Comments on: Introverted kids do not need “fixing,” but they may need recharging!

By: IntrovertZone

IntrovertZone — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:57:04 +0000

It sure is. I’m glad he has you! You’re not only someone who’ll be there for him and not criticize him, you’re a confident enough guy that I’ll bet you may just educate a few of those people.

By: Nick Laborde

Nick Laborde — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:27:48 +0000

Thanks for the reminder, it seems that most people seem to think that there is some thing wrong with an introverted kid. I have a young nephew that is an introvert and his brother is the opposite. I noticed that some family members make comments about him, in a negative way. I know from personal experience that is the worst thing to do.

By: IntrovertZone

IntrovertZone — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:16:55 +0000

Hi JW, I was at a family party last month where there was a four year old boy who was minding his own business and playing with toys in the corner. His mom and aunt kept telling people WITHIN HIS EARSHOT, “Oh he always acts like this. He’s SHY!” “I don’t know when he’ll come OUT OF HIS SHELL.” I wanted to go to both women and…um…tell them to be quiet. That sweet little fellow was not defective at all. He was having a nice time enjoying the things he was pretending while he played with toy animals. And he’s probably an introvert. I’m sorry your dad implied you’re mentally ill!

By: JW

JW — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:16:24 +0000

I just wanted to add that I recently found a blog entry about introverted children. It’s very informative.
http://www.yorkwriters.com/2009/07/living-with-introverted-child.html

By: JW

JW — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Yeah, this is a good one. It really sums up how I was as a child. I liked playing with the neighborhood kids since we all knew each other from school. and running about outside, but I didn’t mind being alone, either. I would read and occupy myself with solitary activities, and it wasn’t a big deal. It was just something I did. My parents may have commented on the fact that I enjoyed doing things by myself, but they commented because they liked that aspect of my personality. I guess it is also a cultural thing. I’m from a Jamaican family, and from my observation, Jamaican parents like it when their kids show the ability to sit quietly and occupy themselves, instead of always running about, making noise, and trying to be the center of attention.
However, my father is a highly expressed extrovert and as I got older, he started to make negative comments about my personality because he wanted me to be more social and outgoing. He feels comfortable talking to anyone, and that is not something that I feel comfortable with. When I was a child and even into my early teen years, my dad and I would go to the park together and he would try to get me to join other kids who were playing in the park. Also, even now, whenever I am around him, he will tell me to talk to people he knows but that I don’t know. He feels like because he knows these people that I should automatically feel comfortable making small talk and being friendly with people I have just met. He also doesn’t have a problem talking about more personal matters such as family issues and problems that our family has had through the years, so whenever I am around him and other people, I feel like at some point I am going to be the center of attention since he lacks discretion and will say just about anything. He’s even accused me of having a mental illness because of my personality.

By: IntrovertZone

IntrovertZone — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:30:25 +0000

Thanks so much! This one was really from the heart. I remember being an introverted child just like it was yesterday, and I sure wish/hope to help those who are growing up now.

By: xen

xen — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:07:31 +0000

Great article.
Need I say more?