Parent Power

In order to speak up for themselves, gifted kids need great advocates.  And parents, grandparents, and other family members are generally their first and most ardent supporters. 

Yet parents often have the same gripes as their children . . . and rightfully so.  Frequently no one explains what it means to be gifted nor what is needed to address differing abilities in the school environment.

SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) is an organization that can help.   Their mission? To empower families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals: intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Parents that I’ve worked with say our SENG Parent Discussion Groups have been life-savers, addressing the joys and frustrations of raising a gifted child! Discussion topics include motivation, discipline, stress management, and peer relationships.

As one mother put it, “I would strongly recommend this group to any parent. The sharing that took place broadened my concept of how giftedness affects our family relationships.  I found not only support but understanding and a great deal of useful and practical information. The networking and insights from other parents’ experiences was awesome.  Mostly this group has helped me not to feel alone.”

 

During the past several years, WATG has orchestrated SENG Model Parent Group training here in Wisconsin.  You can find a list of facilitators on the SENG website and also through WATG.  Contact them if you'd like to get a group together in your area.

BTW . . . This afternoon I spoke with Rosina Gallagher, SENG past president and IL Assoc for Gifted Children president, and plans are progressing well for this summer's SENG Conference, Shining Light on Giftedness, right here in Wisconsin.  See you there!