Maya Grace, sometimes you are a tough nut to crack.
My girl is happy and carefree and loads of fun and sunshine. Sometimes. Other times, she is crabby. Like when she is told "no". Or she has to wait for something. Or she wants to do something that another child is doing and is reluctant to join in the fun with an unfamilliar face.
I try to encourage her independence. I try to help her ease into social situations without being clingy or sullen. I try to allow her to have the space she needs to warm up on her own.
Sometimes it isn't easy. I want to usher her over to a group of friends and remind her that we have played with them before, have her take someone by the hand and tumble off together towards the swings laughing and giggling. That just isn't my girl.
She can be shy and reserved and stand-off-ish in social settings (or when she's just not in the mood). I am learning not to push her too hard to be outgoing, to give her the space and time she needs to figure it out herself. I love this girl of mine, and we are growing together in this journey of mother and daughterhood.