Will kids raised vegetarian later want to eat meat

[Guest guest]

The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends are not

vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being raised

vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through many

of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is vegetarian

probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push their

beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the decision

to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs. Therefore,

you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to cope

in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

vegan food all the time and they love it.

Debra

[Guest guest]

I agree wholeheartedly, Debra (by the way: Hi, Debra!). I think that

starting a vegan support network four ourselves in Chicago was a great

investment toward my son remaining a vegan. He has a community of peers and

children he can look up to who live the same way we do, even if he doesn't

know any at camp or at his preschool. It's given him a broadened perspective

that there are other vegan children out there, and he is able to celebrate

holidays with his friends in a vegan fashion. There are sometimes more than

thirty children at our monthly potlucks and at least as many parents; it is

a tremendously empowering, fulfilling thing. I encourage anyone to try to

even get one or two families together with yours to help foster a veg*n

community where you live. I understand that VegFamily.com now is allowing

people to post playgroups on their message board again, so that's a great

place to start.

 

All the best,

 

Marla Rose

 

> The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

> want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

> mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

> raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends are not

> vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being raised

> vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through many

> of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

> insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is vegetarian

> probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

> want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

> non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

> own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

> said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

> household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push their

> beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the decision

> to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs. Therefore,

> you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

> manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

> that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

> many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to cope

> in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

> vegan food all the time and they love it.

> Debra

>

>

> For more information about vegetarianism, please visit the VRG website at

> http://www.vrg.org and for materials especially useful for families go to

> http://www.vrg.org/family.This is a discussion list and is not intended to

> provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a

> qualified health professional.

>

> edical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health

> professional.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with you completely about expressing to your children why you are

vegetarian. My older daughter is almost eight and certainly has given much

thought on her own to vegetarianism and often comes to us with excellent

questions. I am so proud of her.

 

The part that strikes me when I read some emails is that everyone seems to be

able to find other vegetarians in their area WITH CHILDREN. I searched and I

searched for other families raising vegetarian kids, anyone within an hour of

us. I cannot find anyone. I believe there is a woman at a local health food

store whose family is basically veg, however she does not seem to think it's

important to have her children meet other veg children. As my daughter gets

older I can see how much that would mean to her - she has asked me to find other

veg kids. We have gotten her a veg penpal from the Vegetarian Society, but at

her age that just doesn't quite do it; and the girl is in England.

 

Any ideas you can give me on finding those other veg souls out there would be

greatly appreciated. They must be out there, they're just hiding. Wisconsin

isn't the easiest place to find them.

 

Thanks!

Jill

 

Debra Wasserman <debra wrote:

The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends are not

vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being raised

vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through many

of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is vegetarian

probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push their

beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the decision

to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs. Therefore,

you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to cope

in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

vegan food all the time and they love it.

Debra

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks Debra and everyone for sharing their personal experiences with

this issue. I really believe it depends on the child. It's

ultimately their decision what they choose to eat when they are out

in the world. My kids

have no desire to eat meat after being raised veg for 12 and 16

years. My 16.5 year-old boy acts like he doesn't take much seriously

on the

outside and pretends that he isn't veg for compassionate reasons,

takes the devils advocate on everything (read argumentative His

parents are not an authority on anything according to him... Yet he

still will not eat meat. He told me a few months ago that he isn't

vegan anymore and he doesn't think it's a good diet for kids (he

thinks he's too skinny compared to other kids -- he's 5'9'' and 125ish

lbs which I think is perfectly fine... Debra? He's all lean muscle

and plays competitive soccer and looks normal compared to those other

fit kids),

but he certainly appears to be mostly vegan as far as I can see

(from what he chooses in restaurants and other people's homes).

 

So there you go: the perspective from the parent of an obstinate,

hungry and picky teen who has been raised veg

 

Tracy

 

On Jul 18, 2007, at 6:34 AM, Debra Wasserman wrote:

 

> The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

> want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

> mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

> raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends

> are not

> vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being

> raised

> vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through

> many

> of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

> insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is

> vegetarian

> probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

> want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

> non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

> own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

> said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

> household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push

> their

> beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the

> decision

> to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs.

> Therefore,

> you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

> manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

> that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

> many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to

> cope

> in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

> vegan food all the time and they love it.

> Debra

>

>

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

My kids (12 and 16) do not have any vegetarian friends, nor are they

really interested in finding them (for some unknown reason).

I tried joining a veg kids groups etc. when they were younger and

going to the events was NOT popular. Oh well! But like

I said before, they are both steadfastly veg!

 

Tracy

 

 

 

On Jul 18, 2007, at 9:41 AM, ben wenzel wrote:

 

> I agree with you completely about expressing to your children why

> you are vegetarian. My older daughter is almost eight and certainly

> has given much thought on her own to vegetarianism and often comes

> to us with excellent questions. I am so proud of her.

>

> The part that strikes me when I read some emails is that everyone

> seems to be able to find other vegetarians in their area WITH

> CHILDREN. I searched and I searched for other families raising

> vegetarian kids, anyone within an hour of us. I cannot find anyone.

> I believe there is a woman at a local health food store whose

> family is basically veg, however she does not seem to think it's

> important to have her children meet other veg children. As my

> daughter gets older I can see how much that would mean to her - she

> has asked me to find other veg kids. We have gotten her a veg

> penpal from the Vegetarian Society, but at her age that just

> doesn't quite do it; and the girl is in England.

>

> Any ideas you can give me on finding those other veg souls out

> there would be greatly appreciated. They must be out there, they're

> just hiding. Wisconsin isn't the easiest place to find them.

>

> Thanks!

> Jill

>

> Debra Wasserman <debra wrote:

> The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

> want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

> mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

> raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends

> are not

> vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being

> raised

> vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through

> many

> of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

> insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is

> vegetarian

> probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

> want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

> non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

> own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

> said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

> household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push

> their

> beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the

> decision

> to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs.

> Therefore,

> you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

> manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

> that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

> many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to

> cope

> in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

> vegan food all the time and they love it.

> Debra

>

>

[Guest guest]

How far are you from Madison? It is a hotbed of vegetarians and other radicals.

 

ben wenzel <jillben2005 wrote: I agree with you

completely about expressing to your children why you are vegetarian. My older

daughter is almost eight and certainly has given much thought on her own to

vegetarianism and often comes to us with excellent questions. I am so proud of

her.

 

The part that strikes me when I read some emails is that everyone seems to be

able to find other vegetarians in their area WITH CHILDREN. I searched and I

searched for other families raising vegetarian kids, anyone within an hour of

us. I cannot find anyone. I believe there is a woman at a local health food

store whose family is basically veg, however she does not seem to think it's

important to have her children meet other veg children. As my daughter gets

older I can see how much that would mean to her - she has asked me to find other

veg kids. We have gotten her a veg penpal from the Vegetarian Society, but at

her age that just doesn't quite do it; and the girl is in England.

 

Any ideas you can give me on finding those other veg souls out there would be

greatly appreciated. They must be out there, they're just hiding. Wisconsin

isn't the easiest place to find them.

 

Thanks!

Jill

 

Debra Wasserman <debra wrote:

The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends are not

vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being raised

vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through many

of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is vegetarian

probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push their

beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the decision

to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs. Therefore,

you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to cope

in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

vegan food all the time and they love it.

Debra

 

 

[Guest guest]

You could checking into activities organized by vegetarian religious groups.

SDA's do weekly or monthly potluck socials, as well as hare krishnas. I'm not

sure about hindi but they may as well. They are generally welcoming of everyone

regardless of your religious leaning. But it'd be a good way to meet vegs at

least initially.

Renee

 

ben wenzel <jillben2005 wrote:

I agree with you completely about expressing to your children why you

are vegetarian. My older daughter is almost eight and certainly has given much

thought on her own to vegetarianism and often comes to us with excellent

questions. I am so proud of her.

 

The part that strikes me when I read some emails is that everyone seems to be

able to find other vegetarians in their area WITH CHILDREN. I searched and I

searched for other families raising vegetarian kids, anyone within an hour of

us. I cannot find anyone. I believe there is a woman at a local health food

store whose family is basically veg, however she does not seem to think it's

important to have her children meet other veg children. As my daughter gets

older I can see how much that would mean to her - she has asked me to find other

veg kids. We have gotten her a veg penpal from the Vegetarian Society, but at

her age that just doesn't quite do it; and the girl is in England.

 

Any ideas you can give me on finding those other veg souls out there would be

greatly appreciated. They must be out there, they're just hiding. Wisconsin

isn't the easiest place to find them.

 

Thanks!

Jill

 

Debra Wasserman <debra wrote:

The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends are not

vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being raised

vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through many

of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is vegetarian

probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push their

beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the decision

to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs. Therefore,

you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to cope

in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

vegan food all the time and they love it.

Debra

 

 

[Guest guest]

Poke around in your homeschooling community. In my area, there are not

many veg types that don't homeschool as well.

 

Steph

 

" We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means

doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case,

the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. "

C.S. Lewis

 

 

On

Behalf Of Tracy Childs

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 1:49 PM

 

Re: Will kids raised vegetarian later want to eat

meat

 

My kids (12 and 16) do not have any vegetarian friends, nor are they

really interested in finding them (for some unknown reason).

I tried joining a veg kids groups etc. when they were younger and

going to the events was NOT popular. Oh well! But like

I said before, they are both steadfastly veg!

 

Tracy

 

On Jul 18, 2007, at 9:41 AM, ben wenzel wrote:

 

> I agree with you completely about expressing to your children why

> you are vegetarian. My older daughter is almost eight and certainly

> has given much thought on her own to vegetarianism and often comes

> to us with excellent questions. I am so proud of her.

>

> The part that strikes me when I read some emails is that everyone

> seems to be able to find other vegetarians in their area WITH

> CHILDREN. I searched and I searched for other families raising

> vegetarian kids, anyone within an hour of us. I cannot find anyone.

> I believe there is a woman at a local health food store whose

> family is basically veg, however she does not seem to think it's

> important to have her children meet other veg children. As my

> daughter gets older I can see how much that would mean to her - she

> has asked me to find other veg kids. We have gotten her a veg

> penpal from the Vegetarian Society, but at her age that just

> doesn't quite do it; and the girl is in England.

>

> Any ideas you can give me on finding those other veg souls out

> there would be greatly appreciated. They must be out there, they're

> just hiding. Wisconsin isn't the easiest place to find them.

>

> Thanks!

> Jill

>

> Debra Wasserman <debra <debra%40vrg.org> > wrote:

> The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

> want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

> mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

> raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends

> are not

> vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being

> raised

> vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through

> many

> of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

> insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is

> vegetarian

> probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

> want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

> non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

> own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

> said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

> household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push

> their

> beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the

> decision

> to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs.

> Therefore,

> you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

> manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

> that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

> many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to

> cope

> in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

> vegan food all the time and they love it.

> Debra

>

>

[Guest guest]

We've been going to an SDA church and they have weekly meals. All vegetarian. I

try not to make a pig of myself, but you know... it's just tough not to with all

that good food!! There are a few little kids like mine too. It's really nice to

have other vegetarians around. Weird thing, as it turns out THREE of our

neighbors used to be vegetarian. One stopped because while she was pregnant her

doctor was stupid and said she'd be endangering the baby if she didn't eat meat.

Grr. But we can actually eat with them and she knows what " vegetarian " means and

isn't grossed out by veggie burgers or whatever.

 

Renee Carroll <renecarol25 wrote:

You could checking into activities organized by vegetarian religious groups.

SDA's do weekly or monthly potluck socials, as well as hare krishnas. I'm not

sure about hindi but they may as well. They are generally welcoming of everyone

regardless of your religious leaning. But it'd be a good way to meet vegs at

least initially.

Renee

 

ben wenzel <jillben2005 wrote:

I agree with you completely about expressing to your children why you

are vegetarian. My older daughter is almost eight and certainly has given much

thought on her own to vegetarianism and often comes to us with excellent

questions. I am so proud of her.

 

The part that strikes me when I read some emails is that everyone seems to be

able to find other vegetarians in their area WITH CHILDREN. I searched and I

searched for other families raising vegetarian kids, anyone within an hour of

us. I cannot find anyone. I believe there is a woman at a local health food

store whose family is basically veg, however she does not seem to think it's

important to have her children meet other veg children. As my daughter gets

older I can see how much that would mean to her - she has asked me to find other

veg kids. We have gotten her a veg penpal from the Vegetarian Society, but at

her age that just doesn't quite do it; and the girl is in England.

 

Any ideas you can give me on finding those other veg souls out there would be

greatly appreciated. They must be out there, they're just hiding. Wisconsin

isn't the easiest place to find them.

 

Thanks!

Jill

 

Debra Wasserman <debra wrote:

The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends are not

vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being raised

vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through many

of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is vegetarian

probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push their

beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the decision

to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs. Therefore,

you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to cope

in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

vegan food all the time and they love it.

Debra

 

[Guest guest]

I found some on (where this site is) and also I've seen a lot of

things on meetup.com - not sure if you tried those, but I'd guess that would

be somewhere to start. On meetup.com, if there's not one in your area, start

one, and see - you might be surprised to find others looking, too.

 

I think I found our local group from here, about the same time I found one

on the meetup site for our area. It turns out the other one has very few

kids, but they recommended the one we joined (we had some vegi friends who

just moved to our area, and they were looking and found a bunch of things

they were going to try out to find friends and vegi peers for their son).

 

Those are my suggestions. The lady that started the group we go to monthly

was in your position several years ago, and really wanted to find others,

and just started up the group - I think she's on here - (Hi, Marla!). I was

about to when I was looking and not quite finding what i was looking for.

 

Missie

 

On 7/18/07, ben wenzel <jillben2005 wrote:

>

> I agree with you completely about expressing to your children why you

> are vegetarian. My older daughter is almost eight and certainly has given

> much thought on her own to vegetarianism and often comes to us with

> excellent questions. I am so proud of her.

>

> The part that strikes me when I read some emails is that everyone seems to

> be able to find other vegetarians in their area WITH CHILDREN. I searched

> and I searched for other families raising vegetarian kids, anyone within an

> hour of us. I cannot find anyone. I believe there is a woman at a local

> health food store whose family is basically veg, however she does not seem

> to think it's important to have her children meet other veg children. As my

> daughter gets older I can see how much that would mean to her - she has

> asked me to find other veg kids. We have gotten her a veg penpal from the

> Vegetarian Society, but at her age that just doesn't quite do it; and the

> girl is in England.

>

> Any ideas you can give me on finding those other veg souls out there would

> be greatly appreciated. They must be out there, they're just hiding.

> Wisconsin isn't the easiest place to find them.

>

> Thanks!

> Jill

>

> Debra Wasserman <debra <debra%40vrg.org>> wrote:

> The question about whether or not a child raised vegetarian will later

> want to eat meat, was a great question. I'm surprised that no one

> mentioned how important it is for parents to find other children being

> raised vegetarian. My son is now 9 and most of his close friends are not

> vegetarian; however, he has always known several other kids being raised

> vegetarian and therefore knows he's not alone. Sam has gone through many

> of the stages others have mentioned on this list. For a long time he

> insisted we not tell anyone at school, camp, etc. that he is vegetarian

> probably because he didn't want to appear different. He also did not

> want us to tell other parents that we are directors of a vegetarian

> non-profit group (VRG). Now that he's older and more confident in his

> own beliefs, he himself lets others know he's vegetarian and why. That

> said, parents should continue to explain why they are a vegetarian

> household. I've met parents who feel that they don't want to push their

> beliefs on their children. The problem is, once you've made the decision

> to raise your child veggie, you are expressing your beliefs. Therefore,

> you must explain why you eat only veggie food in an age appropriate

> manner. Today, Sam thinks killing animals is insane and I'm confident

> that he has his own strong reasons for feeling this way. Since he has

> many non-vegetarian friends, he's already learned on his own how to cope

> in a meat-eating world. He even gets all is non-veggie friends to eat

> vegan food all the time and they love it.

> Debra

>

>