No doubt about it, three year-old Brielle is one clever little bunny. She rocked it on "The Ellen Show" recently, not only rhyming off the element of the Periodic Table, but also informing host Ellen DeGeneres that she knows all the countries in Europe and Africa, as well as all the US presidents, by heart.
"You're making me feel bad about myself," Ellen joked with Brielle.
Though she's a cutie pie (Brielle, that is), I admit to some misgivings about the segment.
As someone with a gifted child, I strive to strike that difficult balance between motherly pride and showing off.
My son - who was able to read at age two - can perform similarly incredible feats (yes, even identifying elements in the Periodic Table), having a largely photographic memory.
Over the years, I have been careful not to fuss too much, lest he feels like a trick pony. The last thing I want to do is send the message that his value is somehow tied to his amazing intelligence.
Close friends and family have seen firsthand what he knows and what he could do from a tender age. Yet I am reluctant to splash videos of him all over YouTube - or indeed, call up Ellen so he can sit on her couch or get presents from her. (Admittedly, he wouldn't mind the latter!)
This whole display doesn't sit well with me, and I realize I am speaking from my own personal comfort level here and in no way judging other parents for their decisions.
I hope my son's abilities serve him well in life. And if he eventually decides to appear on a game show like Jeopardy or Smartest Person, then that's 100 per cent his call. I don't want to be the one to put him in the hot seat and make him feel like he ever has to 'perform.'
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