Terrible morning with toddler

[sun3rain]

I went to a friend’s house for a play date yesterday with my toddler, who is 22 months old. From the point we went into the house he cried for pretty much the entire time we were there, whilst my friend’s child (who is the same age) played happily with the other two kids who were there (my friend had invited two other mums).

DS was momentarily okay playing with some toys on his own, until another child came and snatched one off him, at which point he burst into tears and was inconsolable again.

After 45 minutes of this I made my excuses and left as I felt so embarrassed.

DS is often very uncomfortable in social situations and it’s starting to really get me down. I feel like I can’t take him anywhere without this sort of thing happening, and it’s making me feel increasingly isolated.

What can I do?

Start slowly.

Invite one friend to your house so he is in his comfort zone. If you have a friend with an older or younger child that could be good so there is no direct pressure for them to play together.

Go to the playground and watch the other children, talk about them, see if he will play alongside them.

Build up to meeting a friend of the same age at your house or somewhere neutral that your DS is comfortable with. Try and keep things consistent so a few friends, a few places. Step by step.

If he's uncomfortable socially then three new adults and three new children in a new environment was probably just too much for him. There is no reason to be embarrassed and you should work through those feelings. The last thing your DS needs is to know that he embarrasses you because he isn't a social butterfly. Work on it before he is old enough to know.