Continuing to expose him to other kids in different social settings, at your house, in a preschool, at another three-year-old's party will contribute to his gradually becoming more and more comfortable and less nervous about being away from you, his emotional anchor. Again ALL kids repeatedly experience the feelings your son had as they learn to exist outside of their parents presence, nanny notwithstanding. Enjoy your boy and his perfectly normal development. You sound like great parents.
Shyness and Self-Esteem
Carleton Kendrick has been in private practice as a family therapist and has worked as a consultant for more than 20 years. He has conducted parenting seminars on topics ranging from how to discipline toddlers to how to stay connected with teenagers. Kendrick has appeared as an expert on national broadcast media such as CBS, Fox Television Network, Cable News Network, CNBC, PBS, and National Public Radio. In addition, he's been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, USA Today, Reader's Digest, BusinessWeek, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and many other publications.
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