Firstly, they are often incorrectly diagnosed ADD or ADHD by teachers. Unless you have a very competent pediatrician, you're bored but gifted child could be so diagnosed. Before drugging your child, consider at least one, and possibly the best, alternate view, Talking Back to Ritalin: What Doctors Aren't Telling You About Stimulants for Children, by Peter Breggin, M.D.

Secondly, once you begin homeschooling, there are dozens of ways your child can expand his or her abilities even if you, yourself, don't have that special knowledge. Don't be afraid to let your child call people or organizations involved in the "real thing" to find out information. Most people very much enjoy such a call
from an interested child. It gives them a chance to explain their own work, something which is very important to them. Check with local homeschooling groups and also search on the web for people or events who can help with your child's education in the direction of their gifts. This doesn't need to cost a lot. Lack of tutoring doesn't mean something else can't be a substitute: a children's interest group, homeschool co-op tutoring, accessible books on the subjects (even at a college library if they are too expensive to purchase), etc. And if they have a different talent or interest from yourself, give them a little room to grow in that direction. You may be surprised. Always be flexible enough to follow their interest for awhile. The learning of subjects doesn't have to start and stop on the hour. --Chuck S.

Here's a response to this question when it came up on our #19 message board:

My dear daughter is a six-year-old only child. I did not have the same concerns as you, for I could see when my child was still preschool age that she had very good social skills when around other children. I did not expect these to disappear merely because I didn't choose to send her away from home for her education. Actually, I don't think that a formal school setting is conducive to learning these skills. There are balls and jump ropes for recess, but sharing is not taught - instead it is whoever can get to them first gets to use them for that recess period. LOL, it is more like speed is taught. The same with art supplies - those kids who come home with paintings all done in black and browns did not do this because they have dark feelings to express on their paper, but rather because they didn't feel like fighting for the brighter colors. Try to persuade your spouse to sit through a school day and observe in the class where your son would be placed. You will find that it is the Law of the Jungle that is emphasized and not that of courtesy and charity. Now some say that the kids need to learn the Law of the Jungle (survival to the fittest, or the fastest, or the smartest) in order to survive in the corporate jungle where many will reside in adulthood; but I personally believe that Christians should teach a biblical worldview toward behavior and problem solving techniques which will stand by them wherever they are. I prefer to think of socialization as character development, and I cannot begin to think about teaching character without beginning with the Bible, the only guide your son should ever need to teach him about how to act and behave around others. Your son can also learn Christian courtesy and charity by being around other Christians of all ages in his formative years. Yes, provide him with ample opportunities of being one of a group, but I believe it is better in our dangerous culture, to be selective about the groups. Sunday school, church youth programs such as AWANAs and Young Pioneers, homeschool or Christian boy scout troops, 4-H Clubs, team sports, etc.

Remember that public schooling is an invention of this century. Most people received an education at home or with a tutor in the past. If the government schools are supposed to provide socialization that cannot be learned outside of a school setting, then you would expect the children of our times to be more courteous, more sharing, more sociable and pleasant than the children of the last century. Think about it. --Laura in TX

Another response from our General Homeschool Message board #19:

     Socialization, is that the whole purpose of schools??? Why is it that people so often ask that question -- they never ask, "But will he get an education as good as the public school?" Since when did socialization become the main goal???
    I, too, have an only son (age 8 1/2) who has been an only child since just under one!!! Although his dad lives just an hour away, he does not visit often. His dad had some of the same objections to homeschooling (there I must disagree with you, though, as they are not valid objections). I showed him that his son would not be deprived the opportunity to interact with other kids, but that it would be in an environment that encouraged decent social interaction. Who makes a better teacher of manners: other kids his own age, or adults to be role models? By homeschooling, we have MORE time to interact with other kids! If he were in school, he'd get home in the afternoon, do his homework, feed the animals, eat dinner, watch a bit of TV, then sleep. By homeschooling, he has the time and energy to enjoy lots of activities with other kids. So far, he has (not all at the same time): taken lessons in horseback riding, gymnastics and ice skating; been in Cub Scouts for two years (and earned the most awards of anyone in his den); participated in sports every season -- soccer, baseball, basketball; and of course practiced his "school" skills by attending Sunday School and VBS. We also belong to a group of homeschoolers who meet twice a month to play together. And, he is out in the "real world" with me all day, so he learns to deal with all situations and all ages of people, not just those in a classroom. In addition, he has his own business, selling Usborne Books. And, we have the time to have friends over often, especially to spend the night (since we don't have to get up early Monday morning to get to school). His social skills greatly exceed those of kids in public schools! Believe me, my son is ALL boy -- his behavior is not perfect, but he's learning! Best of all, he has time to read many "real" books, not just get a quick textbook education that skims over subjects but never really looks at them in depth.
     Last year, when his dad was visiting, we stopped in a store. The clerk commented on how nicely our son asked her a question -- my ex's response was, "We homeschool." (while I'm looking at him thinking "Who's this 'we'???") Then he went on to tell her that it's the BEST way to educate.
     So, sign up for lessons and a sport and a club like Scouts, and show your son's dad that he doesn't need to worry! Oh, and show him the excellent books you plan to use to educate your son (since, last time I checked, that's the real goal of education) -- even if he hasn't bothered to ask!
   PS...a note about Scouting:  Scouting is an awesome program (especially for us single moms who might not otherwise do all the camping and outdoorsy stuff with our sons) but please don't have him join just any old pack, be sure it's a Christian pack. Here, your son can find men of God to be role models as well as mentors. Also, they will be encouraged to interact in a Christian manner with the other boys. And, YOU yourself will make friends who will last a lifetime!  --Brenda