Your Kid Invites the Class Bully

Recently, a Mom related to me that her daughter had invited the class bully to her party. This “bully” apparently has pushed her daughter and made fun of her since the start of the school year. Now, why would she want to have her attend her next party? It would seem that the class bully is pretty popular, and she wants to be “liked.” An invitation to the party may be just the ticket in her daughter’s mind.

Yet, this parent is not interested in having this bully attend the party. She expressed concern that her daughter had already made a verbal invite and had to follow through with the actual invitation in a few weeks. In this situation, don’t worry about it. When your kid spreads the word before the actual invitations are sent out, it is not an official invitation. It is only when the actual invitations are sent out that the invitation list exists.

Definitely explain this to your kid, but also explain that her party is about sharing time and celebrating with family and friends that are important to her. Emphasize all of these special people and take the emphasis off of the bully that she wants to have attend.

If she insists, ask her why she wants to have a person who is unkind to her attend her special day celebration? Explain that it could be another opportunity for this person to bully her, and how would she like this? Definitely sit down and discuss this person and come to a resolution together. If there are kids you do not want attending the party for such reasons, hold your ground and try and get your kid to see your reasoning. Also, this will help her make these decisions in her own mind for future parties.