DEAR ABBY:

My 11-year-old daughter, “Emma,” has a group of six to eight friends she has played with at school, in scouts, parties, etc., for more than three years. Eight months ago, one of the girls, “Charlotte,” had a sleepover, and Emma was not invited. She was very hurt and cried. I told her she would not always be invited to everything and maybe there was a limit Charlotte could invite.

Since then, whenever there is an event that Emma knows Charlotte will be at, my daughter refuses to go. For eight months she has purposely skipped some parties and scouting events. Otherwise, they all seem to still hang together at school. How can I help my daughter understand she is only hurting herself? -- EMPATHETIC MOM IN OHIO

DEAR MOM:

It is time your daughter was taught that she doesn’t have t

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