Raising Gifted Kids: What Parents Want to Know
- Julie Church
- Nov 25
- 4 min read
Finding Your People
By Danielle Sullivan, Ed.D.
Parenting a gifted child can feel like standing on an island. Other parents talk about soccer schedules and missing homework, while you’re quietly wondering, “Is it normal for my eight-year-old to cry because a math worksheet feels too easy?”
You nod and smile, but inside there’s that whisper: No one else gets this.
Maybe your child melts down over a small mistake, as if a single drop of rain turned into a flood.
Maybe they ask questions so deep you feel like you’re treading water—trying to stay afloat in conversations you never expected to have with a child.
Maybe they say, “School is boring,” and every morning feels like swimming against the current just to get them out the door.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—though it often feels that way. Many parents of gifted kids begin their journey in silence, unsure whether to speak up, afraid it might sound like bragging, or simply exhausted by explaining what “different” really means.
Why It Matters
Many parents of gifted kids quietly believe two myths: first, that they should be able to handle things on their own; and second, that gifted children don’t need much support because they’re already ahead.
Both ideas sound reasonable—and both can leave families feeling isolated. When challenges arise, parents often think, If my child is so smart, why does this feel so hard? That question can echo in silence for years.
The truth is, gifted children need connection just as much as they need challenge—and so do their parents. When you find even one person who understands your child’s intensity, humor, or deep curiosity, everything begins to shift.
You realize your child isn’t “too much”—they just need something different. You stop second-guessing every emotion or meltdown. You start to breathe again, remembering that your instincts are valid.
Gifted children thrive when the adults in their lives feel supported and steady. Finding your people won’t erase the hard moments, but it will make them lighter—and it reminds you that neither you nor your child has to walk this journey alone.
Where to Start
Finding your people doesn’t happen overnight—it begins with one small, brave step. Many parents wait for the “right moment” or the “perfect group,” but connection usually starts in quieter ways.
Begin with reflection. Notice the moments that feel heavy or confusing—the times you’ve wondered if you’re the only one. Writing them down isn’t bragging; it’s a way to name what’s real.
Find one safe person. You don’t need a full support group. Try starting with one trusted friend or relative. A simple statement—“Sometimes my child gets frustrated when school feels too easy”—can open a door you didn’t know was there.
Look for natural overlap. Pay attention to other kids who ask big questions or think differently. Sometimes, a quick comment like “My child does that too” creates instant understanding.
Follow your child’s curiosity. Gifted kids often find their people through shared passions—robotics, art, chess, nature trails. When your child feels connected, you often meet kindred parents too.
Connect. If you’re not ready to reach out to a group or start small with a friend, read an NCAGT article, listen to a podcast, or follow a page that makes you feel seen. Then share it with someone. Each click or conversation reminds you: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to do this in silence.
What Parents Can Do Right Now
Before you search for the perfect group or the right words to describe your child, pause. The most important work begins with how you see yourself in this story.
Start by recognizing that you are your child’s first mirror. The way you respond to their intensity, curiosity, or frustration teaches them that being “a little different” is not something to hide—it’s something to understand.
Give yourself permission to not have all the answers. Parenting a gifted learner isn’t about mastering strategies; it’s about staying curious alongside your child. The best connections often begin when you share—not solutions—but questions.
And remember: you don’t have to wait for experts or programs to validate your experience. Every time you speak honestly about your child’s needs, you make it easier for another parent to do the same. That’s how a community grows—one open conversation at a time.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to downplay your experience or handle it alone. Parenting a gifted child isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. Every time you speak honestly about your child’s needs or your own challenges, you make it easier for another parent to do the same.
Finding your people won’t make parenting effortless, but it will make it lighter. It’s a reminder that you and your child truly belong.
You don’t need a crowd–just one or two people who really get it. Bit by bit, those small connections grow into a community built on understanding instead of myths.
Finding your people means choosing openness over isolation. It’s how we trade quiet doubts for shared strength–and how we rewrite the story of what it means to raise gifted kids.
Your voice matters. Use it. Every story you share helps build the community gifted learners–and their parents–deserve.
Parent to Parent: Where have you found support as a parent of a gifted learner? Share your ideas in the comments—you never know who might need them.
Fridge worthy:
Finding Your People: What to Remember
Parenting a gifted child can feel like an island—these reminders help you build your bridge.
You don’t have to do this alone—connection helps both you and your child thrive.
Start small. One honest conversation can spark community. You’re not “bragging” when you share your story—you’re helping another parent feel seen.
Gifted parenting isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking brave questions together.
Belonging grows one brave connection at a time.
Your voice matters. Every story you share helps build bridges.
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