Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion You know you're raising a child with OEs when...

That's a lovely story!

Yes - my DS8 is like this. He recently attended a camp where there was acting. He came home and told me that his camp counselor said something that DS did NOT agree with. Apparently his counselor told him that DS was very good at acting and liked the British accent he used in his role!

Another counselor told me the same when I dropped DS off the next day.

I'm pretty sure it's a combination of not wanting the attention (that comes from praise) and perfectionism (he feels it wasn't perfect).

I have another relative who is the same way.

HJA, our sons are sooooo alike! That sounds exactly like something DS6 would do/say.

When you pick up your DS at school and he's bawling his eyes out because his friends (yes, he is developing friendships!) want to start a rock band and he's beyond heartbroken because he's pretty convinced that you can't play the flute in a rock band.

Of course, he hasn't even learned to play any instruments yet (they start piano lessons in a few weeks), so he's really getting ahead of himself.

I promised we could search for a rock band that has a flutist. Any ideas anyone?

OMG - Jethro Tull. Flute in spades.

Omg, you have just made me so happy! Can't wait until the end of the work and school day so I can share with him! Yay.

Check this out, being a Jethro Tull fan myself I am old enough to remember when almost every movie sound track had a bootsie Collins like bass line with obligatory groovy flute interludes:-

great rock flute solos

Obviously, you may need to filter the above list depending on age and willingness to expose fragile young minds to the likes of the Beastie Boys - LOL

Manheim steamroller?

So... DS8's OEs continue to flourish in spades. One of many: He constantly needs to be reminded not to interrupt, interject or blurt out answers, questions and theories in class. I've finally suggested to the teacher that he might benefit from a notebook where he could jot down all of his ideas and questions, so that he could save them for a more appropriate time. If only his desire to learn and exchange on ideas could be channeled more effectively!

Btw, if anyone is interested in reading about OEs, I am finding "Living With Intensity: Understanding the Sensitivity, Excitability, and the Emotional Development of Gifted Children, Adolescents, and Adults" to be pretty interesting and informative so far.

RRD - a slight variation that works for some kids: notepad or whiteboard where they can write the answer and angle it so the teacher can see. This way, they *do* get to answer immediately, but they don't interrupt, nor monopolize. Glad he's flourishing!