The worse part is knowing you and kid have to face it again. Hockey tryouts are here and not bragging but she's an A player, last two years the assessors have been shocked that the A team coaches never took her. Apparently they "can't understand it" and each year I have to bite back my seething disgust at the clique moms, (the moms run everything) and be a nice human, meanwhile watching my kid's spirit and love for the game get destroyed. I apologize to my kid and tell her it's not her fault, it's mine because I won't cozy up and blow smoke up their asses. I don't go for beers after, I don't hang around the rink all weekend and "talk hockey."

As for the other thing about kids being shits, a few weeks ago this very thing happened. My girl had a bestie who begged to come for a weekend sleepover. No problem, she was welcome and my girl was happy. Then another "more popular" girl suddenly appeared in the other girls sphere and began changing plans. My kid was about to be abandoned. But, my wife and I encouraged our daughter to call the original girl out on her tactics-which she did. Both girls came over, the original stayed for the sleepover while the 2nd girl, (also a bestie) was sent home after supper. BUT when they arrived my wife gave both girls a long and serious lecture on how to behave with your friends, what is and what is not okay. She had them standing there for ten minutes and the girls felt shame. The key there was that they were in our home, where our rules apply.

Good luck to you and hope your daughter can make those real quality friends.