Guest guest Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 Lately I've been noticing a change in my 8-1/2 year old grandson, who I pick up on Tuesday afternoons and spend quality time with while his Mom has to work late. He's always eaten whatever I've put in front of him with few questions, but has never cared much for vegetables. Couple weeks ago I changed my schedule to pick him up first, then head over to the CSA to pickup my weekly allotment of vegetables. They have it set up like a farmers market with little signs that tell you what your share is. Well, the Grandson had so much fun picking out the vegetables that he told me, " I want to do this again...every week " . So now I pick him up first and we go do the pickup. Today he said, " I love vegetables...I wish I could only eat vegetables " . WELL! Talk about a change in attitude! Then he said, " I eat meat too " and I said, " well I don't " and that was the end of that conversation. But plant a tiny seed, show a good example, and you never know what will happen. It would please me to no end to see him adopt a vegetarian diet, but of course that is a choice he will have to make when he is old enough to make it. Against the opposition of the rest of the family, I am sure, but you know at least one Gramma will be rooting him on Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 I also have a grandson but he is 2 1/2 years old and he doesn't like meat. It is so easy to feed this child a healthy vegetarian diet but his parents do NOT want me to do that. My husband eats some meat so whenever the family is here, they want meat. They actually " hide " meat in Jordan's food and I think that's just plain stupid....I know, that's only my opinion. I am NOT going to force him to eat meat and with me being vegan, there are always a lot of good protein sources around the house. Makes me wonder sometimes if kids have to be " taught " to eat meat. I think that it's great that you took your grandson to the CSA with you. Fruits and vegetables are so much more appetizing to look at then meat products. I am a firm believer in allowing children to participate in " the process " . Stef Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well with brie. Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Go Ellen! You know, regardless of the opposition of the rest of the family, your dear grandson would grow up with clearer arteries and a less messed-up digestive track than most people, and since you love him, why not try to encourage him in that direction. On top of that practical reason are all the ethical reasons, of course. I grew up on a beef cattle ranch and when I went vegetarian, my family was completely against it. They thought it was abnormal, bad, and my new lifestyle basically threatened the thread of the family's existence. Now, some 14 years later, they take medicines for many health conditions that could have been prevented when they had the chance, and I am looking pretty peppy. Nobody criticizes my decision anymore, they're just glad I am healthy and strong enough to help them with their healthcare. You are planting the seed of health and ethical thinking in your grandson's head and you are broadening his perpectives early. Kudos to you for giving him that exposure when he is young enough to easily and comfortably adapt it into his habits and ideas of a normal lifestyle! Best, Hyldi , " sweetcatkins " <sweetcatkins wrote: > > Lately I've been noticing a change in my 8-1/2 year old grandson, who > I pick up on Tuesday afternoons and spend quality time with while his > Mom has to work late. He's always eaten whatever I've put in front of > him with few questions, but has never cared much for vegetables. > Couple weeks ago I changed my schedule to pick him up first, then head > over to the CSA to pickup my weekly allotment of vegetables. They > have it set up like a farmers market with little signs that tell you > what your share is. Well, the Grandson had so much fun picking out > the vegetables that he told me, " I want to do this again...every > week " . So now I pick him up first and we go do the pickup. Today he > said, " I love vegetables...I wish I could only eat vegetables " . WELL! > Talk about a change in attitude! Then he said, " I eat meat too " and I > said, " well I don't " and that was the end of that conversation. But > plant a tiny seed, show a good example, and you never know what will > happen. It would please me to no end to see him adopt a vegetarian > diet, but of course that is a choice he will have to make when he is > old enough to make it. Against the opposition of the rest of the > family, I am sure, but you know at least one Gramma will be rooting > him on > > Ellen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 I think it's ridiculous for this kid's parents to force him to eat meat, especially by hiding it in his food. Good for you for not forcing him to eat meat when he doesn't want to. His parents need to be educated about the benefits of vegetarianism/veganism, but it'd be up to them to receive such an education. -Rebekah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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