My DH came from a family that made a huge deal out of his giftedness, constantly telling him he was special, smart, better in comparison to a sibling, always on the phone telling relatives etc about his latest accomplishment. Just talking about it makes DH uncomfortable. He says sometimes when he sees DS do something oddly ahead it makes him proud but in a egotistical way that he immediately loathes. So he'll downplay it trying to get away from feeling that. Basically sometimes when he thinks about DS being gifted he feels uncomfortable or guilty.
Other times he thinks about in a more practical (what the heck are we going to do) sort of way, and that seems more healthy and productive to me. And I do see him seem genuinely happy for DS many times when he accomplishes something, that is nice.
I don't really get why he isn't as wowed as me, in that holy cow amazement or simple appreciation of the unusual. I get that a lot, he doesn't. I'd love for him to say, "you'll never believe what DS did today".
I do doubt occasionally and more than I would if I had a different DH... doubt is good though as when doubt is removed we yet again realize not to take our kids for granted.
It is really nice to have this forum.
Polly
