Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Middle School Balancing Homework with Social Drama

Yippee!
DS12/8th grade is having a great time socially this year. He's also doing well academically, and although he's probably at the bottom edge of his readiness level, it's a good enough fit, although I wish I didn't have to settle for 'one or the other.'

Anyway - last night he was on the phone from 8pm to 9pm with a friend in some kind of 'Social Drama.' I was proud of the consentrated caring and attention he pumped out. I wasn't pleased about the study time that was used up, though.

I heard myself saying: 'Is this a life or death matter? Because if so - we call 911! If not, time to get back to your primary responsibilities.'

I can see that that is going to become a routine.

The studying got done, and bedtime was defended. Limits were set. But I'd sure love to hear how your family has traveled the waters of having an emotionally intense, justice orriented, gifted young teen in the house.

love and more love,
Grinity

Grinity, my DS's are still too young for all this, but I am going to watch this thread and store the information for when they are older

Grins!!

Welcome to my world....My children will all concur that i'm too strict, but it works. In our house my kids are not allowed to use the phone until all of their homework and all of their chores are done. Bedtimes are set in stone and no one is allowed to be on the phone after 9:00. There have been a few occasions where serious situations have come up that require the rules to be tossed but luckily in those cases my kids are really good about getting me involved.

My DD14 has a very strong sense of justice and tends to get herself involved in things that shouldn't be her concern, so there has been more than one conversation regarding what defines "serious". I firmly believe that there is a very good chance she'll grow up to be the next "Dear Abby".