Introduction

Dear Parents of Gifted Children,

I am moved, on a daily basis, by the tireless love and effort that I see in you. The funny thing is...most of you have no idea how exceptional you are. You question and doubt yourselves, but you are some of the most dedicated parents I know.

It is not easy raising a gifted child today. The dawning of technology has initiated one of the greatest societal changes in history. Suddenly, we find ourselves holding humanity in the palm of our hands. We are parenting our highly sensitive, intense, anxious children in a world for which there is no manual.

In my therapeutic work, I have observed a high level of anxiety that seems to permeate the entire family system. Parents are so worried about the future of their children and are desperately seeking guidance to alleviate these fears.

After seeing this elevated anxiety repeatedly in my practice, talking with other professionals and participating in online forums, I knew that parents of gifted children were in need of a map to navigate this complex jungle. In efforts to provide parents with a comprehensive guide, I decided to reach out to leading experts in the field of giftedness.

I contacted 27 experts and asked them one simple question:

“WHAT ONE THING CAN PARENTS DO NOW TO HELP THEIR GIFTED CHILD TO THRIVE IN THE FUTURE?

Of course, there is no “one thing,” but this question resulted in a rich compilation of timeless advice.

This group of therapists, educators, authors and advocates, ventured beyond their professional experiences to offer insights from their own personal journeys. Each response is heartfelt and poignant.

The majority of responses are transcribed interviews and, therefore, have a conversational tone. The interviews range in length with each containing invaluable wisdom that hold the power to positively impact the way we parent.

It is my hope that the ripple effects of this collaboration of love and support will enable our children not just to survive, but thrive beyond measure.

May the world flourish in their hands.