Many well-meaning parents “rescue” their shy children from hard social moments—ordering for them, speaking for them, avoiding parties—without realizing this can actually increase anxiety and insecurity over time. This article explains what research says about the impact of rescuing shy children from anxiety, why shyness usually doesn’t just disappear with age, and offers practical, step-by-step strategies parents can use to build confidence and real-world coping skills in their shy child.