Help your child cultivate her passions, your child may have intense—and maybe even unique interests. Give her opportunities to pursue those interests. Intense engagement in an activity can bring happiness, well-being, and confidence, but it also gives your child opportunities to socialize with other children who have similar passions. Talk to your child’s teacher about their introversion. This will help your child’s teachers know how to interpret her behavior. Some teachers mistakenly assume that introverted children don’t speak up much in class because they’re disinterested or not paying attention. On the contrary, introverted students can be quite attentive in class, but they often prefer to listen and observe rather than actively participate. Also, if the teacher knows about your child’s introversion, the teacher may be able to gently help her navigate things like interactions with friends, participation in group work, or presenting in class. Teach your child to stand up for herself, teach her to say stop or no in a loud voice when another child tries to take her toy from her. If she’s being bullied or treated unfairly at school, encourage her to speak up to an adult or the perpetrator.

The biggest life privilege for me is to have that one person who listens to all your crap irrespective of its intensity and emotions, receives all your tantrums without being judgmental, cautions you without expecting anything in return when life drops hard bone-cracking blows, and still chooses to be by your side knowing the sheer amount of assholery you might actually pull in the near future.