All-Embracing Ways to Parent a Shy Kid

by ParentCo. April 27, 2017

Our daughter spent 18 months in day care. Not once did she speak during the entire period she was there. J, you see, is a shy child – a “slow to warm up” child. This was not our first experience raising a shy child. Our firstborn son had been a shy child, too. Raising the first child is often tricky because you never know whether you should be pushing more or less. We often felt embarrassed when he refused to say hi or sad when we found him, for the umpteenth time, playing alone in a corner. He hid behind us when he saw people he knew. We wondered whether it was shyness or clinginess. Did the difference matter? Was it something in the way we parented? How were we to react? Was it a passing phase? parent co is seeking writers to pay for original submissions We worried he would slip between the cracks in school, that his shyness would be a handicap for life. Back then, we made more mountains out of molehills. We were much more worried and frustrated than we were with J. As it turned out, we should have worried less. By the time he turned six, our son was nothing of his former self. He became so vocal that the days of worry were soon replaced with moments of embarrassment. He has retained some of his former shyness, but we now know shyness can be a strength and not necessarily a weakness. Having lived through the experience of raising a “slow to warm up” firstborn, we were much more relaxed with our daughter. We stopped feeling the need to justify or explain her behavior. When her kindergarten teacher asked whether she could speak, we confidently said she could, but that she would only speak in school when she was ready. Although the literature about dealing with shy children abounds, it can be somewhat alarming. One study found that being a highly sensitive child may increase one’s chances of developing anxiety disorders later on in life. Researchers have found that shyness is part of a child’s temperament and can be quite persistent. But there is hope. Shyness is not necessarily a handicap, and shy children can learn to be more confident during social encounters. So how do you support your shy child? Below are some of the things we’ve learned with time:

Be warm and responsive

A recent study found that parenting played an important role in helping shy children deal with their shyness. Researchers from the University of Maryland found that having a secure attachment lowered the risk of developing anxiety disorders later on in life. They urge parents to be nurturing and responsive to children’s distress. Parents should also know that their kids watch and model their behavior.

Accept your child

In a society that values verbal expression, being a shy child can be difficult for both children and their parents. So what can you do?
  • Create an environment in which your child feels comfortable.
  • Avoid putting your child on the spot by asking her to do things you know are difficult for her in public (like asking her to sing).
  • Avoid negative comparisons.
  • Learning to listen with empathy will make your child open up more.
  • Prepare him. Always talk to your child about what is to be expected. Prepare him for new experiences by telling him about them.
  • Let your child know that it’s okay to be quiet and to enjoy quiet moments by herself.

Avoid labels

Being shy is not synonymous with having a problem. When your child is quiet but nice to be around and happy, there is no need to be apologetic for her shyness. When you repeatedly explain to people that he’s “a shy child”, your child may begin to think of his shyness as a negative and permanent condition and is bound to feel even shyer. Being slow to warm up to strangers and suffering from chronic shyness are two different things. Focusing on positive traits also determines how others see your child. Instead of seeing your child as “really shy,” see him or her as attentive, private-focused, reserved, and peaceful.

Nudge them out of their comfort zone

Some researchers suggest that overprotecting a cautious kid may make matters worse. But making a shy child come out of his or her shell requires a lot of patience and is a rather delicate issue: The harder you push, the more your child is likely to resist. A few things should be kept in mind:
  • Do not try to change a shy child’s fundamental nature.
  • Take very small incremental steps. Encourage play dates. If your child wants to go on a play date but is afraid, you can start by having other kids over to your house.
  • Avoid making unreasonable demands. Think about your child’s character and praise him for specific accomplishments.
  • Nudging your child out of her comfort zone can be achieved by telling her what is expected. For example, you can tell your child that all she is expected to do is say hello.
  • Reassure them. Stay with them at a party if need be, or clearly explain to them when you’ll be back and gradually reduce the time you spend with them.

Know when it’s time to seek help

Shyness, unfortunately, can point to more serious problems. It’s time to see a therapist if:
  • Your child’s shyness is causing you and him a lot of distress.
  • Your child is withdrawn even at home and is not easy to be around.
  • When her shyness is preventing her from participating in social events.
  • When he has a lot of behavioral problems.
  • When she avoids eye-to-eye contact.
Have you had any experiences of raising a shy child? We’d love to hear about them in the comments section. This article originally published on www.raising-independent-kids.com.


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