Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Do we prepare the child for the journey

Haha, except I read "I might say that person's pants are on fire." as in "Liar, Liar, pants on fire!"

Yes, I think that's how 'Neato intended it. But I like imagining the job description:

Seeking: a dynamic, creative individual with a burning desire to get ahead, a warm spot in her heart for the unusual and the ability to get fired up for a job...

ROFL!!!

Hey - me too! A girl's got to dream!

Of course every job has it's downfall. I guess it's a matter of having enough passion and interest to make the not so fun parts worth it.

Edited to say - I also meant to say, I really think for me a lot of my lack of tolerance for these aspects of my previous career has to do with years of under achievement. Parenting has helped a lot with that!

What I've read is that most people do indeed do what they are 'best' at, but that for broadly Gifted children they have far too many choices. The trick is to do a career that agrees with their values. I loved reading this because looking back, that's what I did - I looked at the career in terms of how it serves other people and how I get satisfaction from serving.

I knew I'd need to interact one-to-one, in a fairly consentrated and hands-on way, and that I'd love interacting a large number of people. I knew that the job had to be one that supported me while being unambiguously helpful for the people I served. I looked at all the grown ups around me and analysed what they did in terms of my values. The only mistake I made was totally missing how satisfying parenting would be - that's the job that lights up all my 'delighted challenge' meter bulbs.

Love and More Love,
Grinity

I guess this is what I'm searching for - people who figured it out. That is good advice (choosing a career that agrees with your values). So far, the only advice I was qualified to give my child was "don't do what I did." So thanks everyone for the useful nuggets.

I too have found that parenting is a delightful challenge, and I'm having a lot of fun. So for now, I'm happy. Poor, but happy!

Kimck - sent you a PM.

I read this recently:

The Prodigy Puzzle by Anne Hulbert

You can find it on:

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/gifted-ed/news.shtml

It talked about a group of Davidson fellows being honored. Most were in the sciences. There was one poetry person. It was interesting read, I thought.

Ren

I read about a quarter of the way through that article and found this:

Sometimes I wonder about that, and try to leave enough bumps in the road for GS8 to learn to navigate himself. It can be a daunting task of knowing if a bump is just a bump he needs to jump himself and learn the feeling of accomplishment, or if it will turn into a roadblock leaving him feel defeated.

This kind of self-knowledge is the stuff that I think is really helpful. Well done, Grinity! It's what I was getting at about needing the career path to be practical for you. If you are someone who needs one-on-one contact, you shouldn't choose a job that requires you to work alone, nor should you choose one that puts you in front of huge groups. THIS is the kind of nuts-and-bolts self-knowledge that I think kids need to get before they choose a career.

It's also what I didn't do...

So the key, I think, is KNOW THYSELF!

Me too! Parenting really is wonderful on so many levels. I'm just fine with being (relatively) poor, but happy. I still have this nasty latte habit I'm trying to break.

Got the PM!

Get a cappuchino maker, kimck! They're not that expensive anymore, and then you can afford your latte habit (and still pay for college eventually!).