AAGT Parent Institute – A Mom’s Quest for her Village & Connection

By: Stephanie Newitt

Years ago I was struggling to understand my 10 year old highly gifted, underachieving son.  There were moments when I was in awe of how his brain worked.  There were moments when I wanted to bang my own head against a brick wall because I struggled to understand what motivated him and what would help him grow socially.  The metaphorical bruise on my forehead was darkening into a deep purple.  My son was receiving daily pull-out services for his academic strength of math and his teacher pulled me aside and gave me a flier for the AAGT Parent Institute.  She encouraged me to go, saying I would likely find other parents there with whom I could connect and maybe find some resources.  In desperation and a glimmer of hope, I registered.

On the day of the event, I navigated my way onto the ASU campus.  The late Dr. Jim Webb was the keynote speaker and as he spoke, my parched soul drank deeply.  As I attended the classes throughout the day, I connected with other parents who not only understood my journey, but who were a little farther down the parenting path.  I was awakened to resources of support for my older gifted children as well.  This was not a place where parents bragged about their children, it was a place where parents sought and received tips and resources about how to support their kids in their areas of struggle.  I didn’t know what I didn’t know.  I realized that it wasn’t just my son who needed a “tribe” of peers to belong to.  I needed one too.

Parenting gifted kids can feel like a lonely journey and attending the AAGT Parent Institute fostered the connection I had been needing.  Beyond connection, I also felt empowerment and this has made all the difference to me and my family.  In the years that have passed, I have attended Parent Institute nearly every year.  Now, I’m the one who is farther down the path and I look forward to connecting with other parents, wherever they may be in their journey.  I hope to see you there.