Comments on: She’s not shy; She’s introverted

By: Kimberly Hutchings Hibler

Kimberly Hutchings Hibler — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:04:00 +0000

I only realized within the last few years that I’m NOT shy, I’m introverted. It makes so much sense!!! My life makes sense now!
I stumbled to this post looking for ways to help my daughter, age 7. Her 2nd grade teacher emailed me telling me that she is unhappy and just wants to be alone. Her teacher also said she has a hard time reading people and situations. Did anyone ever get that back from a teacher? I asked my daughter about it and she said she just wants everyone to go away so she can do her work in quiet. I promised her I would make sure she had some alone time each day if she did her best to try and focus with everyone around. Her teacher makes it seem like there’s a problem and has gone to the school counselor without talking to me first. How do you help them to deal with the mass amounts of “socializing” that HAS to happen at school? I’ve already loaded a few books onto my kindle to see if they will help me get some better ideas of how to help her. I have a hard time because even though I’m an introvert, I also was able to just tune everyone out and focus on my school work. It helped me feel like I was in my head, alone.

By: Eunice B

Eunice B — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 18:34:00 +0000

In reply to Erin. The best way to make friends is to go up to the person on their own in a party. I have met so many wonderful people that way. When you do that you are the life of the party to them.

By: Eunice B

Eunice B — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 18:32:00 +0000

I am definitely an introvert who loves to socialize. I always hated being called shy, people should never call a child shy. It made me feel paralyzed to be myself and it was like people were telling me my “me” was not good enough. I have no shell to come out of. 🙂 I have 2 extrovert girls and 2 (one not totally sure of) introvert boys. I know it is ok when one wants to play on there own or just rest on their own away from the rest of the family for a while. I know that in a busy day I need to make time for them to relax (umm, mainly me!).

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 10:53:00 +0000

I have an introverted ‘child’ who is now 19. As I’m extroverted it has been an interesting parenting journey, we have both had to learn to respect and appreciate each others differences. To communicate and to listen, to realise that our differences are okay. We have had some tough times occasionally but have a wonderful relationship now. Dd is at College now but we have great indepth conversations on the phone.

One thing though that I didn’t budge on, whilst I respected her need for introverted times I also insisted on her displaying good social manners and in learning to be social despite the fact that her preference would have been to happily sit in the corner. She is now grateful for this and will be the first to go up to a ‘loner’ in a group situation and make them feel welcome. Not necessarily being the life of the party but smoothing the way for others. I’m so proud of her, she has so many talents, natural and learnt.

By: Gwen Filipski

Gwen Filipski — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:52:00 +0000

I think it’s important to point out that introversion can dispose a child to shyness if they aren’t able to make and cultivate meaningful relationships to build up their social skills. I was extremely introverted as a child, and have suffered from social anxiety and agoraphobia since adolescence. In addition to being sensitive to the introverted child’s need to regroup and process, it’s necessary that when in a group they are effectively connecting to the people around them and not just skimming the surface, or flitting from group to group without connecting. A few close friends go a lot further for the introvert than a wide circle of friends.

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:50:00 +0000

In reply to Ella. true! thanks for the comment. :)

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:49:00 +0000

In reply to Isabelle. Wow, that's such an amazing thing for her to say. Kind of says it all, doesn't it?

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:49:00 +0000

In reply to Laurie. Yes, that book was published after I wrote this post. I still need to read. Thanks for the recommendation!!