Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Hothousing- did you, didn't you, will you?

Welcome, Catherine!


Our DS6 has always been a kid with "obsessions," which is what we called them, too. LOL! As long as they're child-directed--as it sounds like they are for you, too--you're not hothousing. You're just following his needs where they take you.



What you're doing is exactly right. It is scary, but you're doing fine! Don't overdo the pressure (and I can say that because I have felt it!). He's a kid and you're a mom. Your job is to be sure his needs are covered, regardless of what those needs are, just like any other mom does with her kids. Is it a challenge? Sure. But you are already demonstrating that you're up to the challenge!

I joke that I KNOW I'm going to screw up my kids--I'm a mom and that's our job! LOL! But I try to remain consistent in HOW I screw them up so that they save money on therapy later. It's a lot easier to fix one thing that's broken than lots of things.

But seriously, all you can do is your best. If you're trying and you're being self-reflective about it, you're doing all you can do, and that's all a kid really needs. Love, limits, and parents who are trying their best.

I will say that I came to the conclusion fairly early that I had two choices: be seen as one of "those" parents, or have my child become one of "those" kids. I opted to carry that particular burden. I think it pays to make the decision early, because worrying about how you're perceived and effective parenting don't go very well together in my experience. FWIW...

Anyway, welcome!