My son too.

What makes me saddest is even if there's no one there judging him, he images a judge. He'll be thinking, "What if so and so were here? What would he think about what I'm doing now?" He can't ever relax and enjoy himself when he's completely alone. Or, not even enjoy himself, just relax and not feel like he has to be 'perfect' - whatever that is.

Every once in a while he gets a little playful with the dog or the cat. He reminds me of when he was little. He was such a sweet little guy. Even a bit of a flirt.

Then he just closes down again. No, he doesn't close down. He stiffens up. That's how he is. Seldom relaxed. Usually stiff - the way you are when you're very self-conscious. Like when you're walking across a room and everyone is looking at you and you become so self-conscious you almost forget how to walk.