Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Accumulative Damage...The Wonder Years

I once heard that the look on the face of a parent with a gifted child is terror.

I think it's annoyance and horror.

Annoyance at the constant pushing of the envelope and horror of the consequences.

Don't get me wrong. I am amazed at my son and what he comes up with. But at the same time I'm weary of the accumulative damage to not only our home, but to my nerves.

I won't go into details much because I'm pretty sure what he has done is not approved by Good Housekeeping, but suffice to say he's a bit poorer since paying for the outcome of his latest escapade.

Please somebody, give me an amen? Am I alone in this?

Ouch.

Well, perhaps Santa Claus will bring you a copy of Technically, It's Not my Fault for the upcoming holiday season?

Because that really put it all into perspective for DH and myself, ultimately-- he ruined the largest crescent wrench that his father owned seeing what Joule heating was all about... and I explored physics in some unapproved ways involving staircases, laundry chutes, and gravity.

We both flirted with explosives.

Somehow both we and our parents survived, if this is any consolation.


{PS. In related news, DD has in fact had to spend a full weekend scraping goo off of wood floors, and tape off of painted trim molding.)

Thanks, HK. Your response summed up the kinds of things we're seeing around here. I'm a bit nervous thinking that it may get worse. DS is the type that says to himself, "Hey, what happens if I do...?" and not one to think it totally out before throwing the switch. His dad was echoed in some of what you said you did and my brother in some of your DH!

Good news is we have full homeowners, an umbrella policy and root touch-up.

On the bright side, my DH can verify that Sears really does back every Craftsman tool with an unconditional replacement or money-back guarantee. Or they did in the 1970's at least.

Because I'm very certain that: 1) marine deep-cycle batteries, 2)four of them, 3) in series, 4) car jumper cables, three sets of those, and 5) both terminals, was NOT what that item was intended to be used upon-- but they did apparently replace that 28" wrench no questions asked.




Apparently the tennis-ball launcher was a different matter, once home-brewed napalm had been used too liberally.

(No, I'm actually not joking).

Each of us nearly burned our childhood homes down at several points. DD lit a few things on fire, too. I recommend keeping smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every level of one's home.

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