adoption of a rat family

Question
I just adopted a small rat family (one neutered male and three females). We have only had them for two days. I am noticing one female is very shy and lives in a wooden house MOST of the time. We have started a nightly routine of putting all the rats in the tub (no water) with the kids so I can clean up the cage a bit.
Is it wrong for me to seek out this shy female or should I let her adjust in her own way. I don't want her to revert but I also dont want to overwhelm her or stress her out more.
The good news it that in this adoption we acquired all their belongings (cage, toys, hammacks, carrier) so the only thing new is the room they are in.
Thanks
Mommy to Fat Boy, Chopper, Tippy Toes and Cheese

Answer
CongRATS on your new family!  

Now about that new girl...its normal for her to be shy and since you dont know about her past life (so I assume) she may not have had alot of attention so she may not be used to it.  My rats are not shy around me but are scared of other people because they dont see other people much.  When they do, it takes some time for them to come out of hiding behind me, but they do.

What you can do is let her come out on her own. I always suggest to people to build a cardboard wall around the room and include the cage within the wall.  Add some toys and yourself and whoever else plans on playing with the rats, and let them come out of the cage on their own. This is a safe way for them to exercise and they are contained safely behind a cardboard wall.  My website has a photo of how to make one from THE DAPPER RAT site and I have a 3 foot tall cardboard barrier all the way around my rat room.  This way, they come out and just roam the room and I dont worry about them getting behind the hermit crab tanks and chewing the wires or hiding under things that they cant get out of easily etc..Just be sure the children stay sitting in one spot or know where the rats are at all times to avoid sitting or standing on the rat which of course can cause serious injury to the little critter.

Do not reach in and grab the shy rat. Talk softly to her and let her sniff you, keeping your hands flat on the cage floor so she knows your not going to grab at her.  Check out more info on trust training shy rats on my site and dont forget to look at the picture of the cardboard wall! Its a great invention by Robin of the dapper rat!

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/gettingstarted.htm