Wishing for a Social Butterfly

by Kristina Rust

In middle school and high school, I was the kid who was involved in everything. I was on the softball team, a cheerleader, a student council member and part of the German and Accounting clubs. I was very social and loved being involved in my school. So when my son started middle school, I assumed that he would be the same way. I was wrong.

It is not that my son is an introvert, he has friends and enjoys school but he'd rather come home after school and play video games than try out for the basketball team. He'd rather watch movies with his siblings on a Friday night than attend a school dance and running for the leadership team is something that would never cross his mind. He is a less is more kind of kid.

I know that I should be elated that he still wants to be with his family and that the day will come where he won't want to hang out with his brothers and sisters, but I can't help but wish that he were a tad more social and outgoing.

At times I worry that he doesn't have enough friends and that he isn't involved as much as he should be at his school, but then I remind myself that he is not me and that I can't compare my middle school experience to his. We are two very different people.

I doubt that he will ever become a social butterfly. But I have hopes that when he goes to high school next year, that some club or activity will spark his interest and bring him out of his social shell. In any case, the school experience is his own and I look forward to watching it all unfold.

This post was inspired by the Yahoo! Motherboard. You can also find Kristina blogging at Parent Grapevine and Moms Who Click.