New Member Intro

[Guest guest]

Hi all - My name is Joanne, I am from Omaha, NE (If any of you are

from my area, let me know). I've been a vegetarian for many years,

but have recently changed to a 'total vegetarian' (no dairy either).

I have 3 kids ages 6, 8 & 10 who have almost the same diet as I do. I

have a husband who thinks I'm nuts for eating this way (that's where

the kids " almost " comes in); however he does eat what I cook.

 

I went searching for a group to be a part of because I am running in

to problems with people who don't agree with my way of feeding the

kids (or myself) & I need a little support/encouragement. This group

looked like a good one. Right now I do let the kids eat what is

offered at birthday parties, scout meetings & such, but I would like

to learn how to " just say no " without feeling like everyone (not the

kids) is working against me. I know I have every right to say what my

kids should & shouldn't eat, but I am also a peace keeper & often

times find it easier to not say anything to people about the way we

eat. Hope all that made sense. The kids enjoy the way I cook and have

no problem with the way we eat. But we do run in to problems -- like

today for instance. We had to go to my cousin's birthday party at

McDonald's of all places (I am the oldest cousin of about 40, so a lot

of my cousin's are the same ages as my kids). I told my aunt ahead of

time that we would not eat the happy meals & she was fine with that.

Well, needless to say, when the food was sitting in front of them,

they ate the chicken nuggets. It's hard to control things like that

when 10 other kids in the room are doing it. Same thing with the cake

- I am sure it had eggs in it, but how do I tell my kids (especially

in front of all those people) that they cannot have the cake???

 

After all that blabbing (sorry, had to get it off my chest), here's my

question - how do you guys with kids deal with situations like that??

Do you avoid birthday parties? What about Scout meetings or other

functions that you have to attend? And how do you get your kids to be

true to your way of eating? If anything is said about the way we eat

to other people, we immediately become the center of attention (of

course the biggie is " your kids aren't going to get enough protein &

calcium " ). I am very educated on nutrition & try to tell them that we

have it covered, but it doesn't matter. It's also very hard for me to

remember all the 'right things to say' when everyone is picking on my

choices.

 

Any stories or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Joanne in Omaha NE