Joanna Fortune: My child gets anxious about going to birthday parties 

They love getting the party invitations but get overwhelmed and anxious as soon as they arrive at the actual party

Pic: iStock

My daughter is in first class and is very shy. She loves getting birthday party invitations but gets overwhelmed and anxious as soon as she arrives.  I usually stay to reassure her but I'd like to find another way to handle the situation.

Shyness is not a 'problem behaviour' or something to psycho-pathologise — it's a personality trait. However, if the shyness is at a level where it inhibits participation in activities and life events, additional support could be beneficial.