There is a heart-wrenching meme going around about Thomas Edison and his mom. According to the meme, the boy was sent home with a letter addressed specifically to his mom. She read it and with deep emotion told the boy that the school says that he is too smart for them, that they are too small to serve him and suggests that she school him at home.
Time passes, mom dies, and a now accomplished Edison finds the letter in her desk. It actually said that he was "addled" and please do not send him to school anymore. Overcome by emotion that his mother saw potential in him that the school didn't, he weeps for her.
The problem is that it is not true. As sweet as this story is, the REAL story is better and is an encouragement to gifted kid moms and dads. Mrs, Edison was not an emotional weeping mom who lies to her child, albeit for good intentions, that the story portrays. Actually she is an iron fist in a velvet glove: the mom knew that the school, particularly one instructor, was being a jerk. She tried to work within the system, but when the school wouldn't budge, she took matters into her own hands, bucked the system, and educated him herself. Story Here
Isn't that a better example for gifted moms AND one that is more realistic to what moms of gifted kids go through? You plow and fight tooth and nail against establishments and arrogance and ignorance. Finally, you have had enough niceness and go up the chain to the district or switch schools, or homeschool because you are a determined, intelligent woman who is not going to let adult bullies push you and your child around. YOU, moms, take control of your child's education, rejecting the easy route, and are your child's guardian, protector, champion, and instructor.
Now, this is not to belittle those who love the fake version of the story--everyone loves a good tear jerker. I would just offer, respectfully, that a)truth is important at all costs and b)the truth here is a much better example of the common plight of the gifted child in educational settings that are inadequate.
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