One of the things that I find most frustrating about raising kids (GT and non GT)is that feeling that no matter what decision you make, there are always comprimises, and no matter what you do another parent is likely to judge you. For example, natural childbirth? breastfeeding? co-sleeping? day care? and on and on.
This same pattern gets worse when you child has special needs of any kind. It gets to the point where most of us keep our mouths shut and don't share our highs and lows because we don't want to face the social consequences in our local communities.
I like this board because it seems like about the safest place around to share. When I have something to brag about I know I can come here. I do think "bragging" is OK here. And, I don't see anything wrong with being happy for someone who has found a school in which their children thrive (even if it isn't a school that we can or want to send our own child to)!
I wanted to come back to this, because it got lost in the shuffle, I think.
I agree wholeheartedly that parenting is hard enough without feeling like other people are judging your choices. I think it comes out of insecurity--if your way is good, then mine must not be--and that's a shame. Human, but a shame.
Complaining is usually socially acceptable, even about advanced behaviors, at least in my "everyone is GT" area. (i.e. "Oh, little Johnny is already walking, and it's just SO exhausting for me.") That's usually how people announced what their kids were doing in our playgroup, actually. They griped about how early their kids were doing things and what a pain it was. It's sort of backwards bragging, so that you are able to talk about what your child is doing, but without seeming like you're bragging.
Personally, I like hearing real bragging or real complaining better. Either one is more honest, and I like honest.
I love to hear the good here, and I'm happy to help as much as I can with the bad. I think that's what this forum is all about.
