where wildly different is perfectly normal
SENGular appreciation
SENGular appreciation

SENGular appreciation

I’m back home from this weekend’s SENG Conference and I’m still reeling. I can’t yet read my notes, mainly because MacDreamy2 apparently needs some sort of exorcism and won’t read my iPad notes (I will never attend a conference without an iPad ever again; I’d rather go commando). But also because I’m still digesting what I learned.

Nearly every session was thought-provoking, and this week I’ll be sharing tidbits in the hope that you will attend the 2013 conference in Orlando, Florida. I’ve already informed Tom that we will each sell a kidney to attend, because nothing says Family Vacation like a few days at a conference centered around the emotional needs of the gifted. Followed, perhaps, by a few days in the horizontal position on a Disney cruise ship. One can dream. One is also applying for various jobs, so one shall see.

It was so good to get away for a few days, and just wonderful to meet the friends who live in my computer. Mariam Willis, Mika Gustavson, Lisa Rivero, and Stacia Taylor are all women who fall into that category. They are also SENG rockstars, and their presentations were so good I wish I had audio recordings. I had a fantastic roommate, the delightful Kim who writes at Delicious Minutiae, and we managed to both hide our introversion long enough to get out and have a great time.

Folks, you have a year. Give up shampoo, say NO THANKS to central air, join us in the mass selling of kidneys. If you have a gifted or twice-exceptional child, you really need to attend a SENG conference. It’s for parents. Not teachers, not administrators, but parents. There are also programs for your kids, so you can haul them along and they can find they’re also not alone in their quirkiness.

I am so thankful an organization like SENG exists. In a time when giftedness is considered to be simply what one accomplishes, to have an organization focus on the whole person is a blessing. I suspect I’ll be more active in SENG in the future, but for now I’m just grateful it is there and that I can learn from those who went before me.

6 Comments

  1. Karen Cooley

    Worth coming from Australia for? Our family is struggling here. Our first school year for master 5 (moderately gifted) has seen me cry into my pillow sooooo much.

    1. Jen

      Wellll…if you made it an extended vacation, then yes, come on up. 😉 At the very least, check out their website; there are a TON of articles you may find helpful.
      Hang in there. I’ve had those marathon midnight sob sessions. They’re no fun. 🙁

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