Advice needed please

Sorry to intrude on your board but I'm worried about my 5 year old niece. She's going to be six in August and is painfully shy. She has now reverted back to sucking her thumb. She's very withdrawn when she's around people and gets a very sad look about her when someone talks to her younger sister. It almost feels like she thinks the person doesn't like her or something.

Any suggestions on what I can do to help her? As a person that grew up seriously lacking in the self esteem department, I really don't want my niece to go through the same thing.

Thanks in advance

Re: Advice needed please

I don't think it's too late for her to come out of her shell. I think she needs to be around anyone who isn't in her "comfort zone" (aka mom, dad, siblings, aunts, etc). Being around strangers will get her to open up eventually... I'll have to worn you, though, it's going to take some time (and tears), but hang in there!

Re: Advice needed please

Thanks for the input. I'm just so worried about her especially since she's sucking her thumb again. She's so cute and such a smart litle thing but when she's around people, you'd never know it.

Re: Advice needed please

When I was concerned about my niece I used to tell them stories about when I was younger, people I knew, any story that would convey that being unsure of themselves is completely normal.

I do know that sports are supposed to help girls' self esteem. Also if you think it's social issue, you may want to grab Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence. I realize it's on adolescence but bullying starts very early these days.