Dear Grandparenting: I am an old lady with a wish. I would like to see what my grandchildren (ages 6, 7 and 12) can make of themselves if there are no limits to their educational and professional training and guidance, both when they are growing up and pursuing their chosen profession. Whatever they want, within reason.

I have more money than time. Life has its ups and downs. I would like to go out on a high note thinking of all the places my “genius” grandchildren will go and the things they will do. Some might call it a gamble. I call it an investment in my grandchildren’s future. If we’re all still around in 10 years, I will give you an update. Bunny, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dear Bunny: We’ve all heard boastful grandparents who take it to the limit or beyond while bragging about their grandchildren. But you seem to be taking this little game of one-upmanship to parts unknown, bragging about your “genius” grandchildren before they’ve even really gotten started.

Every grandchild is a gift, but a prodigy or true genius is a special bestowal because they’re so very rare. Such exceptionally gifted grandchildren cannot be bought, no matter what you may spend. They are born, not made. There is no 10-step plan here, nor much to suggest you’ll get the eventual payoff you seek. Great acclaim or success at an early age has been shown to be a poor predictor of success in adulthood.

But there are plenty more out there who think like you. An informal farm system exists in America that finds and develops the highly talented, whether it’s a musical or math wonder child or the really high IQ whiz kids — the “profoundly” gifted and intelligent, as the Davidson Institute for Talent Development calls its youthful charges. Grandchildren like these run a gauntlet of skill development activities, tutors, highly selective summer programs, competitions like science olympiads and skill tests.

That may be fine for grandchildren willing to pay the price, but too many are pushed to the breaking point by family, or tasked with fulfilling unrealistic expectations. If you really want to build a grandchild equipped to succeed, say those who study such things, then get in line where they’re selling qualities like persistence and confidence. That’s the ticket to ride to the top.

GRAND REMARK OF THE WEEK

“Easy Irv” from Fishkill, New York, has a “high tolerance for messiness and general craziness when the grandchildren visit. They’re making my memories.”