I wouldn't want my DD to actually BE 18yo. I like that she's 14, and that she is (mostly) okay with being 14yo. She has learned which facets of herself are most appropriate in which settings-- and while it makes me a little wistful that she can't be her COMPLETE self anywhere... it doesn't necessarily bother HER.
Does that make sense?
This makes perfect sense. We try to always have activities where intellect doesn't make a difference and that are just for fun (summer camp -- which is pure old school outdoor camp, not academic camp, martial arts, swimming, etc.).
If you're comfortable saying, there are parents who drive-by post and have older children... they might be able to offer insights into the specific EC program that your DD likes.
It's the Mary Baldwin PEG program (only the most extreme version of early college she could find, apparently). Even if she could get in (and competition is fierce) it may not be emotionally feasible to live across the country and dive headlong into full time university education. That said, we're not telling her that. We're letting her drive her interest in this area, supporting where we can (I called the admissions office at her request and passed along her questions had them send some material) but being realistic as well. And we've made it clear that the local community college is another way to wrap up high school and start college early if she needs to. That's pretty much the graduation path at her school for college bound kids, off to CC at 16 (or before).
Thank you so much for your feedback. I realize that there's a drop off in participation as these kids get older (I believe there's a thread on that topic here as well) so having someone who's ahead on the road is very valuable to me.
