Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Big (happy? 🙃) gifted family?

Two gifted parents. Five gifted children (ages 6 months (yes, it is already evident - I�m sure so many of you know what I�m talking about...!), 2, 4, 6, and 8). Then throw two adopted children, one of whom has some pretty intense ADHD/sensory/anxiety things going on, into the mix. You know, just for fun. 😌

Needless to say, this home is a whirlwind of noise, activity, and emotions, from sunup to sundown!

There is so, so much I could say to elaborate on our current situation (and, well, maybe I did and then deleted it, because I find myself writing/talking too much about things that are important to me, and that has not borne well with the majority of the population. I�m praying to find some resonance here? 💗), but I guess I am mostly reaching out to see if anyone else is in my situation, where you�re dealing with not only your own self (and all the existential drama that clamors within), but multiple little beings that are searching zealously for stimulation and sounding boards in their own young lives.

How do you all manage the craziness of multiple gifteds living under one roof? 😱🤪😌

Sorry, didn't see this. Now you've passed five posts, you should be able to avoid being hung up in moderation.

I have to say that I don't feel all that much like we're managing the craziness of multiple GTs--perhaps because it's all I've ever known. Just parenting, period. I think all parents (especially of multiple children) feel the whirlwind. We're often tired, make poor parenting choices (and immediately regret them), are not at our best with either our children or our partners, feel like we haven't seen our own personal identity in some time...but then there are those moments--you know them--when one of our children is spontaneously kind or generous, or smiles at the joy and beauty of life, or snuggles in close and trustingly.

The management part is just trying to stay one step ahead of the tsunami from moment to moment (though yes, calendar apps are pretty important to my life!). But really, what's critical for me is prioritizing the long view: we're growing healthy, happy, whole, loving people, building a foundation for their future through investing in our relationships with them. Anything that doesn't truly contribute to this goal is negotiable; I hold those loosely.

How did we manage the craziness of multiple gifteds living under one roof? By checking ourselves on not worrying about the little things and setting priorities as well as realizing nobody can do it all....but that doesn't mean we don't try!

Think of it like a budget or as if you're managing your family. You only have so many resources and there are always more demands on those resources than a supply. Focus on the big priority items, delegate authority, make children responsible for what they're capable of (and sometimes a bit more) and sometimes you simply have to say no, we can't do that, we simply don't have the time / resources.