8 year old lacks confidence
My almost-8-year old boy is having a few problems lately which I'm putting down to lack of confidence, but would welcome your thoughts.
Until he was about 6, he always had a problem with new places, situations etc, refusing to join clubs, swimming lessons, even friends' parties. He 'freaked' a few times when on holiday in new places, either throwing tantrums or becoming withdrawn. Gradually, we worked to reassure him about these things, and he joined a swimming group, Beavers, football at school etc. We always tried to make him comfortable in new places on holiday, making sure he got a tour of the villa or whatever and leaving nightlights on so he didn't get disorientated.
This all seemed to pay off, yet over the last couple of months we seem to be back at square 1. He had a huge tantrum at school last week, because he didn't want to stay at an after-school club despite the fact that he'd asked to join, and it was with his classmates and a teacher he knows well. He's refusing to go to swimming lessons, although he's been going for a year now. He's sulky and picking on his sisters and moody with us. He burst into tears at a friend's house when he went for tea, despite knowing the whole family well, and had to be brought home after only 20 minutes.
I can't get any sense out of him about his feelings, or why he doesn't like things he was enjoying before.
There's so much more I could say about things he's done but this will take all night to read as it is. Anyone got any advice, I want to help him as he seems so sad, but can't seem to break the surface. (BTW, I'm sure he's not being bullied at school, I've spoken to his teacher and there's no sign of this behaviour in school)
Many thanks.