Hi, I'm new on here : )
My 20 month old daughter is terrified of everyone - kids and adults. I've tried taking her to story time @ the library, but she runs to the door and says "go", tries to get out and then starts crying. If anyone comes near us at the playground, she starts crying or panicks and asks for me to pick her up. I signed her up for kindermusik, which starts next week, but I'm beside myself. My older daughter (now 5) was like this to some degree when she was this age, but I don't remember it being so severe. ANY ADVICE!?!?! It upsets me because we have a bunch of friends we hang out with who have kids similar ages and she's so scared of them : (
Thank you everyone : )
I'm hoping it's a phase that passes quickly - I get so stressed and upset to see her so scared of everyone. I wish I could do something to let her know there's nothing to be afriad of. We start our music classes on Tuesday, so I really hope that helps her out. My older daughter was the same way and now she is so outgoing and talkative... guess it will pass. : )
Oh, you are not alone. My niece (sister's only daughter) was exactly like this. She would just glare at anyone who came close to her and how if her momma left her.
At the time my sister was a teacher (still is) and she had to quit teaching to take care of her daughter. She would cry all day long for her and only stop when she came. After 2 weeks her care provider couldn't take it anymore.
And my son is just 10 days older, who is a social butterfly, and when we would visit, it was so interesting to observe. But she, the niece like your baby, loved her cousin, my son. They are still very close to this day. And yes, she eventually out grew this timid, shy, stay away from me phase.
If she is been mostly at home, I could see how the outside world could be scary for her, but the only way to overcome her perceived fear of the people is to actually be around the people and with a little comfort from mommy help reassure her so she can get comfortable.
For starters, choose places where there are just a few kids/adults, go to the library when it's likely to be less crowded and possibly not force her to interract until she is ready.
Just keep exposing her to other people like you're doing. It's a phase that will pass. You might try having her watch her older sister interact with others and maybe she will see the fun she is having.
This is the same question I asked when I joined mamapedia too, only my DD was about 4 months old. It wore me out and put a real damper on my social life but it did pass. She is 2.5 yrs now and today when we got home from preschool she told me she wanted to go back to school! Funny how things change. : )
