What are your thoughts on this?

Tobit

I see nothing wrong with this.

Many people avoid those more intelligent than they. If you don't believe this is true, ask yourself how many of the really smart kids were also the popular ones in school.

So if you [the general you] are a person who avoids those smarter than yourself, you probably aren't the best choice to care for a very smart kid. That's fine and honest.

LaurieDB

Children with higher than average intelligence tend to be much more curious and willing to take risks to see what the results will be. I know a guy who's 3 year old demonstrated this quite well when standing on the stairs in the house. The child yelled, "Hey, Dad, let me show you how gravity works!" Before his father could stop him, the child had jumped and was crying at the bottom of the stairs. But he had a great grasp of the concept of gravity! This child has managed to get into all sorts of difficult positions due to his curiosity.

Some higher intelligence students become very bored with school, so don't bother with their schoolwork or even become disruptive in class.

These are just generalities. There of children of similar types in all intellectual categories, while some higher intelligence children do not exhibit much of this. It's just more of a tendency in higher intelligence children.

These children also are more likely to involve themselves in interests outside of school that will require more work on the part of the parent.

As an adopted person, it does bother me that some of these questions are like checking out a Burger King menu -- you know, "have it your way."

Snickette

As a foster parent and adoptee myself, I'm offended both on behalf of the children, and myself and my husband at what that social worker said.

"People who only want to foster", ie, ourselves, would be very happy if the only problems our children arrived with were above average intelligence.

amyburt40

I agree with being aware of what you can handle but as an adoptee that does make me feel like property to be passed around.

Mommytofosterchildren

We are foster parents and open to adopting and I don't understand it either. I would love to adopt a former foster child who was very bright and needed extension work. What a great opportunity to help them make a good education and life for themselves. It seems horrible to tick things off on a checklist like that, the only things we talked about were special needs and disabilities, to make sure we would be capable to meet a child's needs.

sally c

i find that shocking, isnt that what everyone wants a clever child,? i know thats my hopes for my son so he can have a career etc, i am shocked at that, i personally would gladly adopt/foster a clever child, just the same as i would a disabled child,they are all children needing love at the end of the day

Andraya

Since I was considered gifted in school I guess I can answer this. Children with above average intelligence can require more care. It was very hard for my parents and teachers to keep me interested in my work, I was well ahead of my classmates and breezed through pretty much everything. I was put in accelerated learning programs and even took a university math course the summer between grades 6 and 7. I am sure it took some extra work for my parents, shuttling me to advanced classes out of the school and various youth conferences.

bessiedarlin

I think that is very odd.
A child is a child regardless and needs attention and brain stimulation always!
(sadly) maybe it's bc not all foster parents are caring and think that a child with high intelligence may realize that they are not getting the attention and care that they deserve! :(

Oh me oh my...â™¥

I think that we are forgetting that these forms are used to help parents be matched to kids that they are able to care for. This is many ways is to protect a child form a move that doesn't work. Many of the questions are asked to prevent a mismatch or to prevent a family for taking a child that they are not able to care for. I actually think it is a good idea. I am not saying I agree with all the questions some of them are very odd but I do think it is very helpful in cutting down on the number of moves and rejections a child has to endure.

Noah's Mommy & Marine Wife.

Odd. I would think a child that isn't as intellectually inclined would require more attention. They would need more help with school work, help with focusing, etc. I guess that's just my thought though...

Gershom

it hurts me, i feel like a commodity, a check form. I have heard the story often of how "special" and "happy" my aparents were that they checked the "biracial" box or else they wouldn't have gotten me....

i'm not a freakin form, i'm a human being.

lady

Fostering is different from adoption or having your own baby. I think that even though at first I was offended by it , after some thought on the matter, I can see why they would want to cover all the bases.

Children with high IQ's can often have problems with delinquency. They act up in school because they get bored. I have a child that was acting horribly this year and that's when I found out what the problem was. They think differently. Alot of times, people think they're dumb, but they are hearing and seeing things on a different level.

I think that anything that ensures a good match is a plus. We pick out our mates because we are drawn to them for the (usually unknowingly) for the ways they are like / different from us. Some qualities we want them to be like us, but others we hope they aren't. Then when we have children, we have an idea, or think we do, of what we might be getting. It's how all the species have survived from the beginning of time.

I think this is why adoption reform is necessary. Better screening of the PAP'S. We don't really know enough about them. I think it would be best if a child that comes from a creative family be placed in an environment that would nuture that. Can you imagine having creative / artistic tendencies, only to have them squashed by parents who want and expect you to be a mathmetician, doctor, or lawyer? Nothing is perfect, there are no guarantees, but anything that would possibly make it better is ok with me.

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