Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Gifted Homeschoolers Forum, Transitions, and the Need for Parental Support!



Gifted Homeschoolers Forum, Transitions, and the Need for Parental Support!



For GHF - https://giftedhomeschooler.org
For GHF's blogs from around the world - https://giftedhomeschooler.org/blogs-2/blogs/
For GHF's blog hops - https://giftedhomeschooler.org/blog-hops/


Transitions are not always easy.  In fact, many people find transitions difficult.

The Gifted Homeschoolers Forum is in the middle of a transition.  For years, it has been a source of comfort and stability for me and many families.  That need for parental support never seems to go away.  In fact, I think it only increases!


My 2e son is 13 years old and is transitioning from being a child to a teen.  Most adults would agree that it's an awkward age and time period.  My son is no longer a baby, but he's not yet a fully fledged teen either.  His body and brain are changing.  A lot.  His needs are changing as well.

(My son's Adam's apple hasn't appeared yet, but it will soon!)

Suddenly my son wants to sleep a lot.  It's normal.  At times, though, it doesn't feel like it's 'normal'.  But then oftentimes, nothing feels 'normal' with a gifted/2e and like the land of topsy-turvy.  During these moments, I have a sudden urge to reach out to parents of older teens on GHF for reassurance.


As gifted/2e parents, we want reassurance.  We have doubts.  We have the gifted/2e kid who may veer from the 'standard' child development trajectory, and possibly veer off onto left field or another galaxy, it might seem.  We seek comfort and guidance from parents of older teens who have been there and know what it's like having a gifted/2e child, tween, or teen.

(This isn't my son sleeping, but it's very likely a teen who is!)


My son and I will soon be making a transition together.  We will be moving from the UK back to the US soon; my UK husband will be moving too once he can get his US resident green card reinstated and the house sold or in the process of being sold.  


For my son and I, this means we will no longer be American expats.  We will no longer see the fingers waving pointing at us as being (gasp) American.  We will no longer hear the tut-tutting when we open our mouths and speak American accents.  We will adjust from living in the UK to living in the US.  It will take time for sure.  


Moving is stressful.  It's another time when the need for parental support and GHF is great.  It can be less stressful though when you reach out to families in the GHF community and find others who have taken a similar path, been in similar shoes, or a gifted/2e child like yours.


(Of course, we're not moving by car from the UK to the US!!)

GHF is not restricted to American or American expats though.  It is open and welcome to all.  In fact, today, members live across six continents and part of a worldwide GHF community.  I cannot express how critical that is.


This is a vital part here.  As American expats, we have been able to be part of a worldwide GHF community and stay in contact with fellow Americans at home while living in the UK.  We have also met and been in contact online with GHF members across the world!  


Whatever it is, the point is to feel supported and less alone here, especially with a 2e child.  There is no doubt about it.  GHF can help tremendously. 



This is part of the Gifted Homeschooling Forum's Why We Love GHF - January 2019.  For more on GHF's blog hops from around the world, see:  https://giftedhomeschooler.org/blogs-2/blogs/.  For more of GHF's blog hop topics, see:  https://giftedhomeschooler.org/blog-hops/.





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