Some days I wonder if my child is going to be anti-social. Today is one of those days. At the library today they have a special play time and then a music class which has grown to be a very large group of kids about 6 and under. While the classes change all the kids go into the children's area to play. I watch the other kids run and play and interact with each other while my son chooses to sit and read books and during the structured activities he participates about half the time but he's so quiet compared to everyone else.
Then right when I start to question if I'm doing enough with him outside of the house I think of days like yesterday when we were at a friends house. There were 4 of us moms, 7 kids and 3 babies. Monkey had a blast! He loved playing with his friends. He has some great friends that he's really close with and really enjoys spending time with.
So when I start to question what I'm doing and before I start trying to plan more things into our already over crowded schedule I need to remember that Monkey is just the type of child that needs a few close friends and not a large group. I need to remember that one of the reasons I love that I'm a homemaker and homeschooling is because Monkey wouldn't do well in a typical school setting. He wouldn't be successful in a room full of other children.
Do any other homemakers or homeschooling mama's have the same moments of doubt? How do you not give in to it?
I'm a stay-at-home mother of two kids. One is 5 and the other is 1. My 5 year old is very shy and I've wondered if not getting him out and around others too much has anything to do with it. I've noticed my 1 year old is starting to be the same too. I put my son in preschool and he did well but was very shy and didn't talk much unless he was asked to answer a question. I'm not going to home school so he's off to kindergarten in a few months. I'm hoping he'll get used to being around others and lose that shyness but I've also learned that I have to embrace this personality. My husband and I were both always shy people too. Some kids are naturally very outgoing and some aren't. That's okay. I'm sure your son is fine and will be okay. When introducing him to new people tell him it's okay to talk to them and interact with them. I like having a few close friends then a whole bunch too. Sounds like your son is very smart. I wouldn't worry.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment! I'm actually reading the book "The Hidden Gifts of the Introverted Child" by Marti Olsen Laney and it is really good so far. It really explains his personality in a way that I can understand. I actually more of an introvert myself so I know its ok to be shy but I also remember the struggles I had growing up. Actually struggles I still deal with today as God pushes me into uncomfortable roles like leading a moms group. It sounds like this book would be helpful to you too. They talk about how to help your child in experiences like school and ways to prepare them for the extroverted world.
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