Smart, but Socially Awkward

DH handled camp pick-up today. While waiting around for the boys he got into a conversation with a mother about her "very bright," but socially awkward, 7 or 8 year-old son. "He's and advanced reader and does fourth-grade math; he just lacks social skills."

I wasn't there to assess her tone. To some it might have sounded like boasting. We should all have such "problem" children, right?

But I get it. A few times this summer Smartypants has morphed from a silly eight year-old to a mentally deficient four year-old in some very public places. I bite my tongue to keep from telling everyone we encounter about his academic accomplishments, his obsessive reading habits. No, really, he's incredibly smart.

Smartypants was wrestling with a friend recently. They were both being extremely goofy and another boy looked at them and pronounced with some disgust, "You guys are weird." As my heart shattered, I tried to think of an appropriate intervention, but the wrestling partner spoke first, "Yeah, we are!" He gave a hearty laugh and within seconds the three of them were in hysterics. The tension had diffused.

Let people think my son is retarded or immature. Let them think I'm a boastful mom with an exaggerated view of her son. Let them think what they want. It's tough to parent a time traveling child.

Speaking of which, check out the current post at the Gifted Exchange Blog to read more about parenting gifted children.

Also, an interesting (if a bit long) perspective on Nerds and Popularity.

gifted