My dad was chatting to someone yesterday and he said I was veggo. first thing they said was oh hope that baby isnt veggo too. I am a mother of an 18 month old girl. Dont get omnis who think kids automatically need meat to grow.not sure if I should let her decide when shes older or feed her same as me
I think you should feed her the same as you, she'll consider it normal as she grows, and when she's older I'd let her make her own decision, but show her the reason why you're vegetarian. So, show her stuff about factory farming, etc, so that she's making a knowledgeable decision.
I would raise her as a veggo kid. If I ever had kids, I would raise them as vegans and act like eating meat is wrong, just like people thinking that eating like a vegan is wrong.
I think you should raise your kid how you want to. If you want to raise her veggo like you, then do it!
Despite what some people may think, you can get all the nutrients you need from a veg diet, and studies have shown that vegetarians/vegans have a reduced risk of health problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and much more!
Also you know that no animals had to suffer
When your daughter is old enough then she can make the decision to eat meat if she chooses.
My mother was a catholic meat eater, she brought me up eating meat and going to sunday mass, and eating meat and dairy, because that is what she knew, she believed this was best for me.
When I grew up I made the decision to move away from the church, and stop eating meat and dairy, because I believed this was best for me.
You bring your children up as you would like yourself to be brought up, and how you see being best for them.
As vegans we all know you can live a healthy (most of the time healthier) life avoiding those products, so why not instill those values in your children too? you know they're going to be safe doing so. When they're old enough to make a decision, as I was with my parents, they will make their own decision on what to put in their mouths.
One of my girlfriends has a 5 year old vegan boy, she's bringing up with vegan and straightedge values.
This boy has openly yelled at waiters for getting their order wrong in restaurants (putting cheese or mayo on it or something similar) without any prompting from his mother.
And also referred to people who drink alcohol as being idiots, which is something his mother also didn't say to him!
He attends rallys and fundraisers for animal rights with her and holds up his little banners, it probably helps that she owns her own vegan bakery.
But it's all about teaching them what YOU think is right. Not what anyone else thinks is right.
Yeah that's terrible. It's just the propaganda though really isn't it.. brain washed people believing that you need meat to be healthy. When we all know it's not true, in fact you're more healthy if you get rid of it. I say... continue to raise your child the way you think, just like they would too... and eventually they'll see that your kid is really healthy and happy.
I volunteered at the Live Export Rally on Sunday (in melb) for the RSPCA, collecting petition signatures and handing things out etc. and it was overwhelming how many people revealed that they have vowed/or have already raised their children vegetarian/vegan. It was surprising as I think the argument against it is so much greater - but clearly amongst like minded people it is celebrated That's just what you have to remind yourself of, who you are and where you stand with animal rights.
If I ever have children they will be raised vegan - that's not to say I won't do a hell of a lot of research beforehand! Once old enough though, they will always have their own choice to make.
If anyone ever gives you any grief for raising your child as a vegetarian/ vegan ask them what would they prefer you to feed them? chicken nuggets and happy meals like their children eat?
Reassure them that you have done a lot of research to ensure your child will get the best natural food he/she can have and that they should probably direct their judgement and time away from your child's diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains an instead scrutinise mothers forcing hormone produced, bacteria laden processed parts of caged animals into their babies.
