Just that really. I have a 3.5 yo DS who is incredibly shy and sensitive. I know this is probably his personality (takes after me!) but I don't know any other children his age who are like it.
A good example is birthday parties. We get invited to quite a few and he HATES them. If it's a soft play party he will just play very quietly with me, he doesn't do any of the diving head first into the ball pit, running round shrieking, throwing himself down the slide the other children do. If it's an activity based party with an entertainer, he will just sit on my lap, hide his face and not join in.
He is very chatty and confident with adults he knows but he really doesn't seem to enjoy the company of other children. There is only one little girl he enjoys playdates with and I think that's because she is pretty quiet herself - the two of them just walk around holding hands and chatting. If another child tries to hug or kiss him, pushes him or tries to take his toy he NEVER pushes them away or shouts etc - if something's bothering him he either bursts into tears or runs to me and hides.
He goes to nursery 3 days a week and has been since he was a year old so I had really hoped this would help him socialise.
I was very similar as a child and so was my DH and tbh even now neither of us are very social or enjoy parties, large social gatherings, noisy busy places (though we do have friends!) so I know this is probably just what he is like but I also know that due to the above things I found school and growing up quite difficult and I don't want that for DS.
I would just like him to be able to stand up for himself a little bit. Nursery say it will come with time.
Anyone else's kid like this?