Anyone have a really shy child?

My DS is almost 21 months and he is so very shy. He's always been very serious and reserved with strangers but it's starting to concern me.

He doesn't do well in certain situations and is really clingy and cries. I enrolled him in the Little Gym and he cried for part of the class for the 1st five weeks. He didn't warm up to it until we were about 2/3 of the way through a 20 week session. Same thing with our library playgroup. He did better here but it still took 2-3 times before he wasn't clingy and crying.

BUT, in other situations he's fine. When we've been to see the GI (only twice in the last few months) he's fine. Walks around the busy waiting room, doesn't cry with the Dr. Same at Stride Rite - walks around, explores, lets the salesmen put the shoes on him

He's so uncomfortable around new people or even people he's seen before but on a rare occasion will be fine with a random new person.

We've had someone new over our house 3-4 times in the last couple of weeks and he avoids her and won't play with her. He just clings to me.

It's really concerning me and I don't know what to make of it or how to help. Will he just outgrow this? Soon? I was a shy child but nothing like this.

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Message edited 6/30/2011 12:02:31 PM.

Re: Anyone have a really shy child?

my ds (20 months) is similar to yours. Except hates the doctors office and when they go to measure his shoes. He did suprise us when we did go on vacation though.

I have found the best way to handle it is leave him in his stroller and let him get comfortable himself. I also try and discourage strangers or people he doesn't see that often from saying hello first. I just explain he isn't a fan of people and will warm up on his own. It is hard but it is just a phase they will eventually grow out of. I also think once they can communicate the crying will stop hopefully.

Good Luck

Re: Anyone have a really shy child?

My DD is the same way (she is 20 months). She's been this way for quite a while. To be honest, we just started noticing more of a change in her recently and she seems to be getting more comfortable in new situations and/or around new people. But for the most part, whenever we go somewhere new or new people are around she does take a while to warm up. Most of our friends and family know and they usually give her her space at first which works well (just like the previous poster mentioned). Never a good idea to get right in DDs face .

I'm thinking it's because she is getting a older and also that she is starting to remember people that she is getting a little better. Hopefully it continues. I know I was very shy when I was little too. It's just a phase and they'll grow out of it.