If your child is a "Shivery Cuke" 🥒
Have you noticed your child gets especially nervous around new things?
Maybe they:
- Get startled and curl up when they hear loud noises
- Stick to you tightly and refuse to get out of the car in unfamiliar places
- Freeze and don't know what to do when something unexpected happens
- Worry easily and have big emotional ups and downs
If you've noticed these behaviors, your child might be a Shivery Cuke type. These kids are actually very sensitive and thoughtful on the inside — they just need more time and a greater sense of safety to adjust to the world around them.
🌱 As a parent, how can I support them?
1. Don't blame them — understand their fear
If they're too scared to join an activity, please don't say:
"You're scared again? Why are you so timid?"
Try instead:
"I know you're feeling a little scared, and that's okay. I'm right here with you — we'll take it slow together."
✅ Shivery kids don't need pressure — they need understanding and companionship.
2. Let them go at their own pace — don't rush them
Maybe they're not ready to join a game, answer a question, or talk to a stranger.
You can gently ask:
"Do you want to wait a bit before trying? When you're ready, we'll do it together!"
✅ When they feel their pace is respected, they're more likely to build the courage to try new things.
3. Practice relaxation: teach them to breathe deeply to calm down
You can do a simple breathing exercise together:
- Slowly inhale (1-2-3)
- Slowly exhale (1-2-3)
✅ Doing it with them is more effective than simply saying, "Calm down."
When the body relaxes first, emotions can stabilize more easily.
4. Use fun ways to shift focus and reduce fear
If they're feeling tense, try:
- Counting how many animal patterns they can spot nearby
- Telling a simple joke to lighten the mood
- Playing a quick finger game to distract them
✅ Once their attention shifts, their emotions often loosen up too.
5. Share your own experiences with fear
For example:
"When I was little, I was shaking the first time I performed on stage — but little by little, I got used to it!"
✅ Let them know fear is normal, and bravery isn't something you're born with — it's something you build over time.
🥒 Quick Summary: How to support your Shivery Cuke child?
💛 Don't scold — acknowledge how they feel
💛 Don't rush — go at their pace
💛 Teach them how to relax — breathing helps regulate emotions
💛 Use play to shift their focus — reduce pressure
💛 Share your own fears — help them feel they're not "abnormal"
Your presence is the nurturing soil where their courage can grow. 💚