Help bringing a two year old out of his shell

[SMarie123]

Hello!

I gave a lovely boy, 2 years old exactly. He is very kind and sensitive. However when ever we go to a child's birthday party or family gathering he is very reserved for a long time. He often wants to escape with me to a room with nobody else and then he is in great form. As soon as we are back to the others he is clingy and easily upset and constantly trying to escape to somewhere with me/ my husband.

Any tips to make him more comfortable? Is this a common phase?

[fruitpastille]

It's a very common phase in my experience. My older DC were like this for quite a while to be honest and I know of others too. Usually they grow out of it but it's frustrating at times!

[ASqueakingInTheShrubbery]

DD was just like this. We took her to a friend's birthday party and the first thing she said was to tell birthday girl's dad it was too loud, then clung to us and cried, occasionally tentatively exploring before boomeranging back. Since she turned 4 she has become much more confident and now quite enjoys nursery friends' parties, coming back to me for reassurance from time to time. Other nursery mums say that theirs were similar. It's almost certainly a phase that will pass.

[TanteRose]

still very little at 2 yrs.

My DS was sooo shy, wouldn't speak to anyone, would hide behind me etc.

Then when he was about 3 or 4 (can't remember, he's a 6ft 18 year old now), he completely came out of his shell.
Don't force him to do anything - it will give him more confidence if you say its fine for him to be reserved and he can do it in his own time.

[EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic]

Completely agree with the others. 2 is still really a baby and the best thing you can do is to not force him to do anything. If he’s worried it’s fine for him to sit on your lap for the entire party if that’s what he wants to do.

[Echobelly]

I think you just have to wait for it to pass. DS has always essentially been very outgoing but between the ages of 2-3 he did get clingy at parties, they seem to get over it by school age.

[SMarie123]

Thanks so much for all the helpful comments. I was hoping it is a phase and I can just give him reassurance. I think it is really in my radar because I was a shy child and I hated it. He has a much more stable life and I hope he grows out of it by school age.

[Doboopedoo]

Just for a different angle, my 2.5 year old was always very clingy with anything or anyone new, and took ages to move away from me in any situation like that. We found out six weeks ago that she is very long sighted, and since getting her glasses has become more confident and easy-going -probably because it’s not just a blur of noises any more! It was picked up by HV noticing a slight squint, we had no idea before. It’s a very difficult one to spot at this age but if you did have concerns then an optician can see them.