explaining dietary choices to almost 3 year old

[Guest guest]

I know this topic has come up here before, but I am looking for more

ideas. I am vegan, and so is my 3 year old daughter. My husband is

ovo-lacto, and is supportive of the decision to feed my daughter a

vegan diet. He eats cheese in the house, and when his extended

family visits, they drink cow's milk.

 

My daughter has been asking to try the cow's milk (we drink soy and

almond milk) and sometimes the cheese. I have bought cheese

alternatives and she does not really like them.

 

I guess my dilemma is this--how do I present our choices to her on a

level that she will understand but one that will not judge others'

choices? The other day I put the soy, almond, and cow's milk out on

the counter and told her how they are all made. I told her that the

cow's milk is meant for baby cows, and that is one reason that we

(she and I) do not drink it. The next day she said, " That is for the

baby cows. "

 

Any choices that anyone has made in explaining these issues to this

age group that you can share with me will be appreciated. The other

thing about this 2-3 age group is that so many things are a power

struggle, and I don't want to turn this into one!

 

Thanks!

Melissa

[Guest guest]

Melissa,

 

This is a problem for us too. I have not made the switch wholly to non-cow

milk, but I am trying. My 3.5 y/o daughter loves cow's milk, and she calls

it " Daddy's milk " because she knows that mommy drinks " vanilla milk. " The

thing is, she defines what's inside based on the container...she knows that

Daddy's milk is in the red container, etc. So I am working on replacing

what's in the red container. I know that is underhanded and sneaky...but I

think she would drink the soy or almond milk if she thought it was

" Daddy's, " no matter the taste. My kids do love chocolate silk, so I always

have that and encourage them to drink it. I had hoped they would go for

vanilla in the same way, but no such luck!

 

Chessie

 

 

On

Behalf Of werallanimals

Wednesday, December 07, 2005 2:52 AM

 

explaining dietary choices to almost 3 year old

 

I know this topic has come up here before, but I am looking for more

ideas. I am vegan, and so is my 3 year old daughter. My husband is

ovo-lacto, and is supportive of the decision to feed my daughter a

vegan diet. He eats cheese in the house, and when his extended

family visits, they drink cow's milk.

 

My daughter has been asking to try the cow's milk (we drink soy and

almond milk) and sometimes the cheese. I have bought cheese

alternatives and she does not really like them.

 

I guess my dilemma is this--how do I present our choices to her on a

level that she will understand but one that will not judge others'

choices? The other day I put the soy, almond, and cow's milk out on

the counter and told her how they are all made. I told her that the

cow's milk is meant for baby cows, and that is one reason that we

(she and I) do not drink it. The next day she said, " That is for the

baby cows. "

 

Any choices that anyone has made in explaining these issues to this

age group that you can share with me will be appreciated. The other

thing about this 2-3 age group is that so many things are a power

struggle, and I don't want to turn this into one!

 

Thanks!

Melissa

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at

http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to

http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to

provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a

qualified health professional.

 

edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health

professional.