I just wish it was more common knowledge among the general public that if a toddler doesn't smile and wave back at you, or if they hide behind their parent's legs, or if you're a relative and they don't run right up to you, it's nothing personal against YOU! Even if they're your kid, and they go through a phase of preferring your spouse, it's nothing personal! It's just a toddler being a toddler! I know it's hard not to take it personally when your kid says "NO! I want DADDY!" when you try to comfort them, or if they're your niece, nephew, or grandchild and they don't rush right into your arms the second you appear, but it's totally developmentally NORMAL. It doesn't mean anyone has turned the child against you intentionally, or that they're a rude kid, or that they have some kind of problem.I have two kids and both of them have gone through phases of being shy and in both cases, there have been way too many people, strangers and family alike, who have taken it way too hard that my kid is acting like a normal toddler. "Oh, she hates me!" "Oh, you're not very nice!" "Who told you to be afraid of me?!" And on and on...I had the most refreshing experience today, we had to go for a follow up with a pediatric cardiologist after my toddler was sick a couple weeks ago, and she cried. I mean, she's two and spent a week in the hospital being poked and prodded and stuck full of needles, so of course she cried. She clung to me and begged me not to let the cardiologist touch her or take her, and to my surprise, instead of acting like she was being silly and ridiculous, the doctor said, "It's okay! I understand! I don't blame you for being afraid of me!" It was such a kind way to respond to her crying out of fear. I'm so used to people acting like she hates them or she's being silly that I was taken aback by his attitude and I just wish more people would be like him instead of taking it so personally. via /r/Parenting http://bit.ly/30uQVDL
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