Having gifted children is amazing and exhausting. They are active and not necessarily just physically active. We have one that cannot stop her brain from needing input, creating, making and asking. We have one that is curious and physically everywhere. We have one that wants to be with you wherever you are, creates her own language and new words. She was using 3-5 word sentences by 18 months old. Put them all together, and there is not a moment of rest!
It is HARD raising little people whose brains and bodies DON'T STOP!
I remember our oldest daughter stopped taking naps completely at 2 1/2. She wouldn't stay in her room for rest time without literally getting everything out for her intricate, imaginary play taking half an hour to pick everything back up. I would tell other parents about the barrage of questions and non stop need for stimulation, but there weren't many that had the same issue. Their kids would nap until 3 or 4 years old and not continually ask to do another activity. I envied them!
Her thirst for knowledge is amazing and unquenchable. She's easily at a mid year first grade reading level at 5 years old. Now with 3 kids, I find myself at my wits end by lunchtime since the baby is a walking tornado. My middle is a sweet, silly girl that often picks up on the stress. She likes to stay under me like a chick under a mother hen. When I've just had enough, she realizes it after calling my name for the 67th time that day and will just say, "Mommy, I love you." My sweet girl knows I've had my limit of being asked to do something, get a baby off the table or answer questions.
I try to think of the alternative-children that aren't able to express themselves or communicate or children without mobility to explore their worlds or pester siblings. I thank God for my children as they are. I pray for the grace, guidance, patience, faith and LOVE to parent these extremely active children that have such a desire to learn and know more. God, help me!
It is HARD raising little people whose brains and bodies DON'T STOP!
I remember our oldest daughter stopped taking naps completely at 2 1/2. She wouldn't stay in her room for rest time without literally getting everything out for her intricate, imaginary play taking half an hour to pick everything back up. I would tell other parents about the barrage of questions and non stop need for stimulation, but there weren't many that had the same issue. Their kids would nap until 3 or 4 years old and not continually ask to do another activity. I envied them!
Her thirst for knowledge is amazing and unquenchable. She's easily at a mid year first grade reading level at 5 years old. Now with 3 kids, I find myself at my wits end by lunchtime since the baby is a walking tornado. My middle is a sweet, silly girl that often picks up on the stress. She likes to stay under me like a chick under a mother hen. When I've just had enough, she realizes it after calling my name for the 67th time that day and will just say, "Mommy, I love you." My sweet girl knows I've had my limit of being asked to do something, get a baby off the table or answer questions.
I try to think of the alternative-children that aren't able to express themselves or communicate or children without mobility to explore their worlds or pester siblings. I thank God for my children as they are. I pray for the grace, guidance, patience, faith and LOVE to parent these extremely active children that have such a desire to learn and know more. God, help me!
