Dear Family Coach: A pair of 5th-grade girls recently had a birthday party, and they invited every girl in their respective classes except my daughter. I have no idea why she was excluded. The party was all the other kids could talk about, and there were many pictures posted on social media. It was heartbreaking. I often see the mothers of these girls at school. They say hello and act friendly, yet they callously excluded my daughter. Should I address their thoughtlessness or just let it go? —Devastated Daughter's Mother

Dear Mother: I don't believe that parents have an obligation to invite every child in the class to a birthday party. There are several justifiable reasons to support this opinion. Families may not have enough financial means to include all children in the class or they may be limited for space at the location of the party. That being said, it is unconscionable to invite all children but one. These parents are indeed callous.

Before addressing the mishap consider your daughter's feelings first. Was she heartbroken about the party or did she take it in stride? Also, think of potential negative outcomes to speaking out to the mothers. Would there be any repercussions for your daughter that would cause her additional discomfort? If your daughter has already moved on, I'd say let it go. If she is troubled by it and would like your help to understand why she was left out, then do speak to the mothers.

What I wouldn't do is repeat this ugly behavior by excluding their children from your child's party, if you decide to invite the entire class. Taking the high road will teach your daughter good manners and show those ugly mothers what thoughtfulness looks like.

Dear Family Coach: My 7-year-old daughter loves being creative and doing crafts and projects. My wife and I support it 100 percent. The problem is my daughter now wants to keep every empty box, piece of tissue paper, stamp and ribbon we ever get for use in some potential craft. She routinely gets upset when I want to throw out any unused object. What's the best way to support her creativity, but at the same time, keep some order in the house? —Crafty's Dad

Dear Dad: Making art, in any form, is good for you. Studies show there are social and emotional benefits for kids and adults alike when they create. Sadly, as schools become more focused on meeting academic standards and children's free time is taken up with extracurricular activities, art sometimes takes a back burner. How wonderful that you and your wife find the time and space to allow your little creator to make art.

Having said that, there is a reasonable limit to what materials you should be required to save around the house for when the urge to create strikes. Identify an area or container where supplies will be stored. When that area is filled your daughter should be prohibited from saving additional materials. If there is something she absolutely must have, encourage her to purge a different item to make room. I guarantee she will put up a fight getting rid of any of her super special supplies. But you must insist. Collecting materials often happens more rapidly than consuming them. If you aren't careful you will be overrun.

To help ease the pain of parting with supplies practice the recycle part of "reduce, reuse, and recycle." Praise your daughter for following good conservation efforts by limiting material in the landfill.

Dr. Catherine Pearlman, the founder of The Family Coach, LLC, advises parents on all matters of child rearing. To write to Dr. Pearlman, send her an email at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Catherine Pearlman and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.