Sometimes all you hear on the news is doom and gloom as if society is a complete disaster and most people are entirely selfish.
I am a teacher and yes some behaviours I see are appalling. And it is increasing in mainstream. However, I think this is more to do with inclusion being underfunded. Kids are just thrown into school settings without sufficient support and resources to cope with them. I believe that most kids are kind and decent human beings.
We have a child Callie, who doesn't get asked to many parties, gets quite anxious in big social occasions. She says she prefer their own company but I think this is a bit of a front as she also say she gets lonely.
Another child has been allowed to ask one person to the cinema and for something to eat for their birthday. This is a very popular kid with lots of friends.
She has asked Callie to go out for her birthday. The look on Callie's face when she realised it wasn't a big group (so she would get a scare) and that she had been asked first - not a last resort.
She smiled for the rest of the afternoon, knowing she does have someone to call a friend.
It was really lovely.