Feeling sad, worried about DS

My DS is 33 months old. He's this amazing, really bright, fun loving, happy and talkative little boy when he's home with us or my parents but when he's with other people, he's a completely different child

He's just so shy. Incredibly shy. He's doing a summer camp program (2.5hrs, 2 x week) with the same teacher he had for mommy and me and he's having a rough time. He never talks to the student teachers/aides except to say "no" or ask for "mama." He won't do the school project (which he did for a while at mommy and me). He's just so shy when he's around others and it scares me and literally pains me. I don't want him to miss out on the world bc he is shy. I want him to have friends and have fun. I want him to have self-confidence and trust in himself. I know he's only 2 (almost 3) but I feel like crying every time I see him not interacting at school like I know he can/should.He's the youngest in the class since he has an Oct birthday but still.

He's slow to warm up to people and I get that. We had people over this weekend and after a while (as in 2 hours) he was engaging with guests (kind of) and talking in their presence and was being his normal playful fun self. But it takes so long. He's fine in new places but just takes forever to engage/interact with others. He wants it - makes eye contact, walks over to people, sometimes touches them.

We have no behavior issues, nor any other issues. He's a great eater, sleeper, easy going, no big tantrums.

I'm just afraid and sad for him. I don't know how to help him. Don't know what to do. It just causes me so much anxiety. Mostly it just makes me sad inside

Re: Feeling sad, worried about DS

Oh- I am sorry. It is so hard feeling helpless when you see your child having a hard time.

You say it takes him a while to warm up to adults- is he the same with other children? Maybe you can arrange one on one playdates at your house (where he is most comfortable) with other kids his age. That may break the ice a little.

I have two sons, ages 4 and 2. The 4 year old interacts with friends. But I remember at 2, they mostly parallel play without much dialogue or interaction. So he still has plenty of time to cultivate skills to interact with others- he is still so young. I bet it will just take him some time.

Re: Feeling sad, worried about DS

DD was 3 in March and very similar to your DS. She is also extremely shy. She did well in her school program since there were only 9 kids in her class. She got to know them and like them. No she is in a 1 day a week summer program and there are more like 20 kids in the class and she is lost. Cries when i drop her off. It hurts my heart, but I know it's the best thing for her.

I am hoping that in time she grows out of this phase and that she will not always be super shy.

Feeling sad, worried about DS

my dd is the same way. she is 3.5 and she is much better now than she was at 2/2.5. she started daycare around 2.5. we thought maybe we didnt socialize her enough when she was an infant b.c she always takes a long time to warm up to people or interact with other kids. i think other kids overwhelm her. they run around and behave like the way kids should behave and it makes her a little withdrawn. so when we first started school, she did the crying thing at drop off but now she walks right in and is happy to go to school. the teachers say she is social and that she is not afraid to go off and play with what she wants to play. also, she never used to go inside bounce houses or those play places. she would just watch the other kids play and rather stand by my side. now, she is much better! give him some time and just keep trying to bring him to events with lots of kids. soon he will be joining in on the fun.

Re: Feeling sad, worried about DS

Message edited 7/25/2012 5:33:29 PM.

Re: Feeling sad, worried about DS

Re: Feeling sad, worried about DS

Feeling sad, worried about DS

I was a VERY shy child. Like sit under my mom's chair when family was over. I didn't want to talk to people, look at people, etc. It took me a long time to get over it. I am still shy around new people but noting near where I used to be. Nothing ever happened to me, my mom was a SAHM for the most part, I wasn't overly attached to her. It's just my personality.
I made plenty friends in school and did eventually outgrow it. But it took me a long time to warm up too.

I think it's just the child. Nothing wrong with it and I think putting him school, camp is great. It might seem wrong now but he will get used to it.