This blog grew out of my determination to get back to writing, to see my work published, to tell my stories.
And it's happening (thank you for being part of that journey!).
This month, my first full-length feature piece appears in Today's Parent magazine.
My kids are on the quiet side. One of them is really introverted.
No surprise. JB and I struggled with shyness as kids, too.
We have a really good understanding of what's going on.
Unfortunately, it's not easy for everyone to understand.
We have to work hard at helping him navigate (while also protecting his sense of self) but it's so worthwhile.
I read this blog post last week—while my story was on its way to newsstands—and I wanted to climb into my screen and give Matt Walsh a hug.
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If a kid is introverted he doesn’t need to be broken like a dog. He doesn’t need to change his personality. He doesn’t even need to “come out of his shell.” He’s not hiding in a shell. He just doesn’t feel the need to chatter incessantly with everyone in the room. If that makes you uncomfortable — that’s your problem. There’s nothing objectively preferable or superior about extraversion. (Matt Walsh)
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Small talk is hard for him.
Talking about something he loves comes easily.
But not in front of a crowd, and most especially not when he's being peppered with questions.
And speaking LOUDLY or s-l-o-w-l-y won't work either. It only makes him feel worse.
Oh and please don't look at me as though you expect me to apologize for him. I won't.
I have no reason to apologize for a kid that has never spoken an unkind or disrespectful word in his life.
He hasn't forgotten his manners, he has just forgotten his lines.
He's finding his way. He's learning how to push his quiet down and speak up, when he needs to.
But, please, let him do it in his own time.
There is greatness coming, and we don't want the noise to get in his way.