She told me she wants us to buy it because "I'm worried that the teachers don't make me do stuff in school because I already know it, but they don't teach me more so I think I'm going to get behind." lol...that was so cute of her to be thinking about her education. Makes me smile.
Chelsea
That's a great example of a story to illustrate the problem...I know it's 'cute' but remember that humor comes from a contrast of aspects we don't expect to see together. One doesn't expect a person in a child's body and life experience to be worried about their education, but that is the key of what asynchronous development is all about - it's stressful to a person with a child's body and life experience and emotional development to be saddled with adult concerns, such as the meaning of life and responsibility for the development of one's gifts. Tell the story but tell it as a poinant example of how she isn't getting her needs met, and feel compelled to do what the grown ups are supposed to being doing. This is
just as sad a kid her age who has to cook dinner and discipline the younger kids because the parents are too impaired to do the adult role. (Although thankfully less constant and global for your DD)
On one hand we get funny looks and people ask us 'why don't you just let her be a kid?' - but on the other hand, the only way to protect a child from assuming a role that is meant for adults is to find a way to get her the challenge she needs. How else are we supposed to 'let her be a kid' if the schools and parents don't work together to find a way to take back the role of planning her education?
I don't mean this as criticism of you sydness - I've BTDT and stifled back many a smile at the 'cute' things my son has said more times than I could count, but he was able to share with me how much he hated it that I expected him to be 'kidlike' in certain areas where he just wasn't. I know that you would present this story to the school in a totally urgent and serious way, I just have the feeling that there is a lurker reading this thread that really needs to hear that we have to take our children at the multi-levels that they are. ((Lurker, are you out there and want to step forward?))
We all do it, and we all look back with regret that things couldn't have been better. We all did the best we could have when balancing the whole bundle of family needs. The only consolation I have it 'For the Grandchildren!' - I really really expect things to be much easier for all of our Grandchildren. I believe that more of us understand the problem and are ready to find solutions. Things like Aleks are great peeks at the future solutions our Grandchildren will take as normal. You Go Sydness for allowing your DD to run free with Aleks!!!
Love and More Love,
Grinity
