Vegetarian children?!
Vegetarian children?
One more question - my son has been asking me why I don't eat meat. Since his dad doesn't I have never forced him to be a vegetarian. But now he is asking me and saying he doesn't want to eat meat because he doesn't want to kill cows and pigs and fish.
I obviously completely support this. But my husband says I am brainwashing him.
I have never told him not to eat meat, and I have tried to be very respectful of my husband and not to force my vegetarianism on him for the last 8 years. But I feel if my son wants to do this too, I should be supportive.
My husband says my son is growing and he needs meat and he can make his own choice when he is 18. I disagree and think that he should be able to start at a young age - and we would have to be more selective and responsible with his food.
Any ideas?
1 month ago
I don't mind words from other side - or hearing both sides of the argument. But any bashing will be reported. Thanks :)
1 month ago
And by the way he hasn't asked about milk or eggs and loves them both. I am not trying to pursuade him to BE a vegetarian and for all I know it is a phase he won't stick with when he realizes this also means no hamburgers or steak when him and dad have boys night out! LOL. But he is still eating milk, eggs, bread - etc.
Answers:
1 month ago
I don't mind words from other side - or hearing both sides of the argument. But any bashing will be reported. Thanks :)
1 month ago
And by the way he hasn't asked about milk or eggs and loves them both. I am not trying to pursuade him to BE a vegetarian and for all I know it is a phase he won't stick with when he realizes this also means no hamburgers or steak when him and dad have boys night out! LOL. But he is still eating milk, eggs, bread - etc.
So many young kids come to this forum hurt and depressed because their parents put them down and don't respect their desire to become vegetarian. These kids feel terrible... and who wouldn't? It is hard being ostracized by your family and looked down upon.
Your child is lucky to have a vegetarian mom who can be there for him and help him with healthy decisions. Many kids begin hiding their food or only eat whatever side dishes are around. This cannot be healthy.
As far as your husband, I think you two have bigger issues to work out. You mean after all this time, he still feels this way about your lifestyle and beliefs? He still looks down upon the decision, is willing to call you a brain washer and imply you are manipulating your own child, and still thinks a vegetarian diet is unhealthy? It is time for a new level of respect and appreciation for who you are.
... but that is for a whole other section in this forum. Here is some info on vegetarian kids.
:)
Good luck with everything.
Source(s):
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/t...
http://www.vegfamily.com/babies-and-todd...
http://www.vegansociety.com/html/people/...
http://www.vrg.org/family/kidsindex.htm...
http://www.vegsoc.org/news/2000/21cv/chi...
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-gxld3h0hc...
Maybe you can make sure you are often speaking with your son when your husband is around, so your husband stops thinking you are brainwashing your son. You can try to keep repeating to your son that he can eat "whatever he wants"...within reason, obviously. Then hopefully your husband will get the message. If you politely tell your husband that you respect his food preferences, and it would be appreciated if he respected yours as well, perhaps that would be best. Make sure your son gets enough nutrients from whatever he eats and is healthy and strong, perhaps then your husband may change his mind and realize that vegetarians can be healthy too.
Good luck and don't give up.
I see this as a good sign. Your son understands the suffering of poor animals and you should not discourage him. I was though, born a vegetarian my parents would have never stopped me if I wanted to eat meat. I chose not to and growing up understood that animals feel pain too. I grew up to be a compassionate human being even if I say so myself. I feel gifted that I can speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and see what most people don't see, I feel your son is gifted too. I would suggest you let your husband know that this is your son's choice and he chooses not to eat meat. You can encourage your son to eat veggie burgers when he goes out with dad (if dad agrees i.e.) They are just as tasty.... as you must know:)
I would be a proud mom if I had a son like yours.
Good Luck.
I'm vegetarian and I'm 14. It was my own decision and it should be your son. Some of my friends are also vegetarian and we are all completely healthy and growing. One of them is realy tall! You should talk to your son with your husband about vegetarianism and the pros and cons of it. He needs to understand what it's all about before he makes a decision. If he really is passionate about it, your husband should see this and let him. Talk to your husband about it and do some research to prove you point if necessary. Good luck, I hope your son does become vegetarian!
It doesn't matter what age he is, if he wants to it is his choice, just make sure that is definetely what he wants. There are so many vegetarian dishes that have all the nutrition that you need so it is possible for children to be veggie and still get sufficient amounts of nutrients. Tell this to your husband and also if it is your sons choice then he can't really persuade him to eat meat. Good luck xx
Well, remember, not all meat comes from factory farms that peta videos represent. I'm fortunate enough to get my beef and pork from local farmers, and their animals are anything but mistreated. I guess I'm just saying please don't instinctively take the animal cruelty route with your son.
If your son chooses to be a vegetarian, that's a family decision, and good luck to you!
Well, I'm a vegetarian and I'm 14. I've been a vegetarian ever since I was 8, and I decided to become one by myself. I think I pretty healthy. I do take supplements though, so if your son sticks to his decision, I would say to give him some kind of supplement to make sure he isn't missing any vitamins.
I don't see a problem. I know a family where one son is vegetarian and the other is not. A girl in my school never ate meat her whole life from her own choice -- she didn't like the taste she said. Her family ate it, but she did not. No big deal. Your husband is afraid of him becoming unmanly or not becoming big and strong and manly. I'm a guy, I know, this is how guys think. The last thing in the world the *typical* guy wants is a gay son, or anything that even slightly points in that direction. Point out the links below and have him take a look.
Between you and me, I think that waiting until a child is 18 to make their own choices in life is too late. And it should be an *informed* choice. Anyway, you can always get your son hooked up with some other vegetarian boys and your husband can see that the vegetarian boys look fine.