The Gifted Child in Family Turmoil

Parental stress is contagious. Children mirror the emotional ups and downs of their parents. They react in many ways to parental fighting, divorce, death or serious illness. It hurts to see children upset. Parents and other relatives want to help distraught children, as do teachers, neighbors and friends.

Gifted children seem to be particularly vulnerable to family turmoil. They are acutely aware of what is happening to others and may be unaware of their own feelings. Their reactions to fami...