How would you tackle a 2yr old worried about being shy?

[CaptainWarbeck]

DS (two and a half) will get himself all worried if we're going to a big family event, saying he feels a bit shy (I think just at the thought of it). He's always been a slow to warm up kid even as a baby.

He is always absolutely fine once he gets there and announces 'I don't feel shy any more Mummy!' Totally fine. Runs about chatting.

But how would you handle the car drive/morning beforehand where he's a bit mopey and whiney and says he doesn't want to go?

I don't want to ignore him but also don't want to make it a big deal and worse than it is.

He sounds very articulate for two so could you say - ‘remember what happened last time we went to X’s house?’ so that he focuses on the good time he had? Sorry if this isn’t appropriate for a two year old - it’s a long time since mine were that age! Or you could take a photo of him looking ‘unshy’ at an event and show him? Having said all that I think it’s brilliant he can express how he feels and there’s nothing wrong with feeling a bit nervous before big events, so you could just say ‘oh you’re feeling a bit shy are you?’ And leave it at that.

I have a da who is like that, he's now 6, so I'm not certain he's growing out of the initially worry, but is warming up quicker!?
I find the best thing is to reassure him that he can stay with us, and if it's a friends party that we will stay for as long as he needs us to. Sometimes he's great and just likes to know you are there.

Good advice, thanks both. Acknowledgment and reassurance I think.

3 yo DD often tells me she feels unsure about someth OMG (parties, family gatherings, doctors etc) I tell her it’s okay to feel unsure about going ( I try to avoid the word shy as don’t want to label her as shy). I tell her everyone feels unsure sometimes and then we talk in detail and often about what will happen, who will be there etc. I give her choices, i.e. you can choose to sit in the dentist chair by yourself or sit on Mommy’s knee etc.

I find all of this really helps prepare her for the event; she’s much calmer if she can anticipate what’s coming. I do the same thing during the event, just little reminders about what will be coming up and what’s happening “look DD that’s the dentists mirror on a stick that we talk about. He will use it to look inside your mouth and check your teeth”.