DD's psychologist is a big proponent of following the child's lead. She said that we need to focus on her interests at this point in time and forget about the word 'potential'. It is DD's choice as to what she will ultimately do with her abilities. I am trying my best to be supportive of keeping her a normal and happy kid at this point. I think parenthood is fraught with doubt and worry that we are not doing the right thing. I wish you luck with your journey.
I don't know Kathleen'smum....I love the idea of following a child's lead, but in the end I'm more of a 'supported push' type parent. Afterall - our kids won't know that we believe in them if we don't push from time to time. And what about environment? If all a child is ever surrounded with is kids who don't have her potential, then who will she look to as a clue to what is possible? I think one of the key things we miss as gifties is a reasonable peer group to compare ourselves to. And for our daughters, what about sexism, or any possible 'natural' tendency of females to blend in and not make waves? Expectations for females are lower enough in some cultures that what if 'following her lead' is just 'following her perceptions of artificial limits?' See the problem? But I agree that forgetting about the word 'potential' is a good idea - but that still leaves goals like 'getting to know one's true self through hard work' and 'learning how to engage with the challenge of learning material at the top of ones readiness level.' These are goals for all children - it's just that the ND kids get them without anyone having to articulate and plan and scheme. By definition, yes?
Love and More Love,
Grinity
