I know most bloggers don’t discuss conferences for gifted children and adults in the same post that they update on their shampoo free experiment. But I tend to be different.
Or something…
Maybe I’ve just come to the realization that they are somehow related… I dunno.
Regardless, I’m going to try to do several updates in one post.
Wish me luck.
SENG 2012 Update:
Last week we had the honor, privilege, and many other awesome words, of attending and filming the SENG Conference (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) in Milwaukee, WI. I really had every intention of blogging throughout. Instead, I mainly tweeted. You can find the entire thread under the hashtag #SENG12.
‘Amazing experience’ is an understatement. For both me, someone who always felt misunderstood, stupid or ‘dumber’ than others (and believed it when others told me so, or implied it), and has only recently learned that she is gifted, and my children, who realize that they are on an oddly fantastic journey at a much younger age than I was when I made the realization, it was beautiful.
A homecoming, of sorts.
We met people who walked so many different paths, but somehow held the common thread, connecting us all.
Over the next several weeks, as I process more of what I’ve absorbed, I will be blogging thoughts on it. Topics such as coming to terms with giftedness as an adult, the importance of family support in addressing the challenges of the culturally diverse gifted, and empathic listening. I try not to quickly regurgitate, so bear with me.
The trip was wonderful, from the traveling, to the conference itself. The oldest two came with us, while the younger two went RV’ing and stone skipping with my mom and dad at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park.
Thanks, mom and dad!
Abbie and Quinn attended their own program, while we attended sessions, and Randy had his own private conference, filming and interviewing ground-breakers such as Michael M. Piechowski (who worked directly with Kazimierz Dąbrowski), Jim Webb (co-founder of SENG) and Joy Lawson Davis (author of Bright, Talented and Black) and so many others.
I can’t wait to share more of what we learned. We came back home excited, recharged and hopeful.
I know the knee-jerk reaction may be to roll eyes and poke fun. It may sound like the dumbest, most frivolous, unnecessary conference to attend.
Don’t believe it.
If you, and/or your child are gifted, or if you are a mental health professional, principal, superintendent, or gifted educator, I implore you: plan to attend next year. It is, absolutely, a worthwhile investment.
Shampoo-Free Update:
On the shampoo-free front, last week was a bit miserable. It started out well, but quickly went downhill. I don’t know if it was the traveling and the change in diet, water hardness or what. But by Sunday (7/15), my scalp was angry and screaming for mercy. In case you are new to my updates, one of the reasons I am trying shampoo-free is because I have scalp issues.
Monday (7/16), I actually gave in and used a dab of Head and Shoulders around my hairline, which seems to be affected the most. By that point, my scalp hurt, was tender, and was ridiculously angry.
Tuesday, after reading up more, and having resisted this method in the past, because it seemed like it would be too harsh, I made a paste with the baking soda (rather than diluting in a water bottle), and applied it directly to my scalp, massaged it for approximately 2 minutes and then rinsed. My scalp felt relief immediately.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was nice. No angry scalp. No soreness or tenderness.
At this point, I plan to continue with the baking soda paste (rather than the diluted mixture). I think this allows me to concentrate more on the problem area (my scalp) and keep the baking soda away from my hair, especially the ends, which are already so dry and damaged from my hair coloring obsession. I’m also thinking I may need to wash it daily for awhile, using this method. Longer than two days, and my scalp goes nuts.
I’m continuing the apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse as normal : 50/50 diluted, with 2 tbsp honey, all over.
So tell me:
What have you been up to lately? Is anyone else giving shampoo-free a whirl? If you have, has it been a struggle? Or what have you done that has been successful?
Have you been to any good conferences lately? What did you learn and takeaway from it?
