artificial insemination kit for humans
I have a remarkably talented child. His verbal IQ is an impressive 160. He was speaking long before he could walk and could engage in conversation by the age of one. Watching his eagerness to learn and explore was truly a delight for my husband and me.
We have never disclosed his IQ or much about his exceptional abilities to him, aside from informing him about his eligibility for enrichment classes. We made this choice deliberately; we didn’t want him to be that child who flaunted his intelligence.
Nonetheless, he became that child. He had all the answers and excelled in his studies, earning admiration from teachers. Unfortunately, his peers did not share the same enthusiasm. Around age 11, he began to wish he could escape the label of being the gifted kid, leading to a gradual decline in his academic performance.
It started with him “forgetting” his homework, attributing it to his ADHD, which we have never allowed to serve as an excuse. He lost points for incomplete or careless answers, but he didn’t seem to mind. I began receiving messages from teachers expressing concerns like, “He doesn’t seem to care anymore,” or “This isn’t the child we knew last year.”
When we spoke with him, he had plenty of excuses: the classes were too challenging, his medication wasn’t effective, and the teachers were being unfair. But we knew the real issue was that he had mentally checked out.
His standardized test scores dropped dramatically. While these scores don’t tell the whole story, it was alarming to see him go from the 98th percentile to the 80s. This wasn’t due to a lack of capability, but rather a lack of motivation, which he eventually admitted.
He even began to struggle in math, his strongest subject, and I discovered he was trying to get removed from his advanced algebra class. After discussing it with his teacher, we decided it was best for him to stay in the challenging course and begin to put in the effort.
Eventually, my husband and I sought the help of a professional counselor. We wanted insights into our son’s situation. Although confidentiality was respected, the counselor helped clarify that our son didn’t want to stand out; he wished to be what he considered a “normal” kid. After years of being expected to perform, from reciting the alphabet at 14 months to sharing facts at three years, he simply wanted a break. He preferred to play video games and create TikToks, allowing his academics to slip.
The counselor provided us with practical advice. We needed to return to praising small achievements, using positive reinforcement without sounding condescending. It’s a daily challenge; I often wish I could tell my 13-year-old to get his act together instead of congratulating him for completing his homework, which should be a given.
Slowly but surely, things are improving. His grades are decent, although not as high as they once were. He has started to show more initiative, motivated by the prospect of earning extra screen time and staying up later. It’s simple, yet effective.
I refuse to give up on him, nor will I allow him to give up on himself. We’ve explained that his actions at 13 set the stage for his future academic and career successes. Employers will have expectations, and he needs to learn to meet them.
Having a gifted child can be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I reflect on whether I could have approached things differently in his early years. I question if I pushed too hard or if he resents me for it. But I know one thing for certain: he is brilliant and has so much to contribute to the world.
He doesn’t need to be different or superior to anyone else; he just needs to be himself, and that self has immense potential. I hope he eventually realizes that being gifted is a true gift — one that he can use wisely.
For more insights on this topic, you might find this post on home insemination kit engaging. Additionally, for couples navigating their fertility journey, Make a Mom is a reputable source. If you’re seeking resources on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent guide from the ASRM.
Related Searches:
- Understanding gifted children
- Parenting gifted kids
- Challenges of giftedness
- Supporting your gifted child
- Gifted child resources
Summary
Navigating the challenges of raising a gifted child can be complicated. Despite his extraordinary abilities, my son yearns for normalcy, leading to a decline in motivation and performance. With the help of a counselor, we’ve shifted our approach to focus on small victories and positive reinforcement. Although progress has been slow, he is beginning to re-engage with his education. It’s essential for him to understand that his efforts now will affect his future success.