A mum has caused a huge debate after asking for advice on her daughter's school bully inviting her to her birthday party.
The mum took to popular website Mumsnet to ask other parents for their views on the uncomfortable situation after her daughter was invited as one of the guests to an expensive trampoline park for the party in question.
She alleges that the girl had previously called her daughter fat and pushed her into a hot radiator, while she has contacted the school several times to try and stop the bullying.
The mum has thought about telling the girl's mum the real reason why her daughter did not want to attend but fears this could backlash on her daughter and in turn inflict more bullying. The children are in primary school.
She explained the situation on the website, writing: "I received a text message inviting (daughter) to her bully's birthday party. She's called my daughter fat, excluded her from games and pushed her into a hot radiator.
"I have had to contact the school on a few occasions about this girl's behaviour towards my daughter. My daughter couldn't even have a party last year as she didn't want the bully to come and her life at school would be miserable if she didn't invite her.
The mum continued: "They are late primary so the child will have specifically asked for my daughter to go and it's an expensive trampoline party.
"Part of me wants to tell the mum why my daughter won't be going but I think the mum would tell her so my daughter would be further picked on at school. What would you MNers (Mumsnet users) say?"
Several mums were inclined to not raise the bully issue with the girl's mother, with one suggesting that she speaks to her daughter about "what to do next".
The first person said: "Maybe talk it over with your daughter and see how she feels and decide what to do next together. Something where you and your daughter both are mature and calm and don't inflame anything."
Two more parents thought that it would be better to say that her daughter was too busy to attend the party.
One commented: "Tempting as it is to say something I wouldn't. It will just give the bully more ammunition to use against your daughter. Just reply that you are already busy that day."
Another replied: "Just say you're busy. We think we'd accept this kind of accusation calmly and listen to it, but in practice, a lot of parents will get angry and believe their own child Especially if they don't know you well."
