My Kids Hates Other Kids' Crying

[AnaKhouri]

My 2 (almost 3) year old son is very sensitive to some things. He is a quiet kid (rarely screams even when playing, has never had a major tantrum) and has been raised in a calm, quiet house. He doesn't like big crowds and loud noises bother him (they do me too!). I try to accomodate this as much as I can. But there is one thing I don't think I can accomodate him on.

If we are around another kid who cries, throws a tantrum, or even just shrieks in that awful only-dogs-can-hear-it tone (even if the kid is happy) he becomes very agitated and wants to leave wherever we are. The park, the library, the museum. I think this is based on fear and/or concern for the other kid; a couple times when I have convinced him to stay, after the other kid stops howling he will say to himself over and over, "He/she's better now."

I have tried telling him the other kid is OK, their mommy is taking care of it, babies cry sometimes because they can't talk, etc., but he still has this extreme reaction. The problem is, if we leave someplace every time another kid cries or screams, he's going to miss out on a lot of fun.

How can I get him to realize that a crying/screaming kid doesn't mean something's direly wrong?

[kpzra]

Exposure. If he's around it he'll get used to it. My 2 year old doesn't like when people get loud either, but she sushes them. Nothing like seeing her putting her finger to her lips and going SHHH