Painfully Shy in Public, Spirited at Home (What's Up with That?)
Summary
Janet Lansbury addresses a parent’s concern about her strong-willed daughter who appears painfully shy in social settings like gymnastics. Lansbury reframes this behavior not as fear, but as a child holding a powerful observer position, often exacerbated by parental anxiety and attempts to coax participation. She advises parents to trust their child’s process, remain a calm secure base, and resist intervening, allowing the child to engage at their own pace to build genuine confidence.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Wayfair and LinkedIn Hiring Pro
Listener question: Strong-willed at home, shy in public
Understanding the 'power position' and observer behavior
Why parental worry and intervention keep kids stuck
Sponsors: Monarch Money and Osea Skincare
Actionable advice: Trusting the child and letting go
Sponsor: Monday.com AI agents
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