Rude or shy?

[3littlebadgers]

My 4.3 DD refuses to talk to anyone she is not in very regular contact with. I try to smooth over any embarrassment caused by what comes across as her being rude and always gently remind her that it is polite to reply to people and makes them feel happy. She always says she is shy and promises she will try to reply next time. Sometimes she has gone the total other way and made a comment which comes across as being really conceited or sarcastic. She is such a lovely little girl it breaks my heart the way she comes across because in everyday life, with the people she knows she is such a joy.
Wwyd?

Try not to be embarrassed by your DD this will make her lack of confidence worse. It also sounds like she is only trying to be what she has heard she is... shy, which she obviously isn't as she is such a joy with people she knows. From my experience children pick up on what they hear and try to fit the mold . If she doesn't reply ignore it as people never expect a child to reply if they are not very familiar with them and remember it is never a sign of rudeness, after all it is healthy and safer for a child to be wary of adult strangers.

I have exactly the opposite problem, my son will talk to absolutely everyone and anyone and I worry about that too. He can't think that everyone is his friend. Perhaps we should get them to play together in the hope they learn a little bit from the other?

I do agree with the other poster, don't worry about it or focus on it. And don't worry what others think of her. Easier said than done, I know.

postmantwat great idea