Shy/Nervous 5 yr old HELP

My son has always been "Shy" I I just thought it would get better, but it's just not. He fights with me about going to school every morning. He will run away from the bus stop when he see's the bus. He fakes being sick etc.. Today I had to drive him to school and walk him to his class room. He would not go down the h all alone. It breaks my heart when it gets like this, ebcause I get frustrated and holler and I don't like to yell. I called him teacher and she told me that he does talk, play and socialize in class. He has several friends in the class room. She said she thinks he is a nervous kid and he needs to be toughened up. She suggested I get him in karate classes? I am at my end here. I really don't know how to react to him or how to treat the whole situation.

He is also shy with people he has been around for a long time. Like my cousin and his wife. He will not talk around them, but he will play with their son. Anyone have suggestions or ideas? Should I look in to therapy?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

First, it's important that you maintain your composure and stay in emotional control. There really is no reason for you to lose your patience - you can't help your son if you act that way. Now, the problem you describe is more than shyness. It indicates a separation anxiety, as indicated by the fcat that he is fine at school after you depart. The important thing is to keep him in the mix by having him engage in age-typical recreational experiences outside of school (the nature of the activity really does not matter). I'd ignore the behavior with your cousin and his wife. In the bigger picture, it really doesn't matter that he does not speak with them. At this point I would not advise therapy. Rather , keep on the course outlined above and see if he makes progress.