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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Paige Freshwater

'My daughter wants to exclude school bully from her party - but I want to invite him'

When it comes to parenting decisions, there's often no right or wrong answer.

And one mum has divided opinions after revealing how her four-year-old daughter wants to exclude the school bully from her birthday party.

Wanting to teach her a lesson in "kindness", the mum can't decide whether to overrule her daughter's wishes and invite the boy along anyway. Taking to Reddit, she said: "It's her birthday in the holidays and she wants to have a party and invite everyone. This is big for her because she's always been a super shy and anxious child.

"We talked about how we should include everyone so no one gets upset and she thought that was a great idea. Except this one kid who apparently bullies her."

She went on to explain how the boy called her mean names throughout the school year - and seems to enjoy making fun of everyone in their class.

She wants her daughter to have fun - but feels bad for the other child (stock photo) (Getty Images/EyeEm)

"I don't want to force my child to invite someone who she doesn't like and who is mean but at the same time it feels cruel to invite the whole class except one kid," the mum added.

"We did speak about how sometimes someone hasn't learnt to be nice yet and that although we do not have to put up with mean behaviour, it is good to show kindness to someone who is mean.

"She did agree to invite him but she then says she doesn't want him there and I don't want to push it on her and teach her that it's OK to let someone bully us."

Despite her partner also wanting to exclude the boy, the mum has taken to Reddit to ask users what they'd do in this situation.

In response, one user said: "Absolutely do not force her to invite someone that treats her poorly. This could set up a terrible expectation of obligations to those that treat us unkind.

"Of course, the best way to handle it, is teaching your daughter how to handle it when/if it is brought up with the child.

"I would definitely contact the parents at some point and let them know about their child's behaviour and leave it to them to correct it."

Another user added: "If she doesn't want him don't force her to. It could be a good lesson for him too. Actions have repercussion."

A third user said: "I’d probably tell my daughter she can't invite everyone and she needs to pick X amount of people to keep it special. That way not one, sole person is being left out.

"It doesn't seem right to leave him out, but it also doesn't seem right to include him. Ugh. Not looking forward to dealing with these situations with my own small kids. Good luck!"

Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.

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