Knowing that your child is bright is something that should make you incredibly proud as a parent and yet I often felt utterly out of my depth.

Raising a family is a rollercoaster at the best of days but raising two gifted children felt like the next level.

Naturally, my husband and I were super proud that both of our children were able to read and write at the age of three and that they had this incredible curiosity. As this was ‘our normal’ we didn’t really think too much of it.

But to our surprise all this potential did not translate into success at school or the ability to make friends.

School was a mixed bag for our children, some teachers got them but others simply didn’t understand them at all, felt their inquisitive nature was disruptive or didn’t see anything unusual. Yet I saw it at home every day.

Socially the early years at school were incredibly hard as finding friends with similar interests proved impossible and my eldest child felt the lack of friendship deeply resulting in mental health struggles from the age of 7.

We had both our children assessed, both were confirmed as being gifted but that didn’t mean that there was any support from school.

Most of all, I really missed not having someone I could talk to. Someone who might have walked a similar path before, someone who might share tips and tricks and guidance along the way.

Living rurally in Aotearoa / New Zealand meant that support or interest groups were not available so I had to find a solution to get my kids through those difficult years while keeping their spark alive.

From starting a parent support group to establishing a successful one-day-school in Taranaki, I have learned so much over the past 15 years and was able to help hundreds of families and their exceptional children along the way.

I would love to make your journey a little easier and less lonely too. Please reach out, I would love to help.

Ngā mihi nui,