Parenting and stress are like peanut butter and jelly they just go together! When you toss in the stress and challenge of a gifted child in that mix, it will grow just a little bit more. Studies have shown that gifted children have a heightened sensitivity to their environment, events, ideas and expectations that revolve around them. When they strive for unrealistic expectations it can cause a stress overload.
A few of those stressors can be too many extracurricular activities such as: sports, clubs, etc. Children don’t always know what is best for them so it is your responsibility as the parent to make sure they are not overextending themselves in this area.
One of the key stresses that affect all children is self-esteem. At middle school into the high school years, they just want to fit in. They don’t want to be distinguished as “different” from their fellow classmates. When a child’s self-esteem begins to deteriorate their concentration falters, they become even more sensitive to criticism, and they begin to perform less, and become devastated when they do fail.
It is of the essence that the child has a stable and secure support system, who can do anything from getting payday cash advance to hold their hand. This will help them cope with their intellectual, social, and emotional needs through the stages of adolescence. They need to be helped in understanding their gifts, but also understanding the similarities and differences that they have with other students. This needs to come from someone educated on this, not their peers who will use it to their advantage as hurtful.
The gifted child will cope a lot healthier if they are able to wrap their minds around accepting their abilities, talents, and limits. Again, they are normal children besides their accelerated mind capabilities; they still need help in developing social skills to use in life.
Ultimately, the journey is one of figuring out the difference between the pursuits of excellence versus the pursuit of perfection.