Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily. And, btw, you can be an introvert without being shy. I am.

You can also be extroverted and shy. For years, I assumed I was an introvert because I am shy sometimes, but everyone describes me as extroverted and nobody believes that I'm shy. I will talk to anybody, initiate convo, make a new friend at the store or introduce people and folks assume we've known each other forever. Thing is, I've forced myself to speak even when I'm nervous because I'm just a naturally curious person that it comes accross very organically due to years of practive.

Back to the original question, DD only felt comfortable with me or my sister her first year. She's still shy and standoffish when she first meets someone, but she warms up after 15 mins or so and is really extroverted thereafter. She's 3.

My son only wanted to be with me (and to a lesser extent, his daddy) for about 18 months. Hated being held by anyone else and would scream to show it.

He's totally fine now -- says a quick "bye!" at his 2 day a week preschool, church nursery, etc.

Totally happy and carefree and loves people.

My DD had terrible stranger and separation anxiety from about 8 weeks of age until...3? She's almost 5 now and is not shy perse, though large crowded situations make her nervous, but it's more par for the course than how she used to be.