new book that looks like an important read! Emotional Intensity of the G student! - Page 2

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by Starflower

If you order it today, you probably will win a copy!

It doesn't look like it would be any cheaper for me to use Amazon so I am thinking about getting it from Prufrock. With the Hoagies code I may be able to get two books! Yeah!

[Amy0417]

This is awesome! I can't wait...

[joensally]

Ok, I received it Friday and have read it through.

My .02 is that if you've read a lot of books on gifted and/or emotion coaching, there's not a lot new here. It's a great introductory book (fleeting references to Dabrowski, a lot of talk about introversion/extroversion, annoying repeated references to the nature of being gifted, which is my new pet peeve). I felt the dealing with emotional meltdowns section was ok but not much new there. And her case studies all willingly went to their rooms to be alone and calm down.

IMO, the best part of the book was the last section which dealt with the parent as coach and provided sample exchanges between parent/child and offered alternative dialogue a la How to Talk so Kids Will Listen.

[Samm]

Originally Posted by joensally

Ok, I received it Friday and have read it through.

And her case studies all willingly went to their rooms to be alone and calm down. .

A bit OT - but joensally, you made my night with this line! We are about ready to lose our minds here . . . so who addresses this part of emotional meltdowns????

Thanks,
Samm

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by joensally

Ok, I received it Friday and have read it through.

My .02 is that if you've read a lot of books on gifted and/or emotion coaching, there's not a lot new here. It's a great introductory book (fleeting references to Dabrowski, a lot of talk about introversion/extroversion, annoying repeated references to the nature of being gifted, which is my new pet peeve). I felt the dealing with emotional meltdowns section was ok but not much new there. And her case studies all willingly went to their rooms to be alone and calm down.

IMO, the best part of the book was the last section which dealt with the parent as coach and provided sample exchanges between parent/child and offered alternative dialogue a la How to Talk so Kids Will Listen.

oh, pooh bear. so it isn't a magic bullet.

yeah, going willingly to the room to calm down... that happens here maybe rarely.

we're doing well, and so I'm not as desperate for the book.
But parenting books are always kind of a let down for me....

[joensally]

Originally Posted by Samm

A bit OT - but joensally, you made my night with this line! We are about ready to lose our minds here . . . so who addresses this part of emotional meltdowns????

Thanks,
Samm

Well, everything I've read pretty much agrees that once they're fully engaged in a meltdown, they've got to just crest the wave as it were. It's all in avoiding getting there. For DD, she gets stuck and cannot be alone at that point, so there's no way she's going to go to her room. If she does go to her room (with the requisite door slam), I know it's not the crest because she'll come find me to connect negatively with to finish it off. Ugh.

We've figured out some strategies that help, but there's no full avoidance of this as it's kind of like a pressure release valve related to intensity, IMO. We try to have lifestyle strategies to reduce the frequency, but sometimes she's overwhelmed by something in her life.

If you're looking for book ideas, here are a few off the top of my head. I found lots of good insights in the following, although no one book answered it all.

The Explosive Child
The Spirited Child
Sleepless in America
Transforming the Difficult Child
Getting to Calm (for tweens/teens - but really good ideas and AP)

Also, reading up on sensory issues, anxiety issues and brain development/neuroplasticity.

Welcome to this "elite" club .

[joensally]

This is a better review than mine:
http://laughingatchaos.com/2010/10/1...seca/#comments

I think it's a good book. I've just read A LOT of books, kids have seen highly skilled professionals ... at this point (read: this week, possibly just today )I think we've got most of it down other than the magic bullet that cures the intensity (or inability to manage the intensity, more properly).

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by joensally

This is a better review than mine:
http://laughingatchaos.com/2010/10/1...seca/#comments

I think it's a good book. I've just read A LOT of books, kids have seen highly skilled professionals ... at this point (read: this week, possibly just today )I think we've got most of it down other than the magic bullet that cures the intensity (or inability to manage the intensity, more properly).

I'm thinking it will be something I can give to the school/teachers so they stop wondering what is wrong with my child I'm looking forward to the worksheets.