! :)
Edit: If you're feeling blown off by your pediatrician, I'd find a new one. I believe that if it's a big deal to you, it should be a big deal to them. Also, I love Desiree's answer. I hope that works for you. :)
2006-07-09 18:25:08 · answer #1 · answered by UniqueIsWhoSheIs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both of my kids have had this reaction and still do...however, it has gotten better. Both of my kids were diagnosed w/sensory integration dysfunction and social/adaptive behavior. With my kids I have to have a routine in place and if something new is going to happen I need to let them know to prepare them for it. They also want a little control over the situation. My kids do it with my family if they have not seen them in a little while but if they(family) leave them alone and don't make a big deal of it then my kids come around.
I would check with your pediatrician just to see if they can rule anything else out...it could be nothing or something like my kids have....
2006-07-09 18:38:37 · answer #2 · answered by Deb1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is very shy indeed. My kids are both home schooled, but thank God we have neighbor kids who come to our house to play on a daily basis...and my kids are as outgoing as these kids- if not more.
Hug him a lot..tell him you love him every day...and never make him feel bad about not being the way you want him to be. Relax, Mom....and just be a good example...talk to people...smile at people...but don't expect him to follow right away....don't give up on him...one day he will outgrow it...at least most of it. Look at what his strengths are and help him excel in areas he can make use of those strengths in...which will make him more confident and eventually leads to a more outgoing little person. May God bless you and your family.
2006-07-09 19:50:03 · answer #3 · answered by justmemimi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem with my daughter. The best thing for us was to enroll her in as amny activities as possible she took gymnastics horseback riding then we found a half day preschool that was the key kids her own age whom she didnt have to be around that long she really enjoyed it and only cried maybe once(this from a child who would throw up she cried sooo hard)it really helped she is very interactive now. Hope that helped
2006-07-10 03:25:12 · answer #4 · answered by jolie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had an experience like this with a child before. I recommend doing what we did (the parents and I). The child did everything your did and was even the same age too. We took him to see a baby in a carriage, to the hospitals to see babies, gave him a doll and had him pratice with it. We graduated him slowly by talking to him about his fears and explaining how they could not happen so he could understand. Sat nearby while a very tiny baby (just starting to crawl) was laying nearby. We had him do to the baby what he had done with the doll... feeding with bottle, stroking the hair, giving her toys. He was more confident for having tried it out first with a doll. But we did not push, we waited till he wanted to go to her. We had to wait out about 10 mins of fussing to leave at first, but after he saw that she did not pose a threat and so warmed up to her. Try that.
2006-07-09 18:40:23 · answer #5 · answered by Desiree M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's at the typical age for shyness and being clingy to the parents. Don't worry about it unless it carries on for more than a year. You should start to see him become more independent and less shy closer to his 3rd birthday. Our 4 year old didn't want us around after she turned 3 and she was very shy...not quite as shy as your's but didn't want to interact or be around other kids or adults.
2006-07-09 18:26:37 · answer #6 · answered by Ellen M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 Social Reprogramming Method : http://SocialAnxiety.uzaev.com/?SNMD
2016-06-21 05:38:45 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him extra love and attention. The more secure he feels, the less shy he'll be.
2006-07-09 20:18:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try putting him in daycare were neither you or your husband have contact with him.
good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-09 18:35:23 · answer #9 · answered by shania02 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋