Should I Push My Son to Be Pushier?

I notice my daughter switches back and forth between being dominate and submissive. With her it's simply that she's still learning how to interact with others. She's an only child at the moment so she doesn't have a whole lot opportunity to play with children her own age.

This could be similar to your son's situation. He's still learning how to behave. If you are with other mothers and their child is rough with yours, you can try gently comment to the mother. It could be something he grows out of as he learns, it's hard to say.

Good luck.

My son's pretty laid back too. I don't let other kids take toys from him. If a kid does, I go to the kid, tell the kid that we don't take toys from other kids and give it back to my son. I figure at this age he is too young to understand what it means to be "walked all over" but I can at least teach him by example that it's not okay if other kids take toys from him (even though he doesn't seem to mind). I do the same thing when I see another kid push him.

My son is this way, he's almost 6. His preschool teacher last year worked with him to tell kids "I was playing with that first. Please give it back". In preschool this went over well. Kindergarten its less of a problem because they have MUCH MUCH less free time to play.
He actually is the leader in a sense. He plays what he wants and someone can join if they like. He tends to stick more to his imagination than needed an actual toy--on the playground he puts his arms out and flies jet planes. He builds forts with blocks and when other kids knock it down he just says a bomb exploded the building.
I am not worried too much about him being layed back-its nice to have all different personalities in the world.

Hi! This sounds very similar to my three year old son. I know how you feel, I often think to myself that I just want to push him! He observes situations for a long while first, and would rather stare at the other kids grabbing things from him or getting in line in front of him than to do or say anything. I hate to see this happen! I am trying to focus on role playing situations at home, which has helped tremendously with doctor and dentist visits. Sorry I don't have any other advice, but I hope it makes you feel better knowing there are others like him! (I have read about introvert/extrovert parenting advice, which I didn't find very helpful- I felt like my son was both- but it may be interesting for you.)