101 Things I’ve Learned From Homeschooling My Gifted Son

1. Learning happens all the time if you just relax and let it.
2. Homeschooling can be unexpected.
   
3. Profoundly gifted guilt is real.
4. Gifted children are at high risk of underachievement.
5. Thinking about giftedness in terms of asynchronous development brings more understanding to this population.
6. Educators and school psychologists need more training on gifted and twice-exceptional students.
7. Reading aloud is always a good idea.
8. Homeschooling is a fantastic option for gifted and twice-exceptional children.
9. Giftedness and achievement are two separate things.
10. Acceleration is a wonderful option. There’s research, folks!
11. The socialization question is just plain silly. 
12. Advocate, advocate, advocate.
13. Sometimes, not-at-homeschooling is a better descriptor of what we do.
14. Homeschooling year round can be wonderful for kids who don’t fit in the proverbial box.
15. School is just a building. 
16. As a homeschooler, you’re going to doubt yourself all the time.
17. Some gifted children are unable to watch television.
18. When in doubt, #kennyhour.
19. I want to savor every magical drop of my children being little.
20. All you really need is a library card.
21. Nature is often the best teacher. 
22. I thought I was patient, but I’m not as patient as I thought.
23. More folks need to talk about giftedness.
24. I’ll need to outsource at some point.
25. Homeschooling is flexible.
26. Some people will think you hothouse.
27. Some people will judge your parenting, but others will be exceptionally kind. Thank them.
28. Some days, we have so much fun that I feel guilty admitting it.
29. And, other days, it’s really ugly.
30. It can be tricky to homeschool a child with sensory stuff.
31. On one particularly ugly day, I threatened to send him back. 
32. It can be hard to find a gifted community.
33. Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page is a wonderful resource.
34. Sometimes, in order to find local friends, you have to take matters into your own hands.
35. Gifted children are highly sensitive.
36. I’m thankful for the Davidsons.
37. Simple Homeschool is a wonderful, supportive resource.
38. Holt knew what he was talking about. 
39. Gifted children have overexcitabilities.
40. The GHF community and GHF bloggers are fantastic.
41. Gifted children are emotionally intense.
42. That proverbial apple does not fall far. Giftedness is not a solo journey but a family event.
43. Homeschool days rarely go as planned.
44. Gifted children can have incredible imaginations.
45. Gifted children can be learning disabled.
46. Creating an online community of parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children can be therapeutic! 
    
47. Gifted hindsight is 20/20.
48. Gifted children need intellectual peers.
49. Some gifted kids never stop moving.
50. Homeschooling on sick days can be hard.
51. There are some fantastic books out there on giftedness.
52. There are a lot of educators currently (unexpectedly) homeschooling and that speaks volumes as to the current state of public education.
53. You don’t need to know everything, you just need to be willing to learn alongside.
    
54. Google is my best friend.
55. It can take some time to relax into a homeschool rhythm.
56. There are so many wonderful choices out there for homeschooling these children.
57. Parenting a 2E child can be challenging.
58. Homeschool ideas that I think are really amazing might not be amazing to them.
59. Children can learn a great deal from maintaining a blog of their own (as can grown-ups!)
60. Homeschooling provides for so much freedom.
    
61. I’ve learned that parents are better identifiers of giftedness than teachers.
62. Gifted children can have BIG worries.
63. Reading can happen on the go.
64. Sometimes, testing for giftedness can be really helpful.
65. I’ve learned how difficult it can be to assess a gifted child due to ceilings.
66. Homeschooling through construction is tough stuff.
67. Homeschooling benefits even the kids you aren’t homeschooling.
68. Board games are a fun way to learn. 
69. Homeschooling allows for more family time.
70. Homeschooling projects can be personalized and heartfelt.
71. Having a homeschool mentor is a blessing.
72. It’s tough to keep these kids in books!
73. It’s important to take care of yourself.
74. Be sure to allow plenty of space in between all the things.
75. Your librarian is your best friend.
76. The best learning, and the easiest days, happen when the child is allowed to pursue his interests.
77. Don’t worry about what other people are doing- do what’s best for your family.
78. It’s important to remember that you were your child’s very first teacher. You can do this. 
79. I’ve learned that gifted education doesn’t have to be expensive.
80. I’ve discovered and I’m thankful for PG Retreat.
81. Logging books can be helpful.
82. Gifted parents need support, too.
83. Pen pals are amazing for learning.
84. Homeschooling is a learning opportunity for parents, too.
85. I love the site Free Range Learning and find it helpful when thinking about these children.
86. It can sometimes feel impossible to homeschool and keep your house clean-ish.
87. Strew, strew, strew!
88. When in doubt, simplify.
89. Television can be educational.
90. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
91. I’ve learned about imposter syndrome.
92. I’ve discovered SENG and I’m so thankful for the organization.
93. I’m not a teacher, just a facilitator.
94. It’s okay to skip sections, or chapters, or books… gifted children learn concepts quickly.
95. Gifted kids have a great sense of humor.
96. Gifted children ask a lot of questions!
97. You’re going to ask a lot of questions, too!
98. There are going to be things you love about homeschooling, and things you loathe.
99. Gifted children can be huge perfectionists.
100. Life is a learning journey.
101. While unexpected, I am thankful for this journey every single day. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Wondering if your child is gifted/2e?

Tell me… what have you learned on this journey? Share here!

This post has been part of the Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page August 2015 Blog Hop: Gifted 101. Please click on the image below to keep on hoppin’!

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I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.

~Maya Angelou

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