Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Has anyone just taken a year off?

I took several years off to serve in the Army after HS. The leadership skills I picked up were key in getting me to where I am today.

I also basically took off the years from age 9 to age 14 when I got into a really good HS. I just hid in the back and read my books.

My DD really likes this idea! I was sure she wouldn't.

It made a difference when in PS, she actually would have needed another skip, but now that she is homeschooling it just doesn't seem to matter and I'd like to give her some freedom before she buckles down for high school. I let her go today and she spent the whole day either on Alcumus (math) or reading for history. I am thrilled about the math, especially since her online class is tonight as well.

we don't homeschool, but our experience with DD's school has been rather dreadful so far and even worse this year, though I think this is her best teacher yet. If we switch schools, I am considering letting her take some additional time off from the classroom environment to try to erase some of the past damage

I've never thought of this idea, sounds wonderful to me! My son is on a mission to get out of school as soon as he can and I'm exhausted. I would love to take a year off to just explore subjects. I'd say do it.

Personally, I LOVE this idea! My 11 year old (as of a couple days ago - 5th grader by age), is also doing great with AoPS this year, love his extras (circus, theater, spanish, etc), reads ravenously. But everything else is just ho hum. I've resisted taking him to high school level science because he doesn't LOVE it and I know he'd resent the work load right now. Even though he is more than ready for it. We don't do AoPS online either because I think the work load would kill him. Besides I *LOVE* doing AoPS with him. I feel like we're half way to unschooling right now. He's spending tons of time programming computer games, including designing his own graphics and writing his own music.

At least with my own gifted kids, I don't feel like straight acceleration in a classroom with a high output expectation is the best option. Grateful we can homeschool for the moment! Enjoy your year!

I read about traveling by freighter years before we had kids and thought it would be a great way to take an extended trip with an older child.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Freighter_travel

With the rise in piracy, I suppose I'm less inclined, although still quite intrigued by the idea.

When I first read the subject line of this thread, freighter travel was the first thing that popped into my head!