Design For Life: Can I stop my daughter turning into a mean girl?

This week, psychologist Aisling Leonard-Curtin advises a reader who is worried that her child may be lacking in empathy

Dear Expert,

My daughter hangs around with a group of girls who are seen to be pretty popular. A while back (for reasons not clear to me), they started excluding a friend of theirs from the group. My daughter still likes this girl, but now she is seen as not one of them.

I’ve spoken to the girl’s mother and apologised for what’s happening. Even though I’ve also brought it up with my daughter, however, ...