Raising the Shy Child: A Parent’s Guide to Social Anxiety
With specific strategies to address school refusal, bullying, and identity issues, Raising the Shy Child is a must-read resource for anyone dedicated to enhancing the lives of children
“She’s just shy…”
I’d like to try and explain social anxiety to you. Have you ever seen a cat who met a snake? They are hunched in a locked stance with one foot stuck in the air because they are not sure of their next move. Imagine holding that pose everyday for years and never being able to put that foot down. It is an all-consuming and exhausting position that disrupts your entire life.
I saw the new book, Raising the Shy Child, that claimed to have strategies and stories that untangle social anxiety and I had to read it. My children seem to be very social creatures who are comfortable in their own skin but that was something they learned despite my shortcomings in this area. The whole, ‘fake it until you make it’ strategy has not actually ever worked for me and I am always open to learning more tips and tricks to overcome anxiety. I thought that a book that helps parents who are raising a shy child may actually help me learn some new and different ways that I can deal with my own shyness. At the very least, it couldn’t hurt to know how this new resource addresses ways to raise children who need special advice and guidance on getting through normal childhood situations that those with anxiety find especially difficult.
As someone who grew up being shy, it is interesting to hear the misconceptions about shy children that may be fostered in our society. Shy children (or people in general!) may be labeled by those who do not understand social anxiety to be arrogant or lazy. Yikes! Fonseca’s perspective does a great job on giving the reader insight into shyness, plenty of opportunity for own self-reflection, and allows many fantastic points that show shyness actually has its own strengths.
What makes this book stand out, to me, is the tips, suggestions and worksheets to helping parents determine if and when they should intervene. That is right, there are times when intervening is not recommended for a shy child and, as a parent, I think it is important to understand why. Social anxiety affects roughly 9-12% of our overall population, so this is a common issue for children and adults so I think this is a must-read guide for educators and managers alike. If you have a Myers-Briggs introvert in your group, I think it is important to understand how to bring out the best in your student as much as the ‘in-your-face’ extroverts. Children who are shy have a tendency to be overlooked and it is nice to read tips for parents who are raising a shy child to help guide their child through their fear to gain social confidence. Apparently, it can be done! Parents, don’t wait, read this book today.
Raising the Shy Child: A Parent’s Guide to Social Anxiety
List Price: $ 16.95
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