stranger phobia

When anyone comes to the house, the boys (especially Sam) flip out. This just got worse in the past month. They used to be wary of strangers or family members they don't often see, but now it seems they are doing it with nearly anyone besides us, even their grandparents. It's always worse when people come to our house. They just scream and cry, even if the person is not trying to interact with them.

Last night, my friend, her husband and baby came over, and the kids were really freaked out. After maybe an hour and a half of them being here (and leaving the boys alone), the boys finally warmed up and were coming around and interacting with them.

But it is SO embarrassing. I just don't know what to say when it happens. I try to make excuses for them, but it's so humiliating. I don't want everyone to think my guys are little monsters!

Anyone else have this problem?

Michelle

 

When anyone comes to the house, the boys (especially Sam) flip out. This just got worse in the past month. They used to be wary of strangers or family members they don't often see, but now it seems they are doing it with nearly anyone besides us, even their grandparents. It's always worse when people come to our house. They just scream and cry, even if the person is not trying to interact with them.

Last night, my friend, her husband and baby came over, and the kids were really freaked out. After maybe an hour and a half of them being here (and leaving the boys alone), the boys finally warmed up and were coming around and interacting with them.

But it is SO embarrassing. I just don't know what to say when it happens. I try to make excuses for them, but it's so humiliating. I don't want everyone to think my guys are little monsters!

Anyone else have this problem?

Michelle

 

My two are social butterflies, especially my dd. DS takes a little while to warm up though. I hope it gets better!

 

I find especially "men" but sometimes both. The don't scream and cry anymore, just run to their room and won't come out


amanda (jorja and jessica 3)

 

My Dylan does it more than Meghan but yes it does get old. He got better for awhile now I think we are back to it. No advice just that you are not alone. I want to just say "GET OVER IT" but I dont.

 

My girls freak out a little when someone the dont know comes over and once in awhile it takes them some time to warm up to their aunt.

 

At around 18 months I noticed mine started to have some stranger anxiety and even some anxiety with family members they see all the time. It appeared to be just a phase, so maybe that is the case for the boys. My advice is to just never "force" them to engage. Let them do it at their own pace.

 

I don't think you need to apologize for them or feel embarrassed. They are just going through a perfectly normal phase. I can understand that it's awkward, though. Mine do this a lot now (though they don't totally freak -- they just get very quiet and cling to my legs or try to hide behind me) and I just say "They're just shy around new people right now" and leave it at that. I'm sure no one thinks your kids are little monsters!