Okay ladies, here’s a question for you…
My 5 year old daughter can be VERY shy at times, but only in certain circumstances. She is fine when we are at home, and always very open and friendly with people of all ages who come to our house. She enjoys playing with other kids (both at our house, and when she goes to others’ houses) and does fine even in organized group situations, such as Sunday School. However, if we meet people in other places – say we pass them while we are out walking or meet them in a store, even someone she knows well, she freezes up, refuses to speak to them, and sometimes even runs away. When she was a bit younger I sort of chalked it up to immaturity, but it’s not getting any better as she gets older and now is really bordering on downright rudeness. I don’t want to let this sort of behavior get any further ingrained into her, but at the same time don’t want to embarrass or shame her. I actually had similar sorts of problems as a child, and a very similar personality to hers, and so know from experience that I tread a very delicate line in urging her to right behavior and kindness to others without shaming or embarrasing her. (I was shamed and embarrassed in these kinds of situations as a child, and it really only made it worse.) Any ideas, ladies?
Thanks much!