My little girl is 2 years, 4 months. She is very well socialized but also very timid. Even among her closest little friends she gets fearful when they come running up to her. She puts her arms across her chest as to protect herself and kind of shakes and closes her eyes. When another child does something to her ie., pushes or hits her, she thinks she did something wrong. She will say "sorry mama." This breaks our hearts. I don't know how I can teach her to be less timid. We give her tons of love and praise. She is very outgoing, talkative, imaginative, smart etc., it's just when other kids get close to her she feels that they are going to hit her. She has been hit, shoved and pushed down by other kids. I hate the saying "kids will be kids" I feel it is just an excuse for lazy parents not to discipline their kids. I hope that the few times she has been picked on by other kids hasn't scarred her and this is the reaction.

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

I know how you feel with the kids will be kids things kids arent supposed to beat up other kids its just not right you should pick different friends to have you daughter play with maybe get her involved in a playgroup of some sort or bring her to your local park but stear clear of those other children she ahs been around it is bullying and thats all it is and its not right i hope this helps

hi lorena.  i know what you are going through. parenting is tough no matter what way you look at it.  i think you are doing the right things with your daughter and encouraging her is probably the best way to go.   my brother was like that and even to this day, he has few friends but the ones he does have, he has had for more than twenty years.  your daughter is selective and i think given opportunities and circumstances and time, she will probably be more comfortable but being selective is not a bad thing! : )