All The Kids Avoided My Son On Vacation. When I Asked Why, My Heart Broke

During what was supposed to be a joyful family getaway, I watched my 8-year-old son face quiet rejection again and again. He’s the kind of kid who lights up when he sees other children—bubbly, kind, eager to make friends. But each time he approached a group, I saw them glance at each other, whisper, and drift away, leaving him standing alone. He kept smiling, kept trying, even as I saw that smile crack a little more each time. My husband and I tried to stay positive, thinking maybe the kids just needed more time to warm up. But something didn’t sit right. So I pulled aside one of the parents, gently pressing for the truth. What he told me nearly knocked the wind out of me…