Thread: Bringing up my child vegetarian, more of a WWYD??

The thing is, though, I don't think that we have the right to place our morality on our children. Just as I would not force my children to accept my religious beliefs, I wouldn't force my vegetarianism on them either. I made a conscious decision when I was about 14 to become a vegetarian and have been one ever since. I don't eat gummy sweets or jelly or marshmallows or any of those other things, but nor do I really eat quorn or...

but instead you have foisted societal norms on them stressedmum! Which is that people eat meat. As a parent I don't think there's anything wrong brining your children up to 'your' standards rather than societies. As long as when they are old enough they can choose.

Sorry, should also say that it would be important to teach him about the connection between animals and his plate and how meat and fish can support a healthy diet - fats, proteins, amino acids, fish oils, calcium e.t.c. Try to keep things honest and balanced. I would (and have) started this from a very young age because I'd like my children to grow up with open minds rather than in the way I've chosen. My 4 year old eats meat and...

I do agree with you ellokitty on the "type" of meat you get at many parties <shudders>. Even if DD did eat meat i wouldn't really want her to eat it but as a one off its probably not really worth getting that het up about.

I have been vegetarian for almost 20 years since I was 9. I made an informed decision and have stuck to my guns ever since but any younger than that and I dont think kids can make an informed decision really. Ds isnt vegetarian though he doesnt eat much meat anyways through choice. I am not entirely happy that he isnt vegetarian because I do feel a bit guilty about it in terms of animal welfare etc. Dh thought I would be forcing him to be...

I agree with you ellokitty on the type of meat at parties, but you have to let go of the control outside your house as they get older. I know a couple of vegans who had strict control-both DCs are adult now and meat eaters. I think that they would have been far more likely to be vegan if their parents had been relaxed about it.

Also you'll probably find that you don't need to worry about parties, I have just always said that she is veggie when we accept the invite and usually most parties provide pizza, jam sandwiches and crisps, so she just eats that. There's never an issue about it. DD2 who is almost 3, also knows that she is a demi vegetarian, and will happily tell people and ask if it has got meat in it. No hovering required! My experience has...

stressedHEmum - I didn't think it was horrific, but my friend thought I shouldn't have been mentioning killing and death of animals to a three-year-old, and said it was biased towards making him choose vegetarianism. I can't think of another way to describe where meat comes from without saying that an animal is killed though. That was how my mum told me (she is a meat eater) and that was what made me not want to eat it. Sorry,...

DS has always known where meat comes from and which animal which meat is from. I think it is important that he understands that we are eating another living thing and that is actually quite a big deal. He knows that the lambs he sees on Nanny's farm are the same ones that turn up in the roast. No problems whatsoever.

Would love opinions on this, another thread had me up in the night thinking about this! DH and i have both been vegetarians for many years and (naturally to my mind) have not given DS meat to eat, he eats what we eat We eat a balanced diet, plenty of protein and i like to think I am a fair cook I have always been of the mind that DS can choose to eat meat himself as soon as he able to express a preference but I'm not going to cook it for...