Are average children

[dngnb8]

Um... I think this post is poking fun at the fact that so many DISers seem to have gifted children. I don't see how it's making fun of your daughter (who I have to admit I know nothing about).

Its not my daughter specifically. But this thread is very common when this topic comes up. Kids are made to feel guilty about their abilities. Not just by other kids, but parents. Parents who attempt to portray "average" as victims. Look at the previous response and how it was composed. You all dont realize that this happens often, and based on these responses, your children pass it on.

Then you wonder why gifted kids are withdrawn. They are withdrawn because theyre treated like they are diseased simply because they are gifted.

Sorry if I am being sensitive, but my daughter has dealt with this behavior for most of her life.

As parents, we communicate this behavior to our kids, who then pass it on. Im just pointing out to you that responses like the one I analyzed earlier are very common. And frankly, not unexpected, although a thread here is a bit much.

 

[Christine]

My daughter is VERY average and it has been hard because most of my friends truly have gifted kids and we live in an area where academics are very competitive. It has not been easy on her and, as a parent, sometimes hard to watch.

My younger child, on the other hand, did test with a gifted IQ many years ago when he was undergoing ADHD evaluation. He is not in gifted programs though and seems relatively normal academically. He does very well in school and is very conscientious though. I will tell you that it has been MUCH easier to parent him than my daughter.

 

[singleinthe city]

I think there needs to be a second type of classification. Few kids are gifted, most of the kids here that parents brag about are what I label "AA" or Advanced and Advantaged.

 

[wvjules]

I think there needs to be a second type of classification. Few kids are gifted, most of the kids here that parents brag about are what I label "AA" or Advanced and Advantaged.

My AA is Awesomely Average.

 

[phorsenuf]

I always have to chuckle when people just have to throw out how gifted their child is (and a lot of time when it has nothing to do with the topic at hand). I always think whoopdy doo. Why does it matter? Are we suppose to be impressed or something?

 

[tlbwriter]

Then you wonder why gifted kids are withdrawn. They are withdrawn because theyre treated like they are diseased simply because they are gifted.

Actually, no, I don't wonder that at all. None of the gifted kids (or, to be more accurate, the kids who have been labeled by our school system as "gifted") I know are withdrawn. Some are shy, some are very outgoing, just like all kids. Also, it seems you are making the assumption that my child is not gifted? Why is that? Just because I joke about the parents who are always yammering about their gifted children? This thread isn't about the kids. It's about the parents.

 

[LuvLDM]

I don't see this thread as a dig against gifted or average children

I see it more as someone pointing out how silly some parents are when discussing their "profoundly gifted" child. I think some posters even pretend to dislike the label.....but really why start a thread seeking advice?
It's just a big brag fest IMO.

Again, I really don't think anyone is disparaging the child or the possible struggles a truly gifted child may face, it's the parents who can be rather obnoxious about it.

 

[Christine]

I always have to chuckle when people just have to throw out how gifted their child is (and a lot of time when it has nothing to do with the topic at hand). I always think whoopdy doo. Why does it matter? Are we suppose to be impressed or something?

Well, I do think that having a gifted child, while wonderful I suppose, does have it's own set of problems.

My coworker has two very gifted children. They are remarkable. It is a good problem to have but there are issues presented to him in educating his kids that are just different from what regular folks deal with. As I said, it is a good problem to have but it doesn't mean that life is easier, just different. He never, ever talks about what is going on with them in a bragging manner so I do try to be a sounding board for him sometimes (even though I'm no help) but I do see that parents of gifted kids may often want some support, so to speak. Then there are those who just are bursting at the seams to tell everyone about it.

 

[dngnb8]

Actually, no, I don't wonder that at all. None of the gifted kids (or, to be more accurate, the kids who have been labeled by our school system as "gifted") I know are withdrawn. Some are shy, some are very outgoing, just like all kids. Also, it seems you are making the assumption that my child is not gifted? Why is that? Just because I joke about the parents who are always yammering about their gifted children? This thread isn't about the kids. It's about the parents.

Its about the parents talking about their kids who they say arent gifted in an apologetic way......

Continue to defend what youre doing. Its not working though

 

[phorsenuf]

Well, I do think that having a gifted child, while wonderful I suppose, does have it's own set of problems.

My coworker has two very gifted children. They are remarkable. It is a good problem to have but there are issues presented to him in educating his kids that are just different from what regular folks deal with. As I said, it is a good problem to have but it doesn't mean that life is easier, just different. He never, ever talks about what is going on with them in a bragging manner so I do try to be a sounding board for him sometimes (even though I'm no help) but I do see that parents of gifted kids may often want some support, so to speak. Then there are those who just are bursting at the seams to tell everyone about it.

I'm willing to bet those are the ones most people are referring to.

 

[Jeafl]

My youngest daughter is flunking out of college after 3 years of good grades ..... not gifted.

I'm really sorry to hear that, I hope she is able to turn things around.

I teach special ed, and I can tell you one thing--my students may all have disabilities, but every one of them is special and gifted in their own way.

 

[penn19]

I'm willing to bet those are the ones most people are referring to.

 

[dngnb8]

I don't see this thread as a dig against gifted or average children

Of course you dont

I see it more as someone pointing out how silly some parents are when discussing their "profoundly gifted" child. I think some posters even pretend to dislike the label.....but really why start a thread seeking advice?
It's just a big brag fest IMO.

Yet you just did it. WoW.

Again, I really don't think anyone is disparaging the child or the possible struggles a truly gifted child may face, it's the parents who can be rather obnoxious about it.

Funny, kinda how I feel about these posts. She simply asked advice. She wasnt obnoxious, she doesnt have it in the sig line, and OH LOOK! there is a satire thread now.

 

[Belle0101]

Gifted? DS15 doesn't even want to go to college. You cannot imagine the flak I'm taking from other parents.

It invariably goes something like this -

Other parent: Where is DS going for college? DS/DD wants to get a degree from "College" in "Chosen Career".

Me: DS15 sn't interested in college. He has his sights set on "His Goal".

Other parent: Really? That's too bad. He still has time to change his mind though.


Seriously? What he wants to do now is a step up from what he previously wanted to be - a french fry cook at Burger King. Not that there's anything wrong with frying fries at BK. Somebody has to do it.

I don't get why parents think it's "too bad" that he isn't interested in college. Not every child aspires to go to college.

 

[shortbun]

My kid has average intelligence but he's a perfectionist, overachiever. Sucks for him.

 

[shortbun]

Gifted? DS15 doesn't even want to go to college. You cannot imagine the flak I'm taking from other parents.

It invariably goes something like this -

Other parent: Where is DS going for college? DS/DD wants to get a degree from "College" in "Chosen Career".

Me: DS15 sn't interested in college. He has his sights set on "His Goal".

Other parent: Really? That's too bad. He still has time to change his mind though.


Seriously? What he wants to do now is a step up from what he previously wanted to be - a french fry cook at Burger King. Not that there's anything wrong with frying fries at BK. Somebody has to do it.

I don't get why parents think it's "too bad" that he isn't interested in college. Not every child aspires to go to college.

I think it's cool that you are ok with this. Kids need to know they are enough and acceptable. Loving parents make calm and good kids.

 

[penn19]

Of course you dont



Yet you just did it. WoW.



Funny, kinda how I feel about these posts. She simply asked advice. She wasnt obnoxious, she doesnt have it in the sig line, and OH LOOK! there is a satire thread now.

 

[clutter]

Not only is my dd not gifted academically (although very bright!), but she's also not a stellar athlete (although very athletic!). And even though she had some extreme personality quirks as a toddler, she's not special needs either.


I love her so much, but when I read the DIS, sometimes I think she's the only kid in the world that is unlabelable.

 

[Feralpeg]

I never had DD tested for IQ. I actually turned down the opportunity to put her in gifted classes because I didn't want her to struggle. She never had a problem in school and did take some AP classes, but nothing different than many kids.

If I had to identify what sets DD apart from some kids it is that she is very, very motivated. She has dreams that she wants to achieve and nothing will stop her from trying to reach her goals. She works her tail off to get where she wants to go.

To me, she is incredibly special. It doesn't really matter to me what anyone else thinks.

 

[Magpie]

I don't see this thread as a dig against gifted or average children

I see it more as someone pointing out how silly some parents are when discussing their "profoundly gifted" child. I think some posters even pretend to dislike the label.....but really why start a thread seeking advice?
It's just a big brag fest IMO.

Again, I really don't think anyone is disparaging the child or the possible struggles a truly gifted child may face, it's the parents who can be rather obnoxious about it.

I do dislike the label, actually. It sounds like a disability. Whereas, I think we're very lucky, actually.

And I've tried very hard not to be "obnoxious", when I was asking for advice on what to do. I got some good answers!