This has been going on for a while, but was really noticable today at gymnastics (our first time). Zander is very very antisocial. I'll give a few examples.

We went to mum's group from when Zander was 2 months old but in the last few months it has fizzled out & we rarely see the group together. The last time we saw Elliot was here at home & Zander would not go near him. I thought being at home he'd be ok, but he grabbed onto my leg and would not let go.

Last week we went to a play centre & he freaked out because there was a man there. He went nuts every time he saw this guy and would not go anywhere that the man was in his line of sight. He again attached himself to my leg. Now this I'm not so fussed on, I would prefer him to be cautious about adult men IYKWIM. That sounds dreadful, but you never know.

Then today at gymnastics he wouldn't go near the other kids, not even the two that he knows. He wouldn't let the mums or the instructor near him & wanted me to pick him up all the time. To start with he refused to join in on anything if anyone but me was near him. He would grab onto my leg and not move unlss I picked him up. In the end he was happy to do the circuit near the other kids as long as they didn't look at him or get too close.

This happens in all situations. He is happy with my family & Aaron's family although he is standoffish with one of my sisters & Aaron's brother that he doesn't see much. He tends to be ok with adult females as long as they don't touch him before he's ready. Also if he's in his pram he's happy to talk to anyone, again as long as they don't touch him.

Is this normal???? Should I be doing more things to get him to socialise, at least with other kids? Is he too dependant on me? Would it be worth putting him into preschool or some sort of care for 1 day a week so he has to socialise without me being around? Will going to gymnastics each week help because the other kids are around? I'm thinking of starting play group as well next week so he has more time with other kids his age.

Just having a bit of a freak out here. Can you tell???