Raising the Shy Child: A Parent's Guide to Social Anxiety

by Christine Fonseca

The fear of being judged by others in social activities is a common human experience, especially during childhood. But when the fear becomes all-consuming, it can disrupt daily functioning and the development of social competency. Raising the Shy Child: A Parent's Guide to Social Anxiety takes a fresh look at social anxiety disorder, coupling the latest in research trends with evidence-based strategies and real-world stories to untangle the complexities of this disorder. Presented in an easy-to-read, conversational style, the book uses a combination of real-world examples and stories from adults and children with social anxiety disorder to show parents and educators how to help children find a path through their fear and into social competence. With specific strategies to address school refusal, bullying, and identity issues, Raising the Shy Child is a must-read resource for anyone dedicated to enhancing the lives of children.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

223 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Christine Fonseca is a bestselling author, licensed educational psychologist, and mentor for deep-feeling creatives. For more than three decades, she has guided artists, writers, and visionaries to embrace their emotional intensity, reclaim their creative fire, and cultivate a practice that is both sustainable and soulful.

Renowned for her pioneering work in emotional intensity, creative empowerment, and somatic writing, Christine dismantles the myth that sensitivity is weakness. Instead, she reveals it as a source of artistry, leadership, and transformation. Her voice is equal parts poetic and practical, timeless and magnetic — inviting readers into a deeper relationship with their art, their body, and themselves.

Christine’s books and teachings have touched audiences across the globe and been featured in Psychology Today, Parents.com, The Neurodiversity Podcast, and on international stages. She is the author of multiple bestselling works, including Nevertheless, Create: Art, Intensity, and the Practice of Showing Up; Write Through: Feeling Your Way to the Page; and Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings

For more information, visit her website - www.christinefonseca.com

Reviews

[Christine Fonseca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thrilled to bring this too all of you. Tackling the topic of social anxiety disorder, my hope is that this book helps parents and educators support those children who find social encounters very challenging

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a kid can be tough... being a shy kid can be really tough. Many people see shyness as something being wrong with that person. Parents are at a loss on how to help their shy child. This is where "Raising the Shy Child" comes into play. The author includes worksheets, tips for parent to help their child both in home and school settings, and checklists.

This book can help parents understand their shy child better and how they and other adults in their life (i.e. teachers) can help the shy child.

**I received this book through LibraryThings Member Giveaway. The opinion is solely my own.**

[Tonya Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great practical advice for parents who have children with social anxiety. Tip sheets and research based information are mixed with stories of actual children who have social anxiety issues. It's a well rounded read for parents who need help with strategies and/or reassurance.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book spends a lot of time explaining the different types and manifestations of social anxiety disorder (SAD). I wish there had been more practical application. I liked that it was research-based and a good summary of all the studies of this subject, but the info could've been condensed.

Know that most of the examples are for older children. I can't really fault her for this, because it seems like the tougher issues with SAD kids come out more in school-age. But I ended up skimming a lot of the redundant info and stuff that didn't apply to my daughter/our situation. I struggled with SAD as a kid (and still kinda do) and am looking for ways to build my daughter's confidence and take on the anxiety stuff early so it doesn't just keep snowballing for her as it did for me. I didn't get a ton out of this book except for a brief mention of how parenting styles affect anxiety.

If you're looking for a good book for kids on the shyer side, I recommend _What to Do When You Feel Too Shy: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Social Anxiety_.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information but didn't like the formatting.