How To Handle Pushy Anti-Private Relative Who Left Private for Financial Reasons

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a close relative who left a 'Big 3' for financial reasons years ago. Her children are now in public school. When her kids were in private, mine were in public. However, during the pandemic, I pulled mine out of public and put them in private school (not a Big 3/5) and it's been like night and day, especially for one of my kids, who has really taken to the environment and blossomed. We are committed to putting both kids through private high school. However, EVERY time I see this relative (which is frequently) she points out how wonderful her public school is (it is not) and makes snide comments about how the public high school grads are going to the same colleges as the private school kids. Although I have many thoughts about her comments - I have spared her my honest response. I have tried to be so polite because I know where this is coming from but I would like to shut her down once and for all without sounding like I am being condescending or doing something that would impact our relationship. Any ideas?

The mother of a good friend of mine is a classic, old-school, southern lady. Her response would be,"how nice for you" delivered with a gentile smile. Perfect response.

What a great response! Those ladies new how to get their point across with a smile.

[Anonymous]

You could say something like, "Larla, I love that your kids are doing so well. Perhaps you don't realize it, but you make this same comment every time I see you. I really am happy for you. Is there something else going on?

If she's a normal human being, she'll be mortified and shocked that you called her out, and she won't bring it up again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a close relative who left a 'Big 3' for financial reasons years ago. Her children are now in public school. When her kids were in private, mine were in public. However, during the pandemic, I pulled mine out of public and put them in private school (not a Big 3/5) and it's been like night and day, especially for one of my kids, who has really taken to the environment and blossomed. We are committed to putting both kids through private high school. However, EVERY time I see this relative (which is frequently) she points out how wonderful her public school is (it is not) and makes snide comments about how the public high school grads are going to the same colleges as the private school kids. Although I have many thoughts about her comments - I have spared her my honest response. I have tried to be so polite because I know where this is coming from but I would like to shut her down once and for all without sounding like I am being condescending or doing something that would impact our relationship. Any ideas?

The mother of a good friend of mine is a classic, old-school, southern lady. Her response would be,"how nice for you" delivered with a gentile smile. Perfect response.

What a great response! Those ladies new how to get their point across with a smile.

Love that kill them with kindness approach.