Why would a 3 year old be scared of strangers that he is related to but not plain strangers?

Question

My brother is shy around relatives he doesnt know unless they are kids. Its weird because he isnt scared of people in the park or street or anywhere else. When we ask him he just calmly says he doesnt know.

Answer 1

Maybe he feels pressured when he meets someone not on his terms.  Maybe if you let him introduced him self he will feel better about it.  Give him time to go up the the person someone is trying to introduce.  Don't pressure him to talk to the person.

Answer 2

maybe one of them has said something to him that he did not like things can play on kids minds i would look into it a bit more or talk to the one's he goes shy around.

Answer 3

My guess would be that since they are relatives, they are more apt to come up and talk to him.  He could also feel more pressured into giving them a hug or talking to them, etc. because he is related to them and because you know them, even if only vaguely.  Everyone else has that familiarity of the people in the group, but he doesn't, and maybe feels as if he is expected to.

Talking to a complete stranger comes with none of that pressure or fake sentiment that comes along with someone being your great aunt or second cousin.  He can just be himself without having to worry what someone might think or how it will reflect on the immediate family.

Answer 4

i know! my 3 year old sister is like that too

she says hi and waves to perfect strangers but when we go to a faamily gathering or party shes all clingy when my mom introduces us to our relatives. i think it's because real strangers won't be with him all day or carry him or fuss over him. and plus kids either get overexcited or really shy around a lot of people. in my opinion. :)