Not About That Life

I've been reading Quiet by Susan Cain for months now. As a proud introvert, this book has changed my life! I've never been able to so eloquently and clearly describe what I've been feeling my entire life, the way Cain and all her sources have. Quiet describes introverts from a historical, social, and scientific perspective and is a gold mine of information. I've even gone as far as underlining key parts. I've defiled a book! That's how great this information is.

I'm up to the part where Cain is describing how parents (introverted/extroverted) should handle an introverted child. She's giving all this advice about baby steps, encouragement, understanding etc., and I'm all about it. I think to myself I lived this! I can totally help my kid feel comfortable and at ease with their own temperament.

When discussing recess or play dates, Cain suggested the parent could even make the introduction between the children to get things started. Immediately a surge of anxiety and fear shot through me. It just got real! I literally sat on the train trying to figure out how 1) I'd get the courage to walk up to a child I do not know and say hi, and 2) What I would say to a five year old to get them to play with my kid. I could not come up with one opener...for a conversation with a 5 year old.

After considering my dilemma for a couple more minutes, I decided my husband will just have to pick up the burden of making friends for the whole family. There's just no other option. Like, I'll make an effort to work on this before any kids come into the picture, but I can't guarantee that I won't just sit with my kid in a corner and play...

Safe to say, I'm not ready!