Child Genius (C4)

[TheFirstOfHerName]

Anyone planning to watch this?

I was a little like these children; joined Mensa as a child, but used my ability to coast through school/university rather than to achieve anything noteworthy.

DS2 is also of this ilk. We are not doing any of the things these parents are doing, although when opportunities arise through school then obviously we let him participate.

I think they're bonkers but I don't think they're doing anything abusive.

They are very emotionally abusive Antoinette, especially the parents of Aliyah and Tudor

It is very damaging for them in the long run, they are putting an enormous amount of pressure on their children. Making them believe that tgey are not good enough, and have to earn their parents love. Tudor dad should have embraced his son and told him how much he lived him after the competition, instead he had a face like thunder and told his son he was disappointed in him

Loved the parents of the little girl who was home 'play' schooled- they were normal, kid was lovely and will do well. The others... Bonkers... Utterly!! Horrible pretentious kids and parents that I'd happily throttle

I thought Tudor's dad was a real bully. I didn't see Aaliyah's parents telling her she had to earn their love or anything though. It was obviously a pressurised situation (and IMO awful parenting!) but I don't think they seemed abusive. Or at least, I'm not a professional so I wouldn't like to make that judgement.

Thank you Unquietmind I have looked at Dr Shoshana Garfield PhD (sic) and her qualifications are interesting. She lists Association for Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques and lists herself as Level 3 Trainer and Level 3 Practitioner. Presumably that is their own Level 3 and not Level 3 as in equivalent to A level. She is a Member of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology and lists herself as a Neuro Linguistic Programmer, which Wikipedia lists as a largely discredited pseudoscience. She does have a PhD in Psychology from South Bank University.
I think you have made a valid point.

Tudors dad was horrid, but Aaliyahs mum needed a smack with a big piece of ham, and get into perspective!

DS wanted Tudor to come and live with us where we'll be nice to him and congratulate him on what he managed.

In fairness all the parents were ott. I do think that whilst joycelyn was a lovely little girl I do think her parents are doing her a huge disservice. In the long term at some point she needs some structure in her education otherwise I don't think she will ever be to focus on exams etc. I am also bothered by Aaliyah's mother her comment that she was more intelligent than her child was just the beginning of very painful viewing.

I got the impression Shoshanna would quite like to be the one answering the questions!

Really, Aeroflotgirl - you think a Jewish woman who has suffered abuse through childhood 'needed a smack with a big piece of ham' ??

Well you're just lovely, aren't you?

I know the school she is at. Suspect they chose it because it's small and happy to put her up 2 or 3 years as long as they pay the fees. It's a nice school to be fair as it does cater for kids with different needs unlike most pushy private schools. But is it ethical to put a child up 2 or 3 years? I don't think so. I found alya sweet but her parents were scary! So cold and intellectualised in their parenting!

Agree - I know the school and it's a nice inclusive school. But suspect they allow Shoshana to call the shots a bit too much - putting alyah up 2 yrs was not cool

I read an article that said Shoshana was pulling her out of the school now and home educating. I'm in Brighton but didn't recognise the school. I thought it was Brighton college but going by the descriptions here, I'm clearly wrong

Two or three years is a lot, and I think it would be worse as she got older - imagine being a twelve year old in a class of 15 year olds. I doubt many secondary schools would choose to take her that far ahead (one year is usually ok), so what does she do when the year six class she's working with leaves?

My prep school refused to move people up a year, you would be given extension work, or maybe taught a new concept on your own at the front whilst everybody else was doing an exercise. Occasionally you might be sent to another teacher for half an hour or so.

I think that was more sensible, they wanted people to be with their age group socially and emotionally. It worked well for me, although I know some parents didn't like it and would move school, just for their child to go up a year

Iscream I did not realise she was jewish pardon me for having my head in the clouds. It was meant in a jokey way! Alright then she needs a smack with a wet lettuce then!

Yes she does for putting her poor daughter through that. She needs a psychologist herself really as she does have ishoos.

Gish some people like to get offended over everything. My close friend is Jewish, thank goodness she has a wicked sense of humour and shock horror she eats and prepares pork!

(I too thought ham was a poor choice given the woman in question, just wasn't as brave as Iscream to say something).

Same

It was nit aimed to offend, it was plucked out of my head randomly at night! I dident even know the woman was Jewish fgs. Unless I missed a bit in the programme. Anyway I will say she needs a slap with a wet lettuce, there!

Finally watched this today.

I’m also celebrating breaking the chain of breaking the children. Being able to gift my daughter with truly unconditional love is one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given. (from one of the linked articles)

It just seems like she is 'breaking' Aliyah though, albeit in a different way. And it doesn't really seem like unconditional love either, it seems totally tangled up in achievement. But she clearly genuinely feels that what she's doing is right. It's her way of making up for her own terrible experience - it's her way of showing love. Just not one that most of us would recognise :(

ItsFab - I don't think that it is relevant that Jocelyn "asked" to go on the show - doesn't mean she gets to do it....this is so opposite to her parents beliefs I am staggered why they sanctioned it.....also there are more appropriate ways for your child to "learn hard life lessons" than in front of x million viewers.

Most parents were nuts, egotistical and abusive bullies...just disappointed that Jocelyn parents who seemed rational exposed their lovely child to this nonsense.

I am friends with one of the families/children featured tonight. They are completely unpushy & lovely (if a bit helicoptery) but the dd gets frustrated sometimes with the standard of education at school.

Her & my dd used to sit in the corner of the playground reading books at playtime.

I fear they won't come across like this though due to editing/whatever & there could be the odd tantrum.

Here we go...