School was tough, but at least you could play tag at lunchtime, bring a birthday cake on your big day and hug your friends when you needed it, right?
Not anymore.
The kids of today are subjected to some pretty strict (and perhaps unnecessary) rules that make certain school yards seem more like nanny states.
And this latest one is a doozy.
The Daily Mail reports an elite private school in the UK has banned its students from handing out birthday party invitations unless the whole class is invited, to avoid upsetting those children who are left out.
Kingswood Preparatory School in Bath, which charges about $31,500 a year in fees, says just inviting a few friends is “divisive and unkind” and goes against the school’s inclusion policy.
Head teacher Mark Brearey sent a letter home to parents advising of the new rule.
While some parents at the exclusive school are likely to resist hosting a kids’ party for dozens of children, Mr. Brearey stands by the rule.
“We consider kindness to be one of the key values of our school,” he said. “What we are saying is that actually handing over party invitations to some of the group in front of people is not the way we would like it to happen.”
He said if parents just want to invite a few friends, they should do it privately.
“Do it by email, not in a public place where you find one or two or three people are left,” he added.
“If children feel like they have been left out by one of the class it can have a serious impact and it is something that doesn’t need to happen.”
This story originally appeared on News.com.au.