LOL zhian! I was actually thinking of a few people I've known in similar situations and they were women, and the child you were describing was a girl.
I think your right, it depends on the exact situation. And there are probably advantages and disadvantages each way.
I found what the dynamic you described with your mother very interesting. I always struggled with that! When I read about giftedness as an adult, it was quite overwhelming to realise that I wasn't just being obstinate etc, it was how my brain worked.
This i think is what kids who aren't identified can miss, because they are aware enough to know they are different, but without the label, they might not know they are different, but still OK.
