So, You’re an Extrovert Raising an Introvert…

Raise the child you have. It’s a simple statement, but not always so easy. If you are an extrovert and used to wanting, needing, and being around people to thrive, raising an introvert can be confusing. The key to remember is we are each our own individual selves with our own unique needs.

Your introverted child does not require as many social interactions as you do; this is okay, perfectly normal even. For introverts, typically, they find a few quality friendships that mean the world to them. Besides this, it’s important to remember that introverts, adults and children, need quiet, unpeopled time to recharge. Sometimes this can look like playing video games or reading a book. Again, this is okay and healthy for your child. It’s what they need.Attempting to force social interactions, family or friends, on your introverted young person can make them very uncomfortable and disrupt their sense of well being. Help them have an “out” when you go to family or social gatherings and protect that time when they are reading or playing on their phone. It is how they feel safe.

Pushing a child out of their comfort zone “for their own good” can, and will, backfire with negative emotions and, possibly, tantrums from your introvert. These can typically be avoided by respecting your child’s needs and remembering that they desire this alone time with all of their being. This includes not forcing them to talk and be social when they aren’t ready to be. This includes family.

Finally, don’t over-schedule your introvert. Knowing that they need down time, it is hard for them to have every after school club or class and every week of summer camp scheduled. It is too much and can be extremely overwhelming. Consider only scheduling some weeks in camp and providing more down time (or, if needed for childcare, making sure some of the camps are chill) during the summer. Respect who your child is and there is a much larger chance they will respect you, too.