Next week I am speaking in London, Ont about dealing with "discipline resistant" kids as I describe in my book "Honey, I Wrecked The Kids". I thought I'd give you a little nudge to remember to buy tickets and to tell your friends. But also, (yikers) I happened to noticed that the address for the Wolf Performance Theater was posted incorrectly. It is 251 Dundas (not 51 Dundas). Ya, sure you London library patrons know that, but I'd hate to send the out-of-towners on a goose chase.
Is anyone is keen on socializing after the talk? Maybe someone from London could recommend a good place to grab a glass of wine or pint in walking distance from the event and we could keep the fun going? Sound good? Lemme know!
How about we go for coffee and dessert and really treat ourselves at Williams? Or we could go grab some nice hummus and fatoush salad at Barakats. They have awesome fresh mango and strawberry juices. And for those that never got to eat dinner, they could order some shwarmas or a dinner plate.
Posted by: Shahin P | April 28, 2010 at 03:37 PM
Hi Alyson, Hope you or your audience can help. My 11 year old is extremely shy. She has been since birth (I know it seem odd but it's true!). She she have been active in play groups (with and without parents) as a toddler. Has gone to day care and pre-school. Been enrolled in many extra curricular activities involving groups. She took drama classes for many years (I read a number of actors caught the acting bug after being enrolled in drama classes as a way to overcome shyness).
She is still extremely shy - even around people she has know her whole life and kids she has gone to school with since JK.
She avods talking to people and now seem socially awkward. i worry that she is missing out on a lot due to extreme shyness.
At what point should I stop saying 'oh she will grow out of it' and start considering professional help? Where would I go for professional help?
Appreciate any support you can provide.
Posted by: worried mom | June 23, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Hello Worried Mom,
There is a range of sociability from recluse to extreme (Paris Hilton maybe?)
If you yourself are more extraverted you may sense the shyness of your introverted daughter as being more problematic for her than she herself feels its a problem. You feel she is missing out - but she is still taking part in classes etc. to her level of comfort.
Can you share what makes you feel its a problem for her? ( does she say she is anxious or lonely or unhappy? )
Has she had friendships?
Typically "shy" children hold a tremendous amount of passive power. They don't do ANYTHING they don't want to. They actually are commanding their lives very well, just not in a way that may suite others.
Let me know more and I'll help if I can.
Alyson
( we should probably post this under a different area so people can find the thread more easily)
Posted by: Alyson Schafer | June 24, 2010 at 09:08 AM