anyone else have a toddler that doesn't smile much?

[haven]

ds really really is anti social...he won't smile in public ( exept very rarely ), he looks miserable and it hurts my feeling when people say, "not happy today", or "he doesn't like to smile"...he laughs at home when we tickle him or when he plays with the dog or with sister, but all in all he is just really passive...how can i help him to be more happy..

[Donbean]

My ds.
People comment on how sweet his face is when he smiles, and always add to that..."which isnt often"!
TBH it doesnt bother me at all, he is a serious little boy but is becoming more smiley as he ages.
I in no way see it as a reflection of his happiness or unhappiness because i know full well that he is a happy little chappy.
Its just the way he is.

[colditz]

My boy has a serious face too, but then so do I. It doesn't mean I'm not happy, and I assume the same is true for my ds. Who wants to grin like a loon all the bloody time anyway?

[tiffini]

My DS is a very happy little boy, always smiling at home. But in public he has a look of total devestation. So i know what you mean Haven, very extreme but i do worry people will think something is wrong at home.

[aloha]

Haven, I bet the are the same appalling people who say 'cheer up love it may never happen'. Put 'em all up against a wall, I say. Your ds is perfectly entitled to have any expression he likes. Don't let people like that worry you at all. Having a serious expresssion is not a sign of unhappiness. If people say stupid things just snap back, 'he's FINE, thanks'.

[Twiglett]

DS was a really solemn baby, watched everyone but didn't give many smiles

DS was then a fairly solemn toddler, seemed like he had his own agenda and he didn't see the point in smiling willy-nilly (beautiful soulful face he had)

As he approached his 3rd birthday he just started to beam

He's 4 now and you can't stop him laughing, grinning like a maniac, shrieking with glee

I miss my soulful face

[Mandymoo]

Hi
Please dont worry (i know! I know!). My DD never used to smile much and i used to dread people coming over and making a fuss cos she never put on a performance for them. I knew that she was happy and used to tell myself that she was saving all her beautiful smiles for her mummy and daddy!! It is hurtful when people make comments - i just wanted to yell "SHE DOES SMILE - HONEST!!". SOrry, have rambled. Basically, as long as your DS is happy then thats the main thing. Why should he smile when someone expects it???? XXXX

[zebraX]

DD stared at everybody...She was so still and blank-expression (plus small, blonde, bald & blue-eyed) that people (seriously) often took her for a doll in my pram. She only laughed at her brother until she was well over 1. She's still very serious & focused, some people just are. My boys are constant smilers, some things you can't programme into your kids.

[KMM7M]

Hi, I am so curious to know how DS is doing now? And all other people commented on this chat, can all comment back how your kid is doing now? I am kind of similar situation going through… I would like to talk if you give me your contact