Mom overhears three girls bash another girl at Starbucks, writes them thoughtful note

Teenagers are known for being cruel, but it's rare for adults to stand up to them.

Michelle Icard, 43, is a parenting expert and a mom. On Monday, Icard overheard three girls in Starbucks complaining about other girls in their class. Icard was shocked by how nasty their complaints sounded, and posted about her experience on Facebook.

"So far they have laughed about 1) a girl who wrote a song for the talent show about being lonely (She is so weird!) 2) the crappy presents they have gotten in the past from friends," Icard wrote. "It is taking all my restraint to keep from exploding so I'm complaining to you all instead."

One of Icard's friends suggested that she go back to Starbucks, buy the girls a round of (non-alcoholic) drinks, and write them a note. Instead of standing back, or openly berating them, she encouraged her to practice compassion instead.

"Just sit back and watch their reaction," her friend wrote. 

Icard decided to listen to her friend. After buying the three girls a round of mini-Frappucinos, she left them with the following note: 

"Hi Girls! I sat near you today in Starbucks and listened as you talked. You three are obviously pretty and hard-working. I wish your kindness matched your pretty exteriors. I heard you talk about a girl who sang a song about being lonely in the talent show – and you laughed. About a girl who couldn't be lead singer because you got all the votes, about crappy presents other people have given you … and you sounded so mean and petty. 

You are smart and you are pretty. It would take nothing from you to also be kind."

Icard then wrote: "Do well!" on the note's envelope, and attached a tiny heart.

Icard then posted her note to Facebook, where it's received over 11,000 shares. Though the girls have yet to respond to Icard, the author hopes her message reached them.

"And perhaps it’s true that I overstepped my bounds, but I have to believe that there is still room in our village for lessons from strangers with good intentions in their heart. I didn’t want to shame them out loud or put them on the spot. But my hope is that maybe, just one of them was only going along with the others, and tonight she will think about that in a meaningful way as she’s falling asleep," Icard wrote on her blog.

Sometimes the best way to show compassion is with words -- and sugary drinks.