Wow, you really got a taste of it didn't you? Let me guess; all student's even out by third grade too. My husband has heard the same comments of everyone's kid is smart and good looking from peers at work. He has just learned not to share, so when we go into the office and the peers are asking our DD simple questions they are always shocked she answers them correctly. Just makes me laugh because they have no idea. But I think more than anything it is the competition game. Your cousin doesn't want to admit that another child could be smarter than hers which means they are the ones with the problem of not wanting to believe any child is smarter or better looking than theirs. I personally would love to meet a child smarter than mine. It would be refreshing.
But on the other info about public vs. private... I hope you aren't thinking that just because it is private your problems will be over. Just like public school there are many levels of private. But I will have my fingers crossed that sending him to private will mean they teach him what he needs and not limit him. Here is to hoping.
