Raising children in a veggie environment

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  Posted by springtime Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:04am PST

  Try not to worry too much. Vegetarians are widely accepted now, wherever they go. In school, many children and teachers are veggies. Most places do not serve only meats. There are always sides. There are three veggies in my family. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, they enjoy everything but the turkey/ham and no one criticizes them.

  What is most important is good physical and mental health in a family. If you have a good,sensible attitude about food choices, so will your children.

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  Posted by cj Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:50am PST

  I was raised vege but started eating meat more to rebel in my teens. However, I have changed back to 98% vege and have married a carnivore. It wasn't really any issue as he enjoyed eating most of my vege recipes. We rarely would cook meat at home and he was fine with that. Then we had a child. I always knew that I would want to feed my kids vegge because I do feel that it is more healthy. Hubby was concerned at first more about the logistics of being a vege kid at parties, sleep overs, etc. It would never be a problem while the kid was visiting my parents, but I was concerned about his parents.

  It is very important to be able to explain your position to your parents and why you feel that way. Gently remind them that you are the parent and these decisions are indeed yours to make. It may not be easy at first. However, I didn't allow my child to stay over until some agreements had been made. One of which was about their smoking habit. Once that was understood, then the rest was going along ok. On another note communication is key. Let her know what your expectations are about your childs diet and care while at her home. My in-laws are very aware (in a nice way of course) that if my expectations aren't being met then there will be no unsupervised visits. This includes their movie/tv viewing, appropriate activities, reading material, bedtime, meals, etc.

  I think that carnivores are just not very educated about the non-meat choices available. Over the years I had routinely contributed non-meat dishes at all family dinner gatherings. If anyone scoffed I only responded with "until you try at least a couple of bites, it's not fair for you to judge or be negative". They tried them, they liked them. On one occasion, my MIL complimented my meatballs -- I really enjoyed telling her there was no meat in them!!!

  As for school, my son attend a school where breakfast and lunch are provided. Once the teachers were educated about the diet, everything goes along fine. As far as the kids go, at young ages, they don't look at it as being different and teachers don't allow teasing. It's a good opportunity to teach tolerance and differences.

  About other events such as sleep overs, parties, etc. I do of course inquire about the menu. If the parent is unable to wrap their head around it, then I make sure that mom or dad is going to be there at the party and bring something for my kid to eat.

  I wish you much success in your endeavor.

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  Posted by shannonp Thu Nov 26, 2009 6:05pm PST

  Thank you so much for your help and answers. These tips are really helpful and I will try to remember them as the years progress.

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  Posted by raindrops Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:54pm PST

  your kids, your choice.

  just do your research and make sure they're nourished properly. as for school, my child's public school has a meatless choice for lunch. or just pack them a sack lunch.

  as with any special diet, just tell your kids what they can and cannot eat. there's lots of kids on gluten-free, dairy-free diets. why should this be any different?

  btw, i eat meat, and that's my choice. :)

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  Posted by LittleO Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:32pm PST

  Would it kill you to spell out the word "vegetarian"? At least have some respect for this lifestyle you're so proud of. "Veggie" is a lazy substitute for a vegetable, not a person.

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  Posted by Elaine R Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:25pm PST

  You can also make your kids lunch for them to take to school. School food is nasty and not really healthy.

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  Posted by Michele Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:29pm PST

  I raised my three kids vegetarian, and I still cook that way. So when they visit, that's what they eat. Your in-laws are being disrespectful to you. Get your husband to back you. Maybe they don't know what to serve your kids? Do you let your kids eat dairy, fish or eggs? If not, it could be pasta night! If necessary, send food with your children. There is always peanut butter sandwiches! Good luck!

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  Posted by mighty_mouse Sun Nov 29, 2009 11:25pm PST

  wow. how unbelievably selfish of you to push your extreme food lifestyle onto your children, and subject them to potential ridicule, not to mention possible malnourishment.

  shame on you.

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  Posted by Martha Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:51am PST

  Hallo Shannonp!

  I am a grandmother from Sweden and have had a lot to do with veggie or not. I for myself eat special and have the same comments as I can think your child will have both in school and with friends and their parents. But - your childs wellfare should be the most important for you and I think you can allow him or her to eat fish captured in the deep northern sea and it shall be as clean as possible. If you want he or her can eat that in every situation that has meat in it. Say that he or her only eat fish and that you want that for him or her. Vegetables the meat-children also are eating, are they not? And veggie-children needs some meat such as chicken, turkey and lamb. We are a meat-eating kind since eons and that is in our cells. It takes some generations to get it out from our systems so give your child a bit fish now and then! He/her needs it! And your child will feel better all together both bodylike and menthal...

  MS

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• 
  Posted by Martha Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:54am PST

  Hallo Shannonp!

  I am a grandmother from Sweden and have had a lot to do with veggie or not. I for myself eat special and have the same comments as I can think your child will have both in school and with friends and their parents. But - your childs wellfare should be the most important for you and I think you can allow him or her to eat fish captured in the deep northern sea and it shall be as clean as possible. If you want he or her can eat that in every situation that has meat in it. Say that he or her only eat fish and that you want that for him or her. Vegetables the meat-children also are eating, are they not? And veggie-children needs some meat such as chicken, turkey and lamb. We are a meat-eating kind since eons and that is in our cells. It takes some generations to get it out from our systems so give your child a bit fish now and then! He/her needs it! And your child will feel better all together both bodylike and menthal...

  MS

  Report Abuse