I am doing really well staying on protocol and losing weight. I know I can plan my own meal for events or make a way to stick to protocol. However, I have four children under 11 years old and lots of birthdays coming up this summer. My daughter’s birthday is soon, and she wants a homemade meal that is definitely not on protocol. No big deal! I’ll make something for myself and we can all enjoy together. But what happens when my kids make treats they want me to try? What can I say to help them understand why I am not partaking? For adults I know that I am not responsible for their thoughts and feelings around my actions, but I do feel a responsibility to guide my kids in the right thinking. Is there a way to explain things without creating a hyper-awareness of their own bodies and what they are eating?