My friend (yes, I only have one) shared with me this week that his 8 year old son was the only boy in his school class not to receive an invitation to a classmate's birthday party. The birthday boy passed out his invitations in class - to everyone but my friend's son, "Johnny."

Are you kidding me?

My wife taught first grade for years and learned early on to make it plain to parents - if you are gonna pass out invitations in class, invite everyone. If not, invite folks privately.

But, really, it is not the teacher's responsibility. It is the parents'.

When my friend called the birthday boy's parents to inquire about what happened and why, the father was billigerent. "Our son doesn't want your son at the party. We let him choose who comes to his party."

Fine, then pass out the invitations privately or by phone. Have a heart. Even better, be a PARENT for heaven's sake, and teach your son to have class (no pun intended).

Who's running the house? Mom and Dad or the kids? Parents know the difference.