22 month old afraid of men

karianded1010

My 22 month old has always been afraid of men (besides Daddy), especially if they have facial hair   She has gotten better around Grandpa and uncles but will usually cry if they try to pick her up.  She used to cry when they walked into the room so we've made progress.  Over thanksgiving a male cousin (she's never met) came over and as soon as he walked in she cried so loud and came running to Mama for comfort and would barely leave my side the rest of the day.  Any ideas on how to deal with this issue?

And lastly, the past month or so we tried to explain Santa and he says "ho ho ho" which she used to run around saying and has no issues.  Well this past weekend we had a brunch with Santa and as soon as he walked in the door and she saw him she lost it.  Cried so loud and had to take her into the bathroom to try and settle her down.  Santa didn't talk to her and we didn't force her to sit on his lap or anything.  But since then if she sees Santa on TV, pictures, or if we even say his name she starts crying again like the day she saw him.  Any ideas how to handle this since I can't hide Santa from her around this time of year?

emberlee3

Another vote for normal.  Comfort your child when she is scared, reassure her, but don't force anything.  My DD is very outgoing but she was downright terrified of my uncles, especially the one with a beard, at Thanksgiving.  (Which we didn't handle well because we were joking about it.  Mental note to do better next time.)

Filly78

Our son is almost 21 months and he is afraid of men as well.  Even though he's been around my dad, my husband's dad, and our brothers, he still is very shy and cries whenever they come over.  Usually if they keep their distance from him, he will eventually warm up to them, but it's still really weird.  We weren't sure it's because he's around women all day at daycare.  I've had girlfriends our son has met for the first time and he had no problem walking right up to them.  Weird!

dpraseutsinh

DD is only 14 months but shes afraid of bald guys and facial hair! Its weird becayse she doesnt mind shaved heads but if youre completely bald she freaks! Not gonna lie, it kinda cracks me up sometimes.