Bostonian, perhaps "mourn" is not the right word. I prefer something more along the lines of letting go of the idea of fitting in -- but, at least in our family, having a PG child means that we are different in some ways that are isolating at times. Accepting that is helpful.
Perhaps if we were in a hypercompetitive city where everyone was pushing their average students to be exceptional ones, it would be different? We are in an educated, but not academic area.
I agree that there are advantages to giftedness. I wouldn't change either child (although a little less stubbornness would be nice). I wouldn't say it has been cheaper for our family, because it has meant private schools (from 4-10k/year per kid), travel to gifted programs, testing (800).
