For an overweight or obese children family celebrations can undo weeks of careful planning and guidance. As they haven’t mastered new skills to take the place of inappropriate ones, they can suffer great stress before, during and after these celebrations.

One quick hint that can help a parent is to just say “no“ to any mixed non-alcoholic drink prepared especially for the kids. These drinks are full of sugary syrups, flavorings, undesirable fats ( yes, even if it is a beverage), and can have 500 calories or more in a glass. Instead, ask the bartender to make a non-alchoholic kid spritzer with orange juice, seltzer, a cherry and an umbrella. This will cut way back on unnecessary calories, and obese children can still enjoy the event with friends and relatives.