Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hello all, I wanted to share an article I saw online in the LA Times today regarding raising vegetarian children. I wasn't very happy with it, considering they suggest that parents allow their kids to eat meat at their friends house. I have just wrote a letter to the editor explaining that for may of us it is an ethical principle and we stand up to ethics, rather than give into peer pressure (among other things that I said). Anyway, please take a moment to read the article and I have provided the info to send a letter to the editor if you feel inclined to do so. Article: http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-vegetarian-kids-conflict9-2009nov09\ ,0,3159659.story Letters to the editor need to be under 150 words, and you must include your contact info (name, address, city, state, phone number - will not be printed though). Send them to: letters Parents raising their kids to be vegetarian need support and advice. I don't know about you all, but to me this is not helpful. Rather than offer ways to help kids understand why they are being raised that way, they minimize it and make unsavory suggestions. Thank you, Jacqueline www.vegblogger.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hahaha! That last paragraph in the article just makes me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness!! Saying that we need to compromise... " such as allowing kids to eat meat at friends' houses or restaurants or packing snacks and lunches that look like chicken nuggets or hot dogs but are actually made from soy or wheat gluten. " That is one of the dumbest piece of advice I've ever read! The editor has obviously NEVER been a vegetarian and cannot possibly understand our principle in raising our children vegetarian! He had no sense in writing this article. My children are only toddlers but I talk positively with them about our food choices every day. They already have a sense of pride when we discuss our food and about abstaining from eating beautiful animals. I am confident that they won't be anxious or feel deprived as they grow up. Thanks so much for sharing the article, Jacqueline and thanks for representing us and sending the editor a comment regarding the article. I may do the same cause I just find it so absurd. - Denise --- On Mon, 11/9/09, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb LA Times article Monday, November 9, 2009, 11:38 AM  Hello all, I wanted to share an article I saw online in the LA Times today regarding raising vegetarian children. I wasn't very happy with it, considering they suggest that parents allow their kids to eat meat at their friends house. I have just wrote a letter to the editor explaining that for may of us it is an ethical principle and we stand up to ethics, rather than give into peer pressure (among other things that I said). Anyway, please take a moment to read the article and I have provided the info to send a letter to the editor if you feel inclined to do so. Article: http://www.latimes. com/features/ health/la- he-vegetarian- kids-conflict9- 2009nov09, 0,3159659. story Letters to the editor need to be under 150 words, and you must include your contact info (name, address, city, state, phone number - will not be printed though). Send them to: letters (AT) latimes (DOT) com Parents raising their kids to be vegetarian need support and advice. I don't know about you all, but to me this is not helpful. Rather than offer ways to help kids understand why they are being raised that way, they minimize it and make unsavory suggestions. Thank you, Jacqueline www.vegblogger. com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Denise, I'm glad you found it as ridiculous as I did. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. I think the Vegetarian Resource Group should have someone write a letter to the editor! Since when do non-vegetarians start giving us advice on how to raise our kids vegetarian? Or should I say not raise them vegetarian, which seemed more like the advice in the article. Basically they believe the kids will give into peer pressure, so you might as well let them have it. To that end I say that maybe they should be teaching THEIR children to be more tolerant of those who eat differently than they do and now try to pressure them to be like everyone else. :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it! Jacqueline ------- Re: LA Times article Denise Turner <deniseamay Mon, November 09, 2009 2:16 pm Hahaha! That last paragraph in the article just makes me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness!! Saying that we need to compromise... " such as allowing kids to eat meat at friends' houses or restaurants or packing snacks and lunches that look like chicken nuggets or hot dogs but are actually made from soy or wheat gluten. " That is one of the dumbest piece of advice I've ever read! The editor has obviously NEVER been a vegetarian and cannot possibly understand our principle in raising our children vegetarian! He had no sense in writing this article. My children are only toddlers but I talk positively with them about our food choices every day. They already have a sense of pride when we discuss our food and about abstaining from eating beautiful animals. I am confident that they won't be anxious or feel deprived as they grow up. Thanks so much for sharing the article, Jacqueline and thanks for representing us and sending the editor a comment regarding the article. I may do the same cause I just find it so absurd. - Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Are they going to recommend that when families keep kosher, it is ok for their kids to have a cheeseburger at a friend's house? ________________________________ Jacqueline Bodnar <jb Mon, November 9, 2009 1:26:13 PM RE: LA Times article  Denise, I'm glad you found it as ridiculous as I did. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. I think the Vegetarian Resource Group should have someone write a letter to the editor! Since when do non-vegetarians start giving us advice on how to raise our kids vegetarian? Or should I say not raise them vegetarian, which seemed more like the advice in the article. Basically they believe the kids will give into peer pressure, so you might as well let them have it. To that end I say that maybe they should be teaching THEIR children to be more tolerant of those who eat differently than they do and now try to pressure them to be like everyone else. :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it! Jacqueline ------- Re: LA Times article Denise Turner <deniseamay > Mon, November 09, 2009 2:16 pm @gro ups.com Hahaha! That last paragraph in the article just makes me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness! ! Saying that we need to compromise.. . " such as allowing kids to eat meat at friends' houses or restaurants or packing snacks and lunches that look like chicken nuggets or hot dogs but are actually made from soy or wheat gluten. " That is one of the dumbest piece of advice I've ever read! The editor has obviously NEVER been a vegetarian and cannot possibly understand our principle in raising our children vegetarian! He had no sense in writing this article. My children are only toddlers but I talk positively with them about our food choices every day. They already have a sense of pride when we discuss our food and about abstaining from eating beautiful animals. I am confident that they won't be anxious or feel deprived as they grow up. Thanks so much for sharing the article, Jacqueline and thanks for representing us and sending the editor a comment regarding the article. I may do the same cause I just find it so absurd. - Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Oh, that is a VERY good point that I hadn't thought of!! You're right, they should be teaching THEIR kids to be tolerant of other people's food choices. Do kids really tease or put pressure on other kids who don't eat meat?? I hope that's not what I have to look forward to when my kids are teenagers!! Thanks! --- On Mon, 11/9/09, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb RE: LA Times article Monday, November 9, 2009, 2:26 PM  Denise, I'm glad you found it as ridiculous as I did. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. I think the Vegetarian Resource Group should have someone write a letter to the editor! Since when do non-vegetarians start giving us advice on how to raise our kids vegetarian? Or should I say not raise them vegetarian, which seemed more like the advice in the article. Basically they believe the kids will give into peer pressure, so you might as well let them have it. To that end I say that maybe they should be teaching THEIR children to be more tolerant of those who eat differently than they do and now try to pressure them to be like everyone else. :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it! Jacqueline ------- Re: LA Times article Denise Turner <deniseamay > Mon, November 09, 2009 2:16 pm @gro ups.com Hahaha! That last paragraph in the article just makes me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness! ! Saying that we need to compromise.. . " such as allowing kids to eat meat at friends' houses or restaurants or packing snacks and lunches that look like chicken nuggets or hot dogs but are actually made from soy or wheat gluten. " That is one of the dumbest piece of advice I've ever read! The editor has obviously NEVER been a vegetarian and cannot possibly understand our principle in raising our children vegetarian! He had no sense in writing this article. My children are only toddlers but I talk positively with them about our food choices every day. They already have a sense of pride when we discuss our food and about abstaining from eating beautiful animals. I am confident that they won't be anxious or feel deprived as they grow up. Thanks so much for sharing the article, Jacqueline and thanks for representing us and sending the editor a comment regarding the article. I may do the same cause I just find it so absurd. - Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Exactly! I'm sure they don't want our vegetarian kids standing there teaching their kids all about the horros of the slaughterhouse. The parents would have a fit (because they kids would want to rebel and stop eating animals). Just a matter of perspective! :-) Jacqueline ------- RE: LA Times article Denise Turner <deniseamay Mon, November 09, 2009 2:57 pm Oh, that is a VERY good point that I hadn't thought of!! You're right, they should be teaching THEIR kids to be tolerant of other people's food choices. Do kids really tease or put pressure on other kids who don't eat meat?? I hope that's not what I have to look forward to when my kids are teenagers!! Thanks! --- On Mon, 11/9/09, Jacqueline Bodnar <jb wrote: Jacqueline Bodnar <jb RE: LA Times article Monday, November 9, 2009, 2:26 PM Denise, I'm glad you found it as ridiculous as I did. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. I think the Vegetarian Resource Group should have someone write a letter to the editor! Since when do non-vegetarians start giving us advice on how to raise our kids vegetarian? Or should I say not raise them vegetarian, which seemed more like the advice in the article. Basically they believe the kids will give into peer pressure, so you might as well let them have it. To that end I say that maybe they should be teaching THEIR children to be more tolerant of those who eat differently than they do and now try to pressure them to be like everyone else. :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it! Jacqueline ------- Re: LA Times article Denise Turner <deniseamay > Mon, November 09, 2009 2:16 pm @gro ups.com Hahaha! That last paragraph in the article just makes me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness! ! Saying that we need to compromise.. . " such as allowing kids to eat meat at friends' houses or restaurants or packing snacks and lunches that look like chicken nuggets or hot dogs but are actually made from soy or wheat gluten. " That is one of the dumbest piece of advice I've ever read! The editor has obviously NEVER been a vegetarian and cannot possibly understand our principle in raising our children vegetarian! He had no sense in writing this article. My children are only toddlers but I talk positively with them about our food choices every day. They already have a sense of pride when we discuss our food and about abstaining from eating beautiful animals. I am confident that they won't be anxious or feel deprived as they grow up. Thanks so much for sharing the article, Jacqueline and thanks for representing us and sending the editor a comment regarding the article. I may do the same cause I just find it so absurd. - Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Exactly, Robin. Why not throw all morals out the window just because you are with friends? It worries me about the bigger picture of what it would teach kids in regard to thinking for themselves, standing up to peer pressure, respecting differences, etc. Sheesh... Jacqueline ------- Re: LA Times article robin koloms <rkoloms Mon, November 09, 2009 2:45 pm Are they going to recommend that when families keep kosher, it is ok for their kids to have a cheeseburger at a friend's house? ________________________________ Jacqueline Bodnar <jb Mon, November 9, 2009 1:26:13 PM RE: LA Times article Denise, I'm glad you found it as ridiculous as I did. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. I think the Vegetarian Resource Group should have someone write a letter to the editor! Since when do non-vegetarians start giving us advice on how to raise our kids vegetarian? Or should I say not raise them vegetarian, which seemed more like the advice in the article. Basically they believe the kids will give into peer pressure, so you might as well let them have it. To that end I say that maybe they should be teaching THEIR children to be more tolerant of those who eat differently than they do and now try to pressure them to be like everyone else. :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it! Jacqueline ------- Re: LA Times article Denise Turner <deniseamay > Mon, November 09, 2009 2:16 pm @gro ups.com Hahaha! That last paragraph in the article just makes me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness! ! Saying that we need to compromise.. . " such as allowing kids to eat meat at friends' houses or restaurants or packing snacks and lunches that look like chicken nuggets or hot dogs but are actually made from soy or wheat gluten. " That is one of the dumbest piece of advice I've ever read! The editor has obviously NEVER been a vegetarian and cannot possibly understand our principle in raising our children vegetarian! He had no sense in writing this article. My children are only toddlers but I talk positively with them about our food choices every day. They already have a sense of pride when we discuss our food and about abstaining from eating beautiful animals. I am confident that they won't be anxious or feel deprived as they grow up. Thanks so much for sharing the article, Jacqueline and thanks for representing us and sending the editor a comment regarding the article. I may do the same cause I just find it so absurd. - Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Jacqueline, I sent a letter to the editor. I was upset with the fact that they never seemed to mention that as a parent you should KNOW where your kids are sleeping over. Which means the parents would know you and your family. I find it hard to believe that this was something so simple, yet not mentioned in such an important article. I must say however my daughter (who was 11 at the time) had gone to her girlfriends to stay over. Her parents knew I did not eat meat, but never imagined my kids didn't either (why would I do that to them!). They made spaghetti with meatballs and meat sauce, so my daughter said she already had dinner. Dessert was ice cream... that poor kid! If that was not bad enough they had french toast and scrambles eggs for breakfast, WITH MILK. Needless to say my daughter called and wanted to come home, she told her friend she didn't feel so good, and I am sure she didn't after not eating all that time LOL. I thought it was clear to them, but now I am sure to tell everyone and not make my children have to go through that again. It doesn't hurt to send them off with vegie treats either. I am very lucky, because most of the children and parents that know us, will actually make vegie friendly foods and some have even bought vegie burgers just for when they go over! How sweet is that? My other question to the editor was, what do we tell the meat eaters who sleep over? Here is your corn flakes and soy/rice/nut milk? Here is a vegie burger with mushrooms? What have their parents taught them in regards to how other people live, eat, and about allergies, differences et? It is so much easier to teach your children at a young age, to be tolerant of others and that people are so very different in many ways. Is is funny you said about our kids teaching them about slaughterhouses!! I guess once my daughter, Tiffany, (the one who starved herself a day and a half), had realized she was 'special' and people still liked her, she should tell people why not to eat meat. WHAT A NIGHTMARE LOL . I explained people learn that on their own, in their own way. I gave her credit for sharing, but a few of the girls in cheer do NOT eat meat any more. She had them go to web sites showing slaughtering, and a few of those girls (with parental permission) went to a local rescue with us. After petting the pigs and watching them do tricks, getting licks from the cows, and seeing how wonderful animals are, I think it just made them understand a little more about Tiffany and they love her for it. SO Denise.. there is some peer pressure, but really what is there NOT peer pressure about? They could be meat eaters, dress like the crowd, but have an 'out of date hair cut'. Teaching them difference, tolerance, and to believe in themselves is the best way to avoid the stress of PP. Glad I had time to get online today! Dayle Coutu _Keep Us Purring_ (http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/CT183.html) TNR and Adoption Services *~* PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE COLCHESTER DOG PARK *~* (http://www.colchesterct.gov/Pages/ColchesterCT_BComm/PRC/dog_park/dog_park) http://www.colchesterct.gov/Pages/ColchesterCT_BComm/PRC/dog_park/dog_park Mom to the following Colchester Cougars: Kristen Cates ~ A Squad Tiffany Cates ~ A Squad Sebastian Coutu ~ B Squad To Boy Wonder ~ Laken & The Tiny Tots ~ Abby & Wyatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Wow! What a odd article. Would they recommend a letting Jewish, Muslim, or Seventh Day Adventist child eat pork at a friend's house just to " fit in? " That is one of the most ridiculous things I've read. Honestly, to " avoid resentment " as suggested in the article, we could extend that to all sorts of things (smoking, drinking, violent video games, etc). This reminds me of the time CBC Radio (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) had a segment on milk. They brought in a woman for the pro-milk side and just read some stuff off of nomilk.com for the anti-milk side. As it turns out the woman they brought in was affiliated with the milk marketing board. They never disclosed her connections. Boy did they ever receive scathing calls about that one!! To their credit, they redid the whole segment and had a live person for the anti-milk side and someone different for the pro-milk side. Paula , " Jacqueline Bodnar " <jb wrote: > > Hello all, > > I wanted to share an article I saw online in the LA Times today > regarding raising vegetarian children. I wasn't very happy with it, > considering they suggest that parents allow their kids to eat meat at > their friends house. I have just wrote a letter to the editor explaining > that for may of us it is an ethical principle and we stand up to ethics, > rather than give into peer pressure (among other things that I said). > Anyway, please take a moment to read the article and I have provided the > info to send a letter to the editor if you feel inclined to do so. > > Article: > http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-vegetarian-kids-conflict9-2009nov09\ ,0,3159659.story > > Letters to the editor need to be under 150 words, and you must include > your contact info (name, address, city, state, phone number - will not > be printed though). Send them to: letters > > Parents raising their kids to be vegetarian need support and advice. I > don't know about you all, but to me this is not helpful. Rather than > offer ways to help kids understand why they are being raised that way, > they minimize it and make unsavory suggestions. > > Thank you, > Jacqueline > www.vegblogger.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 Here is my letter to the editor -- Dear Sir, I am truly appalled at the lack of understanding of this author, as if parents were simply choosing a different clothing color or type of car. Being vegetarian is a way of walking through this world on a chosen ethical path. It is not a whim nor is it undertaken lightly. Kids have to learn to say no to sex, drugs, and a host of other dangerous activities. We undervalue their abilities when we say that it is to hard to make these tough choices and advise them to compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Dayle, Great points! Especially about the going to friends' houses. I certainly want to know where my kids are at and I would think that their parents will know we are vegetarian going into it. I feel for your kid, the friends sure served up a lot of unhealthy food! Thanks for everyone's feedback on this! Thanks also for writing the editor. Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Excellent, thank you! ------- Re: LA Times article " myfaithiseternal " <casagalore Tue, November 10, 2009 11:58 am Here is my letter to the editor -- Dear Sir, I am truly appalled at the lack of understanding of this author, as if parents were simply choosing a different clothing color or type of car. Being vegetarian is a way of walking through this world on a chosen ethical path. It is not a whim nor is it undertaken lightly. Kids have to learn to say no to sex, drugs, and a host of other dangerous activities. We undervalue their abilities when we say that it is to hard to make these tough choices and advise them to compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 What we've done is to order a cheese pizza with anything that the kids want and (our) pizza (crust, sauce and veggies). It's amazing how many veggies go down that way. On Behalf Of keepuspurring Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:45 AM re: LA Times article Jacqueline, I sent a letter to the editor. I was upset with the fact that they never seemed to mention that as a parent you should KNOW where your kids are sleeping over. Which means the parents would know you and your family. I find it hard to believe that this was something so simple, yet not mentioned in such an important article. I must say however my daughter (who was 11 at the time) had gone to her girlfriends to stay over. Her parents knew I did not eat meat, but never imagined my kids didn't either (why would I do that to them!). They made spaghetti with meatballs and meat sauce, so my daughter said she already had dinner. Dessert was ice cream... that poor kid! If that was not bad enough they had french toast and scrambles eggs for breakfast, WITH MILK. Needless to say my daughter called and wanted to come home, she told her friend she didn't feel so good, and I am sure she didn't after not eating all that time LOL. I thought it was clear to them, but now I am sure to tell everyone and not make my children have to go through that again. It doesn't hurt to send them off with vegie treats either. I am very lucky, because most of the children and parents that know us, will actually make vegie friendly foods and some have even bought vegie burgers just for when they go over! How sweet is that? My other question to the editor was, what do we tell the meat eaters who sleep over? Here is your corn flakes and soy/rice/nut milk? Here is a vegie burger with mushrooms? What have their parents taught them in regards to how other people live, eat, and about allergies, differences et? It is so much easier to teach your children at a young age, to be tolerant of others and that people are so very different in many ways. Is is funny you said about our kids teaching them about slaughterhouses!! I guess once my daughter, Tiffany, (the one who starved herself a day and a half), had realized she was 'special' and people still liked her, she should tell people why not to eat meat. WHAT A NIGHTMARE LOL . I explained people learn that on their own, in their own way. I gave her credit for sharing, but a few of the girls in cheer do NOT eat meat any more. She had them go to web sites showing slaughtering, and a few of those girls (with parental permission) went to a local rescue with us. After petting the pigs and watching them do tricks, getting licks from the cows, and seeing how wonderful animals are, I think it just made them understand a little more about Tiffany and they love her for it. SO Denise.. there is some peer pressure, but really what is there NOT peer pressure about? They could be meat eaters, dress like the crowd, but have an 'out of date hair cut'. Teaching them difference, tolerance, and to believe in themselves is the best way to avoid the stress of PP. Glad I had time to get online today! Dayle Coutu _Keep Us Purring_ (http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/CT183.html) TNR and Adoption Services *~* PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE COLCHESTER DOG PARK *~* (http://www.colchesterct.gov/Pages/ColchesterCT_BComm/PRC/dog_park/dog_par k) http://www.colchesterct.gov/Pages/ColchesterCT_BComm/PRC/dog_park/dog_park Mom to the following Colchester Cougars: Kristen Cates ~ A Squad Tiffany Cates ~ A Squad Sebastian Coutu ~ B Squad To Boy Wonder ~ Laken & The Tiny Tots ~ Abby & Wyatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Sweet! http://www.vegblog.org/archive/2009/11/09/is-this-vegan/ Pauline Vegemight jb Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:26:13 -0700 RE: LA Times article Denise, I'm glad you found it as ridiculous as I did. I was hoping I wasn't the only one. I think the Vegetarian Resource Group should have someone write a letter to the editor! Since when do non-vegetarians start giving us advice on how to raise our kids vegetarian? Or should I say not raise them vegetarian, which seemed more like the advice in the article. Basically they believe the kids will give into peer pressure, so you might as well let them have it. To that end I say that maybe they should be teaching THEIR children to be more tolerant of those who eat differently than they do and now try to pressure them to be like everyone else. :-) Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it! Jacqueline ------- Re: LA Times article Denise Turner <deniseamay Mon, November 09, 2009 2:16 pm Hahaha! That last paragraph in the article just makes me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness!! Saying that we need to compromise... " such as allowing kids to eat meat at friends' houses or restaurants or packing snacks and lunches that look like chicken nuggets or hot dogs but are actually made from soy or wheat gluten. " That is one of the dumbest piece of advice I've ever read! The editor has obviously NEVER been a vegetarian and cannot possibly understand our principle in raising our children vegetarian! He had no sense in writing this article. My children are only toddlers but I talk positively with them about our food choices every day. They already have a sense of pride when we discuss our food and about abstaining from eating beautiful animals. I am confident that they won't be anxious or feel deprived as they grow up. Thanks so much for sharing the article, Jacqueline and thanks for representing us and sending the editor a comment regarding the article. I may do the same cause I just find it so absurd. - Denise _______________ Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://windows.microsoft.com/shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.