Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Does your DH/DW ever make you doubt?

Yes, I'm exaggerating a bit here to make a point, but since there are no official definitions of 'PG' I feel that I'm safe here.

Actually your DD is pretty much a case in point: her strengths are beyond what modern IQ tests can measure. No doubt she also has some pretty significant 'bottlenecks' if not downright LDs. That's quite a spread - my son has that as well. I'm happy for your family that you homeschool! Go You Dear!

Love and More Love,
Grinity

I just wanted to post an update. DH seems finally get it as she has been recently reading quite a lot new words. It is clear to us that she can read words but she shows no interest in reading sentences if she does not have them memorized. I think reading at 2 is so clearly not the norm that he had to admit her being very advanced. He also tested her some math with m&ms and she can can add and subtract some. He tried to mention his mom that we think DD can read and she did not understand what he said, she thought he meant DD is imitating reading a book not really reading. I have not mentioned it to my parents as I think they would think I'm insane.

Let them think you are insane. You should feel free to talk to your parents and your husband's parents and be honest about what their granddaughter is capable of doing. Consider them a starting point for your advocating training!

Oli,

I have experienced almost the exact same thing; my dd's development mirrors your child's. The difference is that I did not work with my child hardly at all in regards to academics. My husband would get down on the floor and do puzzle, letters, or numbers with her. He thought that he was responsable for her advanced developement. He has gradually come to realize that she is gifted in her own right and this has nothing to do with us. We do not help her on any of her school projects, essays, math, etc and she continues to excel.

Polly's comment-
"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 guess my theory here would be that men are gererally more vested in the workplace. Practical experience has told them that being highly intelligent does not guarantee success in the workplace. Studies have shown that EQ is more important than IQ. In fact, I think being super smart can result in someone not fitting in as well by virtue of their understanding things at a different level.

I try to keep my dd social. I find it much more challenging to do this than I think the parent of an average child would because dd is not at the same conversation level as her age peers. Of note is that in the real work, people are often promoted because their boss feels comfortable with them... this leads to trust. Studies have shown that people feel more comfortable with people who are similar to them.

I have taken a stance emphasizing that hard work and good manners (people skills) trumps intelligence while discussing abilities in our home. My husband seems comfortable with this stance.

Please excuse my over-anaylsis of the situation... I am a sociology major.