Toddler "shyness"

[HappyBump]

Can anyone give some advice on the best way to deal when other people comment on my DS being shy?

My DS who is 2.2 can be quite quiet and nervous when he enters new situations and will hold on to me or "hide" behind my legs and often won't venture too far from me in unfamiliar situations. He plays well with other children generally (shares, etc.) but he doesn't seem to like being "forced" to be friendly, he usually just does things in his own time (fair enough). However, he seems more "shy" since I had my second child and doesn't like venturing very far from me at all and prefers that I play with him rather than other children. (I understand this is probably an attention thing as well as he is probably feeling a bit displaced).

However recently, so many people have commented that he is "shy" that if I ask him if he wants to play with someone. He says "No", "No shy!.

How is it best to deflect these comments or explain to him when it happens. I don't want him to be "labeled" (as such, I know he is only 2 ...) .. my DH has always been referred to as shy (which he isn't particularly) but he feels he was named this as a child and he started living up to it.

Any thoughts welcomed.

THanks

I am a shy grown up so this could be his personality which is not wrong. If someone sys my child is shy which all kids can be at times I say 'It's ok if they are shy and it will take them a little bit of time to settle in.' And i try to change the conversation once the focus is off of the child they often start to play wether or not that includes anyone else, kids don't really play together till playschool. This could be a phase and not need so much attention. Once your child starts playschool he will find his feet try not to label him so young and accept him for who he is kids usually thrive on the independence of playschool once they are used to the people and place, one of the staff will take him under their wing, make sure it is a very good playschool. Being shy is not bad, neither is being quiet these days everybody seems to think you all need to be loud and outspoken.

Thanks for your response. I also don't see any issue with being "shy" as such, it is just my son obviously is finding it is a negative sounding word. I will try and encourage him to see it more positively if people continue to use it.

A lot of toddlers are shy, my dd just 3 was very shy (no talking only to me or people she knows, and would cry and run away from new situatins), she turned 3 and has just started attending nursery attatched to her primary school and the transformation is amazing, she is more confident and speaks a more and is less afraid of new situations and its only been 2 weeks!. So dont worry, your ds is only little, once they start going to nursery/school, their social skills are more developed and are a little older he will probably come out of his shell.