vegetarian parents

MelissaMiso

I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for ten years and my husband finally converted (on his own) a couple of months ago. I have never been one to push my eating habits on anyone. Our household will remain vegetarian but I am on the fence about how to allow my child to eat as they grow up and are at family and friends' houses. (I know I have a long way before I have to worry about it, but it's just been on my mind.) And I understand I will only have limited control over what choices he/she will make as they get older but I would like them to have guidance in the right direction. I'm also aware that the basis of their eating decisions will be strongly influenced by our eating.

That being said, how have you or are you dealing with passing your veg habits on your offspring? Do you tell others to not offer you child/children meat? When did you/will you give your child permission to make their own choices about food?

miababy

We plan on giving DD her own choices about eating meat when she is old enough to understand what meat is.  I think that age is different with every child.  So far, we've just played things by ear.  DH is not a total veg, but we've chosen to keep her veg and she is a great eater and shows no interest in eating meat when others do.

DoughGirl

DH is a vegetarian (20+ years). I am not. At DH's request, I agreed to raise DS as vegetarian until he is old enough to understand where food comes from, then he is free to make his own decision. At 3, he is just now beginning to reach the point of understanding chicken on the plate = chicken in the coop, etc.  We'll continue a meat free diet unless he expresses an interest in meat. We've always referred to veggie burgers and the fake chicken as just "patties" or "nuggets" so as not to confuse him by calling them burgers or chicken nuggets. Mommy eats burgers, Daddy and DS eat veggie patties. 

We've had no issue with other people. Our family and friends are aware of our choice and no one has tried to "sneak" meat to him or challenge or decision.  There are often many questions, but I've never felt a situation where I felt pressured to justify it.  It has required a back up plan every now and then if we are going somewhere and not certain which kinds of food will be available. We often have a pb&j sandwich or a veggie burger tucked into a cooler bag his backpack.  

Switzerland87

I'm a vegetarian and DH is not. We're planning on raising our LO vegetarian until they are old enough to understand where their food really comes from and inquires about meat on their own. 

nonoemily

Ugh. This is kind of a sore topic in my house.

I am vegetarian (20 years!) and my guy is not. I really would be happy if my kids decided to be vegetarians, but I know that I have to lead by example and not force the issue. I don't want my kids to eat meat before they are old enough to understand what it is and where it comes from. We have agreed to introduce fish first, by taking our LO fishing and letting him or her see how you catch a fish, kill it, clean it, and all that stuff. 

The conversation tends to break down when we get to the topic of other kinds of meat and animals. In my opinion, if you aren't comfortable with the idea of raising a chicken, killing it and preparing it, you shouldn't get to eat it. My guy thinks I'm doing our child a disservice by not allowing him or her to eat "normal" kid food like hot dogs, etc. I don't really see the logic in that one. A veggie dog accomplishes the exact same thing.

Anyone who offers my kids meat behind my back is going to be in a world of hurt. It's not just about the principal of not eating meat- you are undermining my parenting choices and that is not something I'm going to tolerate.

Mamasaurus

Switzerland87:

I'm a vegetarian and DH is not. We're planning on raising our LO vegetarian until they are old enough to understand where their food really comes from and inquires about meat on their own. 

This. If anybody outside the family pushes meat on my LO, they can expect a battle. I'm just glad that within the family, I have support to raise a veg kid.

ljanette85

I follow a vegan diet (minus honey sometimes) my fiance likes tv dinners lol

once the baby is born I will be a pt sahm mom and in charge of meals for the family. I will happily prep meat for my SO but if the kid eats it, it will have to be free range/ hormone free. I also feel that red meat should be eaten sparingly. As for dairy that will only be with meals that my SO eats. When its just me and baby at home we will be vegans. And I have been a happy, healthy veagn for almost 4 years... no worries here As for other people; my only request is to please not feed my kids crap aka mcdonalds. Im sure when the child is older he/she will have that with friends and thats fine. But I know that kids learn to eat by what their parents eat and I want to set a healthy, open minded example when they are young. I also want the child to have options but to make her own choice in the end.

 Good Luck!!