Parents of shy children, how do you explain it to other people without labelling?

[mamacoffee]

hi

3yo ds is shy, ive always avoided using the word shy with him because i don't want to label him and for it to become a self fulfilling prophesy iyswim. but increasingly when with other people, strangers in cafes that kind of thing, im having to explain or say something when people say hello and are met with a blank face or are met with ds hiding behind me or something. im sure he'll become more confident as he grows older and starts school etc, and he'll become his own person, whether that is shy/introvert or otherwise, but how do i explain to other people in a polite way why they haven't got a smily chatty response without constantly saying 'hes just being shy' or 'oh hes a little shy'. would be grateful for ideas!

thanks.

I think it's very normal for a child to react the way you describe when faced with strangers (however nice). And I think that the strangers who are in the habit of talking to small children probably get that reaction a lot so there's probably no need to explain anything.

If you worry about repeating the word shy you could perhaps use a range of descriptions which he won't understand anyway (yet) like 'he's not feeling very outgoing today' or 'talkative' sociable'.

He will grow out of it, - both my sons were like this and now at 6 and 8 it's all I can do to stop them telling strangers their life story

Lol that's good to know about your boys, I am committed to supporting ds to thrive in his own personality but I do want him to be confident and assertive so it's good to hear he will develop iyswim!

I like the idea of using different words that's a really good idea, thank you.