We had a lot of challenging moments this summer with Ethan.  Talking to a good friend who has a child with a high IQ has been very helpful.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot and have come to some conclusions.  I have realized that there is a delicate balance that we need to find between too much stimulation and not enough stimulation.  Too much on either end results in meltdown.  A gifted person has so much going on in their brain already that when they reach overload, it’s too much to process.  On the other hand, when they get bored, they need to stimulate their brain.  We’ve walked this tightrope with Ethan.  I can’t seem to keep up with the amount of stimulation his brain needs to keep him from getting bored.  When he gets bored he does things that drive me and Ian crazy.  When he’s had too much: an extra playdate, a birthday party, a long day, it’s too much for him and he can’t handle it.  I’ve learned that when he has a busy day full of activity that for the next couple of days, we have to lay low. 

So, this does make me wonder how it will be for him to go to school.  It’s a long day full of stimulation and I anticpate a lot of problems when he gets home each afternoon.  He’s very athletic and we would love to start him up with soccer again in the fall but I think it will be too much to add on to school.  So, these are my challenges.  I’ve scheduled an appointment with the psychologist for George and I to meet with and get some advice.  Hoping he has some good ideas:)