Shy 2 year old - comments

[Namechangedforre]

Wondering if anyone has some advice or tips. My DD is absolutely adorable. At home and in environments she knows (eg her playgroup and classes) she is chatty and giggly and a lot of fun. However, when we go into new environments eg holidays or peoples house or shops - she totally changes. She goes really shy and often pulls on my leg and will look very upset and not speak to anyone. I guess she goes very shy. We are currently on holiday and all of the lovely staff keep trying to play with her or smile or ask her for a high five etc and she will just hide or look sad. I have tried encouraging her but she is just really shy.

It’s night two and a few people have made comments about how she is “stroppy” or “always tired” or “totally silent” or
”wow so quiet so weird’” it’s really upsetting me. I explain that she is just shy and to give her time but of course cannot say that to every person!

Is her behaviour normal? People just expect kids to be all animated and bubbly. She is not. Yes she is quiet and shy around new people but that doesn’t make her weird.

I am getting myself quite sad.

My nearly 3 year old DS is the exact same, though slowly outgrowing it. I don't see it as a problem at all, his confidence is growing and he's learning to evaluate new situations by himself. I actually try to avoid telling him to say hi to people, because I want him to rely on instincts / not say hello to the creepy man in the grocery store just because he's been told too.

When people make a rude comment or say "oh he's so shy!" I usually politely reply "he just takes his time to evaluate people" or "he takes a minute to take in his new settings". Some people find that rude, but my priority is my DS feelings, not theirs.

I was like this as a child, and two of my children as well. My daughter was terrified of people, I just let her stay with me and never tried to force her. I tried to chat and be friendly showing her it was okay (honestly hard for me because I'm still very shy myself) but tell people things like "DD is just going to watch for now, she will join in if she feels ready" and not make her feel bad about feeling shy. She is a social butterfly now and you wouldn't believe she's the same Child but definitely took her time to get there and get used to people.

My DD was the same at that age but we didn't tell her she is shy, we framed it that it takes her some time to get used to new people or places. Never forced her to interact with people and let her snuggle into me if she was happier doing that. She is now a very confident 7 year old!

Totally normal, as others have said.

My now 18 year old wouldn’t speak to anyone, but immediate family when he was the same age. If someone came in our house that he didn’t know well, he would hide his face in my lap or hide behind me. Took him to swimming lessons and had to go in the pool with him at the age of 4. He was desperate to play football and I took him when he was just nearly 5 and he joined in, but only if he could keep hold of my coat and drag me round the pitch with him. 😂 For the first few weeks, the other parents thought I was a coach.

When I got asked if he was shy, I would just say ‘he just likes to take a bit of time to get to know people’.

He got a bit better throughout primary school. The making of him was becoming a football referee. At 16 he was refereeing adult football, having banter with the players, explaining his decisions and standing his ground in the face of challenges by players.

They all come into their own and become more confident with the things they love and are comfortable with. I am sure your 2 year old will will do the same and decide what she is comfortable with and who she wants to talk to. Ignore anyone who may think she is shy or rude - she is just being herself at the age of 2.

They sound very rude and pass remarkable.
Shut it down.
Her behaviour is very normal.

be proud mom your child is well brought up and not an animal. she is able to conduct herself in a pleasant manner when your out and about, What kind of child abusing adult complains that a child is not wild enough? she is normal momma no worrying. i would seriously consider taking her from the adults who think things like that. imagine what there letting there kids get away with?

She's only 2, just a baby. Let her be her. It sounds like she's perfectly happy in environments she knows so I don't think you need to be concerned with anything.