Being Vegan: Celebrating and Having Your Cake Too

People often express concern to me that that my kids are deprived at birthdays and parties if it is not a vegan birthday. They think don't get the "full experience" of the party.Being vegan is not about being deprived. What is important is creating a sense of discovery; constant communication, teaching, learning and exploration. When we go to a birthday party, I always bring a sweet treat for my kids so they have something they can look forward to. We make something special just for Jayden and he sits down at the table, just as excited as all of the other kids, and eats his treat with utter joy.Jayden doesn't miss the cake.What's more, if I didn't bring it for him, he knows to ask: "Is it vegan and gluten free?" And if we explain that it is not, he simply says "no thank" and walks away.Sometimes, he asks me why some people eat animals. I talk about how WE choose to not eat animals because we love them so much and that we all make choices in our lives. There is no reason to judge his family or those that he knows and love that eats animals... we just talk about the reasons we don't.Anyway, food really is just a small part of the party even though we often put lots of emphasis on the food.  Jayden and Adeline are there to play: with friends, play structures, run, be silly and enjoy life.What do you do to help make your child feel more included in a non-vegan party?