Thank you for this interesting conversation. I have really felt at least something in common with each of you. My experience was definitely less traumatic than many stories told on this board. I suspect I'm not as outrageously "gifted" as many of you even though I was labeled that way.
In kindergarten at public school I remember being set out in the hall to work on 1st-2nd grade math books (which felt isolating and miserable!) I was never told my own IQ... My parents mentioned to me one time that when I was being tested, the tester admired my intellectual ability but was worried that I would not develop social skills (something I wish I didn't know!!) In 4th grade at public school I was placed in the "gifted" program, which was just going to a separate room every once in a while and doing creative activities.
From 6th grade on, I was sent to a fancy private school. I think my parents and grandparents pulled together and struggled to do so. While I am so, so grateful for the academic opportunities I had there, the social environment, at least in middle school, was kind of damaging. The fact that it was an expensive school seemed to polarize kids into "smart" versus "rich".
I got a full college scholarship, but when I got there, I did have the experience of receiving less than A's and actually having to work! And then I too went through a burnout period where I just didn't want to work hard any more. I had a boyfriend who was not a good influence (again, something I read from one of you) and I lost my original career goals. I took a detour and became an art student, even though this wasn't my greatest strength... Fortunately toward the end of college I met my husband, who gave me the stability I needed. I had a nice career in graphic design for about 8 years, until I decided to stay home with my daughter.
I never did have the high powered career that I pictured when I was 12 or 13 (wearing a fancy suit and traveling the world and contributing to world peace and such.) But I am happy with my home and family. I am currently searching for a business or hobby that I can pursue while at home with my daughter, something that is stimulating and challenging.
My only concern now is that I might be expecting my own child to be "gifted"... she is only 26 months but it is starting to cross my mind. She already learned her colors, counting, and nursery rhymes and now she is into memorizing books (not that she is reading, but she knows lots of books word for word.) It is hard not to expect things of your child when you've been through this whole "gifted" process.
