Many times I am in awe and sure DS2.5 is way out there as well judging by the things he says and does. Much more insightful, intuitive, thinks about things with way more detail, picks up on peoples feelings, notices more detail etc. than
This is my DD. If you could label at kid PG in emotional intelligence, it would be her. She is an insightful, compassionate, and a problem solving kid. She has yet to have a disagreement with a peer. She will mediate discussions with friends that are having trouble coming to an agreement about something. I find she will perform according to what she believes you are going to hold her too. I started telling her I would read her a bed a bedtime story after she read one to me or to one of the dogs. I have a golden retriever that will sit and listen to her read to her.
She will performs academically but her motivation is different from her brothers motivations.
She will write the grocery list because she likes being helpful. She will read a harder book I put in front of her in order to get her favorite books read to her. My approach to her is very different, but she seems to be becoming more and more internally motivated. She is a sponge like her brother just not flashing all of her blink blink
The other thing to take into account is that second borns have many fewer 'party tricks' than their older sibs. Non first born (And here I classify anyone with a sib gap of 4 of more years as 1st born) are usually much higher in Emotional Intelligence, more flexible, longer fuse kind of people. They are used to Mommy not giving full 100% attention and instant response. I believe that these are good things, heartbreaking as they are to us Moms.
But I wish I had a nickle for every parent who thought that their 2nd born was 'less gifted' because the kid was 'less obvious, and less miserable looking.' We, who should know better if anyone anywhere does, have stereotypes about what gifted is - miserable, low EQ, and highly interested in showing off what they know academically.
Grinity
We have a 7 yr gap but it still holds pretty true for our #3.
I guess I owe you a nickel
