Parenting Book Reveals Importance of Full Spectrum of Human Intelligence

by Karen Lawrence

I highly recommend Raising Intuitive Children as a must read for anyone who not only wants to understand intuition in themselves and their children, but who believes that nourishing the wholeness of who we are nourishes the whole world.

Thank goodness there is finally a comprehensive guidebook for recognizing and cultivating the special gifts of intuitive children that also understands the enormous social and cultural significance of parenting the whole child! In Raising Intuitive Children: Guide Your Children to Know and Trust Their Gifts, psychotherapist Caron Goode and parenting expert/coach Tara Paterson have pooled their impressive professional and personal experience to provide parents with practical and meaningful tools for raising children with intuitive intelligence. In a world that has long viewed heightened sensitivity, psychic perception, and spiritual awareness as either odd, a curse, or worse yet, a mental aberration, Goode and Paterson tap into a growing movement to understand and accept intuition as a natural and empowering part of the spectrum of human intelligence.

Having been through the difficulties of being raised by a reluctant intuitive, coming to my own intuition later in life, and pondering the best way to raise my own insightful child, I was thrilled to discover that Raising Intuitive Children helped me make sense of my own experiences. The book opened the door to my understanding that the fullness of human potential can be realized in meaningful parent-child interactions, and that these interactions contribute to a more aware collective consciousness. I urge all parents to read Raising Intuitive Children. It will become a well-worn reference as the kids grow!

~Karen Lawrence is a freelance administrative consultant and writer based in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

Are You Raising the Next Bill Gates, a Creative Intuitive?

What is the  secret to raising a child like Bill Gates? 

According to the book, Raising Intuitive Children, by Caron Goode and Tara Paterson, Bill Gates is one of six types of intuitive intelligences. On the chart, find the Creative Intuitive. In the book we discuss the intuitive learner likes Gates as being entrepreneurial when young. Even as a child, the ideas are flowing through...try this, experiement with that, write, create...test and try.... A creative child can no more turn off the faucet of inspiration or music playing in his head than Einstein could turn off the abstract universe.  They don't hang out mentally on our radio station. If we want their attention and conversation, we have to dial their radio station. 

If creative intuitive kids have their head in the clouds, they see potential and possibility.

The rest of us may just see clouds or fog. 

William R Gates, father of Bill, wrote, "Perhaps there's a lesson in this for the parents of other curious children who, from the start, require the freedom to meet life on their own terms: It is that there is no statute of limitations on the dreams you have for your children." 

Actually, there is no statute of limitations on their dreams either. Read an adaptation of the story of raising Bill Gates in a book by his father. http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/15/technology/gates_secrets.fortune/index.htm

The Changing Face of Homeschooling

USA Today newspaper published an update yesterday (http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-05-28-homeschooling_N.htm) on the current profile of families who choose to home-school their children.

•3.9% of white families home-school, up from 2% in 1999.

•6.8% of college-educated parents home-school, up from 4.9% in 1999.

 Reasons for homeschooling used to be to provide better character and moral development or better academic preparation and performance. However, now families also believe that their children thrive better socially by mixing with children of all ages and participating in social events through the home-schooling networks.

 The increase of bullying in schools as well as more aggressive behavior from peer groups may influence why parents are home-schooling more girls. The current ratio of girls to boys in homeschooling is 58% to 42%. 

 Just this week, Tara Paterson, my coauthor for Raising Intuitive Children has chosen the homeschooling option for her empathic and psychic child, who feels deeply the emotions around him. By the time he gets home from a 7 or 8 hour school day, the swirling feelings inside of him spin too fast for words and a meltdown can happen. Tara observes that he can be “in a flurry.” These flurries day after day wear down her son and slowly grind down any enthusiasm for learning, paying attention, being with friends or achieving.

 I admire parents with the intuition to know whether or not an academic setting like a school classroom is appropriate for their child.  I admire their courage to champion their child’s physical and emotional well being. Sensitive children seem to easily go on overwhelm, and without changing the classroom environment for interactive sharing and creative discovery, parents need to find options.

 For children with one of the six types of intuitive intelligence, a home schooling option can serve them well by providing a safety net to let their curiosity lead the way and fuel their expressive gifts.  

Live Intuitive Training

Dr. Goode and I are in Fort Worth, TX conducting a live intuitive training for coaches who want to work with parents who are intuitive or have children who are intuitive. Stay tuned for updates and information about future trainings and tele-seminars.

Food for thought
Which of these intuitive styles does your child exhibit qualities of having:

Physical Intuition

Creative Intuition

Emotional Intuition

Psychic Intuition

Spiritual Intuition

Endorsement for book, Raising Intuitive Children

In Raising Intuitive Children, Dr. Caron Goode and Tara Paterson bring forth valuable insights on how intuition plays a key role in our families. Through their own personal stories, client reports and clinical research, this book provides an essential foundation and practical guidelines for nurturing our children's intuitive nature. This work is a powerful and engaging contribution to the field of intuitive study and a must have for parents!   
 
Deb Snyder, PhD
www.heartglowparenting.com

Another Successful Story--Intuitive, Creative Photographer

Only one in a million birds might find ribbon streams and create a boutique nest for its young. Likewise, only one eye in a million, like the one of amateur wildlife photographer, Susan Woodock, might spot and photograph this rare image while tramping through the Colorado countryside. 

Susan's story shows what incredible strength and perseverance is required by a creative intuitive to survive family and peers and to follow her passion. When a child, Susan's sister called her, "Stupid Suzy," because she did not talk much. Susan believed she could communicate without speaking and was surprised when the other children laughed at her and didn't understand. She believed that the trees and rocks and animals understood her, and she them. Nature was her true home and family where she always felt welcomed and accepted. Today, educators call this "nature intelligence." As a child people confused her solitude with antisocial behavior instead of seeing it as a gift and a way to 'be in the world' on her terms. They dubbed her "antisocial" when she preferred long walks in the woods with her cat. In school, she excelled in sports and thrived on the energy of being in the zone, just like when she was in nature.  

As an adult, Susan has lived a solitary life with a few solid, good friends because she has a spiritual connection to earth and to animals that I've not observed before. Her idea of fun is camping in Yellowstone near the buffalo and moose herds, waiting for the right moment to capture nature on film. A perfect day is one where a fox will stop and sit with her and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Or napping with a Moose in the Rocky Mountains, exchanging heart energy. In those moments, life is perfect. Nothing is needed. Communion with nature makes life complete and full.

In Susan's words, " I just go out everyday looking for something out of the ordinary during an routine day. I am never let down by nature and it's ability to teach me and surprise me. "Holy moments" are everywhere, and all we have to do is slow down, look, listen and expect them. They usually are not earth shattering; they come in split seconds. But those split seconds can be profound and life affirming and life altering in their power.

"You have to be aware they are out there or you will miss them. Like this nest that was in a grove of apple trees tucked out of the way. I almost walked by it. You emailed me the day before about the concert violinist who performed in a subway and was unnoticed by almost everyone, except a few. People were in such a hurry and in their routine, they never heard the beauty of his music and missed out on an incredible 'moment'. The next day as I was taking a walk, I kept that email in my head. I walked slower and breathed, and asked to be shown something new. I looked to my right and there it was, the nest of ribbons. Life is good!

Follow your passion, creativity and intuition. It feels fantastic.

One Family Chooses In Support of Their Creative Intuitive

We hope you enjoy the following news item, originally published here on PositivePsychologyNews.com on 5-9-09. As you know, Tara and I have written much about the creative, intuitive child who doesn't always fit in the left-brain educational system in our new book, Raising Intuitive Children.  Intuitive learners long to experience life in independent ways, and the pressure on families to support their children's choices are not always easy. So when a wonderful example comes along of those who champion their child, we want to share it with you. 

Guitar Hero or High School? One Family’s Choice

By Christine Duvivier - May 9, 2009

Blake Peebles is a high school sophomore who wakes up at noon, does a few hours of school work, and then practices Guitar Hero for 10 hours.  Are his parents crazy? 

Maybe they are, but consider this: since replacing eight hours of high school each day with three hours of home-school and tutors, Blake now tests at a 12^th-grade level, he socializes more often and has more friends, according to an article in the May issue of American Way Magazine.   He is also absorbed in mastering computer gaming, one of the fastest growing fields in our economy.

It was not an easy decision for his parents to let Blake leave high school and it continues to be a hard choice.  They are attacked by critics —most of whom they’ve never met.  If the Peebles had taken the expected path and insisted that their son stay in school, no one would be giving them flack – even if their son was bored, depressed or learning less.  Many would tell them they were doing the right thing. 

Yet, today Blake is absorbed for most of his waking hours in something that creates flow for him – a path to well-being that the majority of high school students do not achieve in class, according to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. 

Not only that, but Blake has rid himself of the stress he felt in a public high school that was not designed to bring out the best in him. He is learning, he is engaged in flow, and he is happy. I admire the Peebles’ courageous decision.  They listened to their child’s needs and they were willing to take a risk in the hope of improving his well-being.  Their choice is not one that many would make, but it has proven to be a good one for Blake.  Christine Duvivier, MAPP, has led positive change as a Fortune 50 executive, as a consultant, and as a guide to parents and educators. Her research shows that all students will benefit from changing our approach to education and that poor-performing students thrive in life when they are allowed to develop their gifts. www.positiveleaders.com Email

Grace, Grit and Gratitude

Don't forget to join Caron and I tomorrow, May 8th for a live interview with JaiKaur on her show- Grace, Grit and Gratitude. JaiKaur has opened up heart space for a special Mother's Day edition to interview us about our book- Raising Intuitive Children.

Show: Women's Grace, Grit and Gratitude
Type: Education - Study Group
Network: Global
Date: Friday, May 8, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jaikaur
Phone: 508.376.2146
Email: jaikaur@jaikaur.com

ADD, Daydreamers or Creative Thinkers

An intuitive child  who is quiet tends to observe people, watching actions and reactions, sometimes reading energy of feelings and emotions. If your child’s tendency is to the quiet end, then the daydreamer with creative, artistic talent may be churning through ideas or music in their thoughts. The focus could be on their inner world. This is the loner or a child who tolerates small groups and may enjoy the family pet or nature walks better than other playmates. They have an artistic flare and don't always like being interrupted "to go outside and play."

The creative child can be a daydreamer rather than easily distracted and labeled ADD. Recently, an eight-year old named Linda told me that her teacher made her stand in a corner of the classroom after an art lesson in which she was to draw Abraham Lincoln. She drew the President as an older man with white hair and beard, and this creativity was unacceptable. Her picture didn't look like Abraham Lincoln, and she was punished for her creativity. Another budding artist nipped in the bud! 

Is it any wonder a creative child would rather stare out the window or daydream? If you have a creative, intuitive, or artistic child, give them some time for creativity, daydreaming, and exploring the inner universe of their imagination. Does your creative like to write, draw, sketch, paint, act, or photograph or creates scenes from life? 

The creative intuitive can have an artistic temperament that bursts to express. Daydreaming and exploration of artistic mediums are a priority for these kids, more so than the development of social skills or in some cases, academic grades. Classrooms of rote learning are boring for the creative child, and they tend to thrive in areas where they can express and receive feedback, and then create and express that creation again. 

Women's Grace, Grit and Gratitude with JaiKaur

Join Caron and I tomorrow, May 8th for a live interview with JaiKaur on her show- Grace, Grit and Gratitude. JaiKaur has opened up heart space for a special Mother's Day edition to interview us about our book- Raising Intuitive Children.

Show: Women's Grace, Grit and Gratitude
Type: Education - Study Group
Network: Global
Date: Friday, May 8, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jaikaur
Phone: 508.376.2146
Email: jaikaur@jaikaur.com

JaiKaur supports women in renovating themselves, their lives, and their community as women-full of divine grace, using the grit of their life as an opportunity to embody their spirit and soul, and in gratitude with the wonder and magnificence of life as woman. Join us as we embrace our humanity as our divinity, support each other in taking inspired action in the world, and embrace the joy that is being a woman.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to JaiKaur for having us on her show!