My children are now grown and most of the issues of raising gifted children are behind me. My parenting journey was made easier by those who went ahead of me, but paused occasionally to reach back and lend me a hand or pass on some advice.  Having been the recipient of so much wisdom in my time, I pause now and reach back to help those who are following behind me.  Won’t you please pause for a moment to do the same? Are there parents with younger children who could benefit from your “been there, tried that” moments?  

My journey has been fascinating and made so much easier and more enjoyable by the small group of parents with whom I had the pleasure of traveling it. We read and discussed parenting books and gifted books; we attended lectures on underachievement and anxiety; we organized outings for our kids to the Chicago Fed and local museums; we agonized over gifted programming in our local schools; and when the time came we helped each other through our children’s college application processes.

I wish for each of you a cohort of parents who understand what you are going through and make your travels a little bit easier and a little bit more fun!  Won’t you consider organizing or joining a CGCC event or group and finding or building a cohort of your own?

As always, if you have suggestions or questions, please be in touch: NewenkaDuMont@ChicagoGiftedCommunity.org.