Comments for Raising My Boychick

Comment on Muscle: Studentum burntoutus profundus by Susannah

Susannah — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:31:36 +0000

*holds you* Will bring chai and laughter. Send voicemail, email, text, or smoke signal. Must help this studentum last! <3

Comment on A study in endurance and ableism by Muscle: Studentum burntoutus profundus « Raising My Boychick

Muscle: Studentum burntoutus profundus « Raising My Boychick — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:17:46 +0000

[...] A study in endurance and ableism [...]

Comment on NPFP Guest Post: When “Gifted” Isn’t a Gift by Lisa C

Lisa C — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:14:36 +0000

I was never labeled as gifted but my teachers knew I was smart and complained that I wasn’t reaching my potential, or else praising my perfect work. I loved answering questions and learned to back off to give other kids a chance to answer. But luckily I didn’t receive too much criticism. Students asked me for help, which made me feel valuable. Still, I did have a hard time finding a group to fit in with. Anyway, I just don’t like how schools often don’t fit the needs of the children and hope to avoid that whole scenario with my kid. All children, regardless of whether they are gifted, average, or challenged, need individual attention in their schooling.

Comment on NPFP Guest Post: When “Gifted” Isn’t a Gift by Politicalguineapig

Politicalguineapig — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:48:29 +0000

Emerson- total co-sign. I had pretty good grades throughout school- and I would’ve traded it all to be blonde, and skinny. Or a male and a jock.

Comment on NPFP Guest Post: When “Gifted” Isn’t a Gift by Politicalguineapig

Politicalguineapig — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:39:39 +0000

Katie B: My particular nemesis was a third grade girl, but I totally agree that girls are more gifted at causing pain than boys. I was the kid who was reading chapter books in kindergarten- and dragging home books I’d already read from the school library to give myself a cover.
Yeah, girls with brains have it rough. Even now I’d trade every single brain cell to be thin and blonde.

Comment on NPFP Guest Post: When “Gifted” Isn’t a Gift by Amber

Amber — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:33:10 +0000

I was a gifted child, too. Or, at least, I was always the smartest kid in any class I took until I entered engineering school (with the other gifted kids) in university. I identify with a lot of what you’re saying here. I dumbed myself down, I faced high expectations, and I was torn between my intellectual interests and my social development.

My children, so far, appear to be more or less average. I am generally happy about this. Being ’smart’ didn’t necessarily make me better at life. But I will admit, I am so accustomed to being the one who knows all of the answers that when my kids DON’T I have a hard time maintaining perspective. It is very conflicting for me. I like the idea that they won’t face the same difficulties I did, but I am so addicted to praise (since I always got it) that I feel it’s alarming if myself and my kids aren’t being heaped with it. I’m working on it.

Comment on How to Pick an Anti-Kyriarchy Preschool, Part One: Why by Emi

Emi — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:53:36 +0000

One thing to find solace in is that you arrived at who you are as part of a journey and life education and you were not “protected” from all the ugly stuff of life so I think that there is no one path to being an aware, sensitive, confident, accepting, thoughtful (and any other adjectives you want for him/her) person. I read a quote today “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” ~Robert Fulghum

Comment on NPFP Guest Post: When “Gifted” Isn’t a Gift by The Author

The Author — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:03:14 +0000

The first thing I want to say is that I’m relieved by the response I’ve received for this. I was very hesitant to write, but the anonymity here gave me the freedom to talk about these things that I’ve wanted to talk about for a long time. Even though I hate that others have had similar experiences to my own, it feels good to know that there are others who understand me.

I’ve taught gifted kids for several years and I really enjoy them, but I’m not going to be doing it anymore, at least not for a while. The workload that comes along with how gifted classes are set up in my school board is just too much; I teach 3 different grade levels at the same time and I’m expected to cover all the curriculum for all 3 grades throughout the year, plus write IEPs for all the gifted students (in first term, that was 47 IEPs). It’s 3-4x the work of a teacher in a “regular” classroom. I need more time with my family right now. It’s taken me a while to do this for myself, in part because I know that they might end up with teachers who believe that gifted kids should just get more work to do or who just plain don’t understand them.

Comment on Open thread: On first periods by Madeleine

Madeleine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:43:58 +0000

P.S-The bra was my first and she knew I was really wanting one(no need yet).And this magazine was a great follow up gifthttp://www.newmoon.com/magazine/

Comment on Open thread: On first periods by Madeleine

Madeleine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:40:39 +0000

My mom was pretty great about it.I was thirteen(1999) and at home when it happened.When I told her she hugged me,got me a pad,asked about cramps and offered herbal tea.I was mortified but grateful.A few days later she gave me a very pretty white eyelet bra and some books.Nice Mama.