Imagine this scenario.  A dozen kids are running around, playing and chasing, screaming and laughing.  A 7 year old boy is sitting in the grass engrossed in a book.  Mom goes over to him and says “Okay – honey that is enough reading.  Why don’t you go play with the other kids now.”  He reluctantly closes the book and walks up to the gaggle of kids.  The well-intentioned mom wants to support her son to be social, enjoy others and feel included.

Now let’s imagine another scenario.  Your child is playing outside with a group of friends, jumping, climbing, playing hide and seek.  Yelling and carrying on.  You intercept her and say “Ok – honey that is enough playing with other kids.  Why don’t you go in your room and read or do some other activity by yourself.”  Your intention underneath this action is to help your child be comfortable in her own skin, enjoy alone time more, and balance activity with downtime.

Both parents have good intentions.  Yet how many of you have witnessed the first one but never the second?

This cultural bias towards valuing and promoting extroverted qualities (and not really thinking anything of it) is the soup our introverted kids are swimming in.

Some are swimming, while others are quietly drowning.

We can turn that around!  You can be the buffer for the children in your life.  Help them understand that being an introvert is not a 4 letter word.  It is a wonderful way of being that they can claim with dignity.  And from that place – we help them have a sense of self that is solid and confident.  If you are parenting an introverted kid and want to foster this sense of self in your child, sign-up for my summer Parenting Introverted Kids program.

My intention for all introverted kids is for them to feel empowered.  Empowered to be who they are with ease and pride.  When our introverted kids act more like their introverted selves – good things happen.   They act and feel more congruent, they start honoring and expressing their needs, they feel closer to their friends and loved ones, and they feel good about who they are.

Yippee!