raising kids as vegetarians -- kind of long -- no reci...

October 24, 2002

I've heard the same thing. The best one i'v eheard is that its' just cruel. But the way I think of it is, we're moms and we're going to feed our kids what we think is right and good for them (vitamin mineral wise etc.) for us this happens to not include meat. They will eventually be exposed to meat from outside friends, from family (i'm the only vegetarian in my family, grandma will certainly be happy to cook her a steak or something like that),... so eventually, they can decide on their own. just a thought.

Someone else said around the same thing as well.

Ri

In a message dated 10/24/2002 4:55:25 PM Eastern Standard Time, reeeeta writes:

it's interesting to read people's opinions about this topic because i am in the process of adopting my first child and unless something extraordinary happens ;-) i will be raising her as a single mom. i plan to also raise her as a vegetarian -- i haven't managed to veganize myself yet, so we will be serving mac and cheese in our home. i have had a lot of opposition to raising her as a vegetarian -- i have been told that it is a cruel thing to do to her and that other kids will make fun of her. if i had a husband who was sharing the responsibility of raising her, he would get equal say in what she ate, but he would be responsible for cooking (and cleaning up after) any "dead animal" meals. since i will be the sole parent, i feel that i have to raise her in accordance with my own ethical beliefs. i don't want her to be made fun of, but i don't think i can say "this is what i believe is right, but you do this differently so you'll fit in better." that's just not me! i have told my family and friends that when my kids are old enough and truly understand the impact of their food decisions, then i will allow them to decide for themselves. my mother said that if i wait until they know where the meat comes from, then they won't want to eat it. and i said that that should tell you something;-) one of my sisters also felt that i should request a daughter for my second child because she thought boys would be ridiculed more for being vegetarian. i asked my vegetarian brother and he said he doesn't remember any comments in grade school. in high school, he got a lot of confused or incredulous comments, but they weren't ridiculing him. and that was over 25 years ago, so i think things should be even easier now. i did call around to different daycare providers to ask about how they would handle a vegetarian child. most of them said they would give me their menu and that i would need to pack a lunch if i didn't agree with what they were serving. one of them said i would need to get "any special diets" approved by the director, and another said i would need a letter from the doctor! i know that i'm a little paranoid and feeling that i need to feed my kids "extra good" to make up for the unconventional diet, so i have started coming up with menus and meal plans. when it comes right down to it and we get enmeshed in busy family life though, i'll probably revert to quickly grabbing something out of the cupboard or freezer;-/ at any rate, it was interesting to hear everyone's opinions. take care... rita

October 24, 2002

In a message dated 10/24/2002 4:55:25 PM Eastern Standard Time, reeeeta writes:

i asked my vegetarian brother and he said he doesn't remember any comments in grade school. in high school, he got a lot of confused or incredulous comments, but they weren't ridiculing him. and that was over 25 years ago, so i think things should be even easier now. i did call around to different daycare providers to ask about how they would handle a vegetarian child.

going through high school, I can't remember my friends or I ever being ridiculaed, per say to being a vegetarian but in actuality, I think that we were questioned (in disbelief) LOL, but nothing more.