First figure out if your grandson is an introvert or shy. They are different. Introverts favor solitary activities to more social activities because the find the latter exhausting. Whereas, shy people tend to avoid social settings because of fear and or anxiety these situations create.
If your grandson is behaving more out of fear and anxiety then there are things you can do to help overcome these feelings. If it’s just a matter of preference, then give him his space, but encourage him to mix in some social things on a smaller scale, like a playdate as opposed to large party.
I think parents can get too financially and emotionally invested in their children’s birthday parties. Young children are emotionally uneven and they get wound up quickly and tire easily.
Adults often get too caught up in the fantasy of how absolutely delighted their kids are going to be by the bouncy castles and the clowns and magicians and Chuck E Cheese or whatever they spent way to much money that could’ve been used for something else on and often get disappointed or even angry when the kids get overwhelmed and upset or just react with indifference.
Then the kids pick up on the parent’s disappointment and think they’ve done something wrong. I think keeping parties for younger kids small and simple is the best solution…not like it’s going to happen, though.
My four year old is in kindergarten (we just call it kinder) - it’s three days a week (15 hours total). Next year he’ll start school so he’ll be in prep, and the following year he’ll be in grade 1.
The terminology also varies between states. We’re specifically talking about Victoria here
We all make mistakes and as long as we learn all is good.
Yeah you made him cry but that’s not going to ruin him for the rest of his life, just give him a hug and tell him it’s your old person brain that went a bit silly. Kids love that shit.
Hah! I did apologize, and he wondered what the hell I was on about! As far as he was concerned it was a total non-event.
But his mum has organized a play date with another kid who’s a bit shy (he also attended the party and was reluctant to join in apparently). So after school next week, the two will get together for some Lego, HotWheels and icy-poles.
Yup, we all make mistakes. And I was totally wrong, I’ll wear that.
Update: the lad was just dropped off to another party half an hour ago. He briefly clutched his mum’s hand until the Nanna of the birthday boy did her Nanna thing, telling all the reluctant kids that SHE WAS THE BOSS OF THE PARTY and that all the mums had to GO HOME RIGHT NOW!
Brilliant.
At last view (as my daughter left the party), the lad was running around and screaming like a mad thing with all his little mates.
Bloody brilliant.
