Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I have been telling my son, now 3, that we do not eat animals. I have not made any taste reference. I simply tell him we love animals and do not eat them. We have dogs, so he gets it. I have not gotten in to anything more in depth at this point. On Behalf Of Caryn Kluz Thursday, November 08, 2007 2:48 PM What do you tell to a 2 year old??? How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to non-vegetarian's eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 This reminded me of my children last year at Thanksgiving... We did a pretty good job of telling them we don't eat animals, and we also have pets. But I know what you mean about the sensitivity. Last year I did pull my daughter into another room and talk to her about not hurting other people's feelings. That you wouldn't want someone to say that about what you eat, etc. She seemed to keep quiet about the " yucks " for the rest of the day. Even though I could see it on her face. I also tried to keep them busy while the others were eating shrimp cocktail - YUCK! LOL! Your child will pick it up, it sounds like you doing the right things. Good luck to us all around this time! Janeen Caryn Kluz <carynkluz Thursday, November 8, 2007 2:48:03 PM What do you tell to a 2 year old??? How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to non-vegetarian' s eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 My two sons, now 13 and 9, are vegan since birth. We started early with " Animals are our friends, and we don't eat our friends... " Good luck! Lynnea Caryn Kluz <carynkluz wrote: How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to non-vegetarian's eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I have a child that's just over 3 years old and a 16 month old. With the 3 year old I'm just working on getting her to identify what is food and what isn't. For example, I will ask her if she would eat a chicken, pig, slipper, table, apple, etc. And see what she says to each one. For quite a while I would tell her that we are vegetarians, we don't eat animals. Within the last couple of months she's started saying that as well. Now if I ask her playing around " would you eat a turkey? " she responds by saying " no way, I'm a begetarian, I don't eat animals. " It's really cute because she says it with a " b. " But at 2 there's not much you can do, they are too young and won't comprehend it. It just starts with a respect for animals and then as they start to grow you start teaching them that we don't eat animals. I know where you are though - you want to take all your knowledge about vegetarianism and just dump it right into their heads. But at 2 they are just too small and won't understand. It takes time. Even though my daughter will say the right thing in response to me, I don't know that she really " gets it " yet. And I have an experience that makes me think that: One of her favorite shows is the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. One day she was watching it and I never paid attention to the topic. I happen to hit the " info " button near the end of the show and see that it was about Mickey going fishing. I caught the end of the show where he was fishing and feeding it to the cat. She saw that show once and now she'll say she wants to go fishing! Eek. I tell her that fishing hurts fish and ask her " do you want to hurt a fish? " and she'll say " no way. " But again she'll say " let's get a pole and go fish. " She doesn't understand the connection and with only seeing that show one time (that I know of, she could have seen it before I ever saw the subject matter) the info stuck. Now anytime she watches it I check to see the topic that day and avoid the fishing one each time (they play it probably every other week?). And why would they have a mouse hurting a fish anyway in a child's show??? Anyway, my point is to go slow, teach them to respect animals, start teaching them the word vegetarian and it will all come in time. They just need time to absorb it all. Sorry this is so long, I've probably lost some people at this point...but it's something I'm going through at the moment as well. Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 P.S. I forgot to add that I also try to get the kids a lot of vegetarian/animal friendly books and videos. Like one of her favorite books is Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving, which has a great vegetarian message. I am building a collection of such books/videos and try to show her those. That way I think (and hope) it will help reinforce the vegetarian and animal respect message I want them to learn. Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 We don't make a big deal of it here yet, in fact it hasn't even come up yet with my three year old. I would think the less deal you make of it the less likely your two year old will make a big deal of it. Maybe if you ignore the Yuck comments they will go away. and I'm not so sure a non-vegetarian would be super offended with a 2 year old saying " we don't eat chicken, yuck " if it happens to come out. Two year olds can get away with a little more than an older child who should know better. Good luck! hilary , " Caryn Kluz " <carynkluz wrote: > > > How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his > favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how > to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to > non-vegetarian's eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, > yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). > any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 great books I would suggest: Herbert the pudge (depends on how sensitive the child is, might be a tad descriptive for a two year old) twas the night before thanksgiving a turkey for thanksgiving victor the vegetarian and victor's picnic with the vegetarian animals (not the best stories or illustrations,BUt lots of simplified info for little ones- my son LOVED them when he was aboout 2-4) - Caryn Kluz<carynkluz < > Thursday, November 08, 2007 2:48 PM What do you tell to a 2 year old??? How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to non-vegetarian's eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 Emphasizing compassion for animals has been the way to go for us, but also talking about all the other issues too. I think relating to animals is so natural for kids and hard for them to forget those bonds when they grow up. Health, gen env. issues, religion etc is too abstract when they are young and also easier to rebel against as a teen. When you've personally " met " a cow, pig, chicken etc and feel like you can have a relationship it's a lot harder to think of them as food. another great kids book with a veg message Perfect the Pig Peace, D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 also, you can describe others as " omnivores " so that it is evident that there are multiple categories of food choices, not just meat eating as the assumed normal and " vegetarian " as the only one's needing a label. we don't use carnivore to describe people because it is not accurate. when our son was young he would ask people if they were an omnivore or a vegetarian, (which was an honest non threatening opportunity for folks to stop and think about what they eat). except that he would say omniGore which privately I thought was pretty funny - since meat eating is so gory and also Al Gore was running for pres at the time and he was everywhere - Omni Gore. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I have tried with my daughter - she is 12 now and eats meat (outside the house). I refuse to buy or cook meat. She has seen horrific videos and I have asked her if she think's this is what God put animals on the earth for, and she tells me no - but she still eats meat. I think a lot of it has to do with family members and her friends eating meat. She likes the taste and is capable of putting the bad thoughts out of her head (like most people). I could use some advice, but right now I think my only option is to pray and hope her conscience bothers her so much at some point she will stop...... Linda danitamark wrote: Emphasizing compassion for animals has been the way to go for us, but also talking about all the other issues too. I think relating to animals is so natural for kids and hard for them to forget those bonds when they grow up. Health, gen env. issues, religion etc is too abstract when they are young and also easier to rebel against as a teen. When you've personally " met " a cow, pig, chicken etc and feel like you can have a relationship it's a lot harder to think of them as food. another great kids book with a veg message Perfect the Pig Peace, D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 Hi Linda, I'd like to throw out a different perspective, without starting a war. I am not an animal-lover; part of my personal philosophy is " feed people, not pets " . I initially stopped eating meat in the '70s. My number one reason was because it is an extremely inefficient food source; more than eight million people die from starvation each year, 3/4 are children under five. Nearly half of the grains raised in the US are fed to animals; a 10% cut in meat consumption would free up enough grains to wipe out world hunger (if we could figure out how to get the grains to the hungry). Now we have the well documented data showing how meat contibutes to global warming and the deterioration of our environrment. Robin Linda Cobban <l12mcmanus wrote: I have tried with my daughter - she is 12 now and eats meat (outside the house). I refuse to buy or cook meat. She has seen horrific videos and I have asked her if she think's this is what God put animals on the earth for, and she tells me no - but she still eats meat. I think a lot of it has to do with family members and her friends eating meat. She likes the taste and is capable of putting the bad thoughts out of her head (like most people). I could use some advice, but right now I think my only option is to pray and hope her conscience bothers her so much at some point she will stop...... Linda danitamark wrote: Emphasizing compassion for animals has been the way to go for us, but also talking about all the other issues too. I think relating to animals is so natural for kids and hard for them to forget those bonds when they grow up. Health, gen env. issues, religion etc is too abstract when they are young and also easier to rebel against as a teen. When you've personally " met " a cow, pig, chicken etc and feel like you can have a relationship it's a lot harder to think of them as food. another great kids book with a veg message Perfect the Pig Peace, D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 Linda, I'm so sorry, that must be very difficult for you. Has she been around many farm animals up close and personal, say, thru visiting an animal sanctuary to do volunteer work on a regular basis? -especially with opportunities to touch and feed the animals. it's amazing to see people respond when the animals respond to a back scratch, belly rub or hand feeding of some apples, carrots, piece of bread etc. I was wondering if that would help. Peace, D >Linda Cobban <l12mcmanus >Nov 9, 2007 5:09 PM > >Re: What do you tell to a 2 year old??? > >I have tried with my daughter - she is 12 now and eats meat (outside the house). I refuse to buy or cook meat. > > She has seen horrific videos and I have asked her if she think's this is what God put animals on the earth for, and she tells me no - but she still eats meat. I think a lot of it has to do with family members and her friends eating meat. She likes the taste and is capable of putting the bad thoughts out of her head (like most people). > > I could use some advice, but right now I think my only option is to pray and hope her conscience bothers her so much at some point she will stop...... > > Linda > >danitamark wrote: > Emphasizing compassion for animals has been the way to go for us, but also talking about all the other issues too. I think relating to animals is so natural for kids and hard for them to forget those bonds when they grow up. > >Health, gen env. issues, religion etc is too abstract when they are young and also easier to rebel against as a teen. When you've personally " met " a cow, pig, chicken etc and feel like you can have a relationship it's a lot harder to think of them as food. > >another great kids book with a veg message > >Perfect the Pig > >Peace, > >D > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 I don't know if scare tactics really work in keeping children from eating meat. A couple of years ago, I tried horrifying my older son into not eating meat by showing him how gross it looked and also pictures of animals being led to the slaughter, but my plan backfired when he asked me to buy a package of red meat and cried bloody murder when I told him " NO " ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 I have a 3 year old and we got her " Herb, the vegetarian dragon " book about a year ago. We refer to non-vegetarians as meat eaters. But she will boldy say, we're vegetarians we don't eat meat. She doesn't add the " yuck " , so it's not too offensive to others. But I wouldn't be too hard on her if she did - after all I wrinkle my nose at the smell of dead animals. , " Caryn Kluz " <carynkluz wrote: > > > How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his > favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how > to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to > non-vegetarian's eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, > yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). > any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 You guys are awesome! I don't know any vegi families around here, so it really helps to hear that other people are going through (or have went through) the same thing. Thanks! , danitamark wrote: > > also, you can describe others as " omnivores " so that it is evident that there are multiple categories of food choices, not just meat eating as the assumed normal and " vegetarian " as the only one's needing a label. > > we don't use carnivore to describe people because it is not accurate. > > when our son was young he would ask people if they were an omnivore or a vegetarian, (which was an honest non threatening opportunity for folks to stop and think about what they eat). > > except that he would say omniGore > > which privately I thought was pretty funny - since meat eating is so gory > > and also Al Gore was running for pres at the time and he was everywhere - Omni Gore. > > D > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 hello, I am vegan and so is my 2.5 yr old. My DH and 11yr are meat eaters. From the beginning I just told him that we don't drink cow milk, eat eggs or eat animals. We have 2 dogs and him loves animals and thinks it's pretty silly to eat animals. Asking him if he eats animals would be the same as asking if he could eat a car... It's just silly to him. I constantly read labels and now he askes " have no milk in it? " Funny story. We were taking a walk and he saw a cool purple bug and said " Momma I eat purple bug it have no milk in it okay? " I just started laughing and said that we can't eat the purple bug, his family will be sad and they will miss him... " he understood and we watched the bug crawl away. My son has recently started wanting " turkey " sandwiches like his brother so I bought him some veggie slices. He loves them! He askes for the turkey with no cows in it!. I just smile... He might be a little mixed up but at least he understands. Christine , " Caryn Kluz " <carynkluz wrote: > > > How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his > favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how > to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to > non-vegetarian's eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, > yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). > any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 It's this stuff that made me think of starting a kid's group. The funny thing is that the study of ancient 'poop' (yeah, okay, stop laughing) tells us that our ancestors really ate alot of bugs! Why would you endanger your life chasing huge animals when there's other stuff available? It was the occurence of the ice ages that caused humans to have no choice but to eat meat. As my daughter got older and went to school and stuff she became curious about what the other people were eating and wanted to do it, too. She now is way worse than I am! She asks for the book of ingredients all the time in restaurants! LOL but we had to suffer through alot of events with potluck dinners and stuff where people get offended, why? but they do; and we could only eat our own food and stuff. So anyway, go ahead and eat your bugs! NOT eeoo christinepensa <christinepensa wrote: hello, I am vegan and so is my 2.5 yr old. My DH and 11yr are meat eaters. From the beginning I just told him that we don't drink cow milk, eat eggs or eat animals. We have 2 dogs and him loves animals and thinks it's pretty silly to eat animals. Asking him if he eats animals would be the same as asking if he could eat a car... It's just silly to him. I constantly read labels and now he askes " have no milk in it? " Funny story. We were taking a walk and he saw a cool purple bug and said " Momma I eat purple bug it have no milk in it okay? " I just started laughing and said that we can't eat the purple bug, his family will be sad and they will miss him... " he understood and we watched the bug crawl away. My son has recently started wanting " turkey " sandwiches like his brother so I bought him some veggie slices. He loves them! He askes for the turkey with no cows in it!. I just smile... He might be a little mixed up but at least he understands. Christine , " Caryn Kluz " <carynkluz wrote: > > > How do I explain the vegetarian thing to my 2 year old? One of his > favorite phrases is " we don't eat chicken, yuck " , but I don't know how > to REALLY explain it to him, and also how to instill a sensitivity to > non-vegetarian's eating habits (like not saying " we don't eat turkey, > yuck " at the family thanksgiving table). > any suggestions? or good reading on the topic? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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