Guest guest Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Yesterday in school my second grade daughter had her first experience with a peer being negative about her vegetarianism. At lunch a boy that she has been friends with since kindergarten overheard that she is a vegetarian (which she does not keep a secret and was surprised he didn't know) and he said " you're a vegetarian? I would never be friends with a vegetarian. " And he picked up his lunch and moved away from her and her other friends. I know his parents are hunters (like everyone that we've met in the town), but they have always been respectful of me (at least to my face) and I of them. It just scares me a little to think of what may be yet to come. How have your children dealt with these things? I often feel like I'd like to pick up and move to a bigger city where perhaps we won't be such an oddity....for my kids sake. Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Kids can be moody and mean. Are you sure this isn't just some sort of phase the little boy was going through where he just felt like being mean to your daughter that day? Some kids will just find a reason, " I am not sitting by you because you are wearing purple, or your hair is brown, etc. " I just remember a lot of that silliness when I was growing up, but have yet to experience with my son. And if he really does feel that he cannot be friends with her because she is a vegetarian, then better to find out now than later. All you can do is hope she does not sink to his level - and help her to talk to him about being his friend whenever he is ready to be friends again because she can accept him for being different from herself or her own family. You may want to talk to her about how she feels about him not wanting to be friends now to make sure she does not feel pressured to change her values. Help her understand that she cannot control other people and how they feel, all she can do is control her own reaction - maybe do some role playing if she feels she is being " attacked " for being vegetarian. Then if a situation comes up at school again, she has an arsenal of verbal defenses and feels better prepared. Just my 2 cents... Susan On 3/27/08, jillben2008 <jillben2008 wrote: > > Yesterday in school my second grade daughter had her first experience > with a peer being negative about her vegetarianism. At lunch a boy > that she has been friends with since kindergarten overheard that she is > a vegetarian (which she does not keep a secret and was surprised he > didn't know) and he said " you're a vegetarian? I would never be > friends with a vegetarian. " And he picked up his lunch and moved away > from her and her other friends. > I know his parents are hunters (like everyone that we've met in the > town), but they have always been respectful of me (at least to my face) > and I of them. It just scares me a little to think of what may be yet > to come. > How have your children dealt with these things? > I often feel like I'd like to pick up and move to a bigger city where > perhaps we won't be such an oddity....for my kids sake. > > Jill > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 where do you live? we live in utah and practically everybody we meet hunts. it's hard to find like-minded parents here not only in terms of dietary habits but in terms of any number of alternative choices...my children are only 3 and 1 but my son is in his father's class in a waldorf school; lots of the families in this school are " alternative, " and some of them are vegetarian or vegan. finding that alternative community has been hugely important as far as maintaining some stability in the midst of s uch a firmly-entrenched mainstream. i don't know how we'll deal with it when our kids receive unpleasant treatment for their veganism...sadly, for us, they'll probably receive that most of all from " well-meaning " " family. " chandelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Wow! We live in big city and have never had an issue about vegetarianism. You can not change anyone's mind, so don't try. It would be best to build a network of like-minded people as a strong support system, especially for your daughter - you do not want her to feel like an oddball (unless she is the kind of kid who would be proud to be an oddball). jillben2008 <jillben2008 wrote: Yesterday in school my second grade daughter had her first experience with a peer being negative about her vegetarianism. At lunch a boy that she has been friends with since kindergarten overheard that she is a vegetarian (which she does not keep a secret and was surprised he didn't know) and he said " you're a vegetarian? I would never be friends with a vegetarian. " And he picked up his lunch and moved away from her and her other friends. I know his parents are hunters (like everyone that we've met in the town), but they have always been respectful of me (at least to my face) and I of them. It just scares me a little to think of what may be yet to come. How have your children dealt with these things? I often feel like I'd like to pick up and move to a bigger city where perhaps we won't be such an oddity....for my kids sake. Jill Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Would you think it is appropriate to talk to his parents? I would want to know if my kids acted that way. My kids have never had anyone treat them badly because they are vegetarian. Most of their friends think it is cool. Some even said they were going to become veg, but they caved after just a day or two. Barb _____ On Behalf Of jillben2008 Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:58 AM kids in school Yesterday in school my second grade daughter had her first experience with a peer being negative about her vegetarianism. At lunch a boy that she has been friends with since kindergarten overheard that she is a vegetarian (which she does not keep a secret and was surprised he didn't know) and he said " you're a vegetarian? I would never be friends with a vegetarian. " And he picked up his lunch and moved away from her and her other friends. I know his parents are hunters (like everyone that we've met in the town), but they have always been respectful of me (at least to my face) and I of them. It just scares me a little to think of what may be yet to come. How have your children dealt with these things? I often feel like I'd like to pick up and move to a bigger city where perhaps we won't be such an oddity....for my kids sake. Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I´m so sad to hear that. My sun is in pre-school , so I still don´t know that part. But (in my experience) I think kids are mean to each others, or it is what they eat or not eat, or the way they look, or how they talk, or how they walk, or where they come from. So I don´t think is because she is a vegetarian, it is just because she is diferent. I used to live in a small town when i was a kid, and it is more complicated than in a big city, that´s for sure. (in that aspect at least) Just tell your dougther to feel proud of who she is. because all the rest, doesn´t really matters. >Hope things get better. kisses Carmen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 I would want to know too, but I know a lot of parents who get very deffensive when you accuse little Johnny of being anything less than perfect. If the treatment becomes really bad, you may want to instead of contacting the parents directly, involve the teacher. That way you are on neutral ground. Susna On 3/27/08, Barb Deggans <bdeggans wrote: > > Would you think it is appropriate to talk to his parents? I would want > to > know if my kids acted that way. > > My kids have never had anyone treat them badly because they are > vegetarian. > Most of their friends think it is cool. Some even said they were going to > become veg, but they caved after just a day or two. > > Barb > > _____ > > <%40> [ > <%40>] On > Behalf Of jillben2008 > Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:58 AM > <%40> > kids in school > > Yesterday in school my second grade daughter had her first experience > with a peer being negative about her vegetarianism. At lunch a boy > that she has been friends with since kindergarten overheard that she is > a vegetarian (which she does not keep a secret and was surprised he > didn't know) and he said " you're a vegetarian? I would never be > friends with a vegetarian. " And he picked up his lunch and moved away > from her and her other friends. > I know his parents are hunters (like everyone that we've met in the > town), but they have always been respectful of me (at least to my face) > and I of them. It just scares me a little to think of what may be yet > to come. > How have your children dealt with these things? > I often feel like I'd like to pick up and move to a bigger city where > perhaps we won't be such an oddity....for my kids sake. > > Jill > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Hello to my fellow Utahn! Where in Utah do you live? My son will be entering kindergarten this year, but we live in Sugarhouse (pretty liberal) so I think he'll be okay with other kids and being vegan. I would tell my child if they were in that situation to have a witty comeback ready, " Wow, that's too bad that you won't be my friend because I don't eat meat. I'm willing to be your friend even though you kill animals. " Good Luck! Katie : earthmother213: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:42:32 -0600Re: kids in school where do you live? we live in utah and practically everybody we meethunts. it's hard to find like-minded parents here not only in terms ofdietary habits but in terms of any number of alternative choices...mychildren are only 3 and 1 but my son is in his father's class in a waldorfschool; lots of the families in this school are " alternative, " and some ofthem are vegetarian or vegan. findingthatalternativecommunityhasbeenhugelyimportantasfar as maintaining some stability in the midst of suchafirmly-entrenchedmainstream.idon'tknowhowwe'lldealwithitwhenourkidsreceiveu\ npleasanttreatmentfortheirveganism...sadly,forus,they'll probably receive that most of all from " well-meaning " " family. " :(chandelle[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] _______________ Watch “Cause Effect,” a show about real people making a real difference. Learn more. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Good luck with this! We home school, but plenty of my kids' friends are in traditional school and one or two of them will say things, but my 8 year old is comfortable in his veganism and takes it in stride. My 3 year old son doesn't seem to notice when people say stuff. We are the hang out for all the neighbor kids and I make sure to have lots of yummy healthy vegan snacks. Most of the kids love to eat at our house and we usually have someone here for lunch or dinner a couple times a week. Maybe invite the child over for dinner or send your child to school with some veg treats to share. We are lucky because most of our friends and several other home school families are veg. Maybe try to start a veg group in your area? Good luck!! Linda http://triballife.net/ A Marketplace for a Better Worldhttp://veganlinda.blogspot.com/ Katie Norris <norris929 Friday, March 28, 2008 10:21:40 AM RE: kids in school Hello to my fellow Utahn! Where in Utah do you live? My son will be entering kindergarten this year, but we live in Sugarhouse (pretty liberal) so I think he'll be okay with other kids and being vegan. I would tell my child if they were in that situation to have a witty comeback ready, " Wow, that's too bad that you won't be my friend because I don't eat meat. I'm willing to be your friend even though you kill animals. " Good Luck! Katie : earthmother213: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:42:32 -0600Re: kids in school where do you live? we live in utah and practically everybody we meethunts. it's hard to find like-minded parents here not only in terms ofdietary habits but in terms of any number of alternative choices...mychildren are only 3 and 1 but my son is in his father's class in a waldorfschool; lots of the families in this school are " alternative, " and some ofthem are vegetarian or vegan. findingthatalternativecommunityhasbeenhugelyimportantasfar as maintaining some stability in the midst of suchafirmly-entrenchedmainstream.idon'tknowhowwe'lldealwithitwhenourkidsreceiveu\ npleasanttreatmentfortheirveganism...sadly,forus,they'll probably receive that most of all from " well-meaning " " family. " :(chandelle[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] _______________ Watch “Cause Effect,†a show about real people making a real difference. Learn more. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 hi katie! we're in SLC, around 900S and W. temple. so we're not too far from you. we used to spend a lot of time in sugarhouse, actually, before they tore all the good stuff down. such a shame. maybe we should do a playdate. i would love to have more vegan friends! oh yeah, and the kids too. chandelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Holy cow.....so I'm not the only vegetarian in the state of Utah after all! :-) Aside from a few immediate family members, I've met exactly ONE vegetarian here in the last year. Kristen (Sandy) , Katie Norris <norris929 wrote: > > Hello to my fellow Utahn! Where in Utah do you live? My son will be entering kindergarten this year, but we live in Sugarhouse (pretty liberal) so I think he'll be okay with other kids and being vegan. > I would tell my child if they were in that situation to have a witty comeback ready, " Wow, that's too bad that you won't be my friend because I don't eat meat. I'm willing to be your friend even though you kill animals. " > Good Luck! > Katie > > > : earthmother213: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:42:32 - 0600Re: kids in school > > where do you live? we live in utah and practically everybody we meethunts. it's hard to find like-minded parents here not only in terms ofdietary habits but in terms of any number of alternative choices...mychildren are only 3 and 1 but my son is in his father's class in a waldorfschool; lots of the families in this school are " alternative, " and some ofthem are vegetarian or vegan. findingthatalternativecommunityhasbeenhugelyimportantasfar as maintaining some stability in the midst of suchafirmly- entrenchedmainstream.idon'tknowhowwe'lldealwithitwhenourkidsreceiveun pleasanttreatmentfortheirveganism...sadly,forus,they'll probably receive that most of all from " well-meaning " " family. " :(chandelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 yeah, we've converted my BIL and his wife, which is great because we can do holiday dinners together and nobody gets grossed out or offended by what's being eaten. but other than that we really don't know too many veg*ns...there are a few families at my husband's/son's waldorf school that are veg but we don't know them well enough to " hang out " yet. and we get a lot of pressure from family to at least feed meat and other crap to our kids; we don't really trust them not to feed our kids a lot of sugar and crap when we're not right on top of them preventing it, and they treat us like we're so cruel for it...it's hard to be veg in utah, for sure!! chandelle On Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 1:54 PM, Kristen <Ladybug810 wrote: > Holy cow.....so I'm not the only vegetarian in the state of Utah > after all! :-) Aside from a few immediate family members, I've met > exactly ONE vegetarian here in the last year. > > Kristen (Sandy) > > <%40>, Katie > Norris <norris929 > wrote: > > > > > Hello to my fellow Utahn! Where in Utah do you live? My son will > be entering kindergarten this year, but we live in Sugarhouse > (pretty liberal) so I think he'll be okay with other kids and being > vegan. > > I would tell my child if they were in that situation to have a > witty comeback ready, " Wow, that's too bad that you won't be my > friend because I don't eat meat. I'm willing to be your friend even > though you kill animals. " > > Good Luck! > > Katie > > > > > > : earthmother213: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:42:32 - > 0600Re: kids in school > > > > where do you live? we live in utah and practically everybody we > meethunts. it's hard to find like-minded parents here not only in > terms ofdietary habits but in terms of any number of alternative > choices...mychildren are only 3 and 1 but my son is in his father's > class in a waldorfschool; lots of the families in this school > are " alternative, " and some ofthem are vegetarian or vegan. > findingthatalternativecommunityhasbeenhugelyimportantasfar as > maintaining some stability in the midst of suchafirmly- > entrenchedmainstream.idon'tknowhowwe'lldealwithitwhenourkidsreceiveun > pleasanttreatmentfortheirveganism...sadly,forus,they'll probably > receive that most of all from " well-meaning " " family. " :(chandelle > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Hi Jill. I was raised a vegan and raise my children vegan. Like you, I also have a daughter in the second grade. Children are curious and sometimes it may be hurtful. I was asked many questions and at times " teased " from schoolmates growing up (and back then I was probably the " only " vegan). Different has made me who I am. Nowadays there are so many options available. Growing up is tough, but this is just one of the many things that children have to endure. More importantly I'm secure in knowing that my daughter is living a healthy lifestyle. Also, the more I educate my daughter about why we choose a vegan lifestyle the more empowered and confident she is. Once she stands up for her beliefs she should be fine. That is a life skill that I have passed on the my children. , " jillben2008 " <jillben2008 wrote: > > Yesterday in school my second grade daughter had her first experience > with a peer being negative about her vegetarianism. At lunch a boy > that she has been friends with since kindergarten overheard that she is > a vegetarian (which she does not keep a secret and was surprised he > didn't know) and he said " you're a vegetarian? I would never be > friends with a vegetarian. " And he picked up his lunch and moved away > from her and her other friends. > I know his parents are hunters (like everyone that we've met in the > town), but they have always been respectful of me (at least to my face) > and I of them. It just scares me a little to think of what may be yet > to come. > How have your children dealt with these things? > I often feel like I'd like to pick up and move to a bigger city where > perhaps we won't be such an oddity....for my kids sake. > > Jill > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 I think taking it to the parents is a fool's errand, since Junior almost certainly got his opinion about vegetarians from them. There is a lot of prejudice in the world. So many people aren't comfortable with anyone who is different from them. The only thing you can do is help your child feel strong and happy about being a vegetarian, and thus better able to withstand the inevitable peer pressure and cruelty. Good luck! Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 I've been meaning to write and thank you all for your responses to my original post about the little boy who told my daughter he wouldn't be her friend because she's vegetarian. I particularily like the idea of her telling him that she is still his friend even though he kills animals. Good one. Unfortunately there is no way that she would say that to someone (yet), but maybe I will. I also really appreciate hearing from the person who was raised vegan. That is a perspective that I have not often heard. My daughter is very strong in her beliefs, however she is generally too nice to even defend herself if it may hurt others. That may change. Some of that may be because of the conflict our vegetarianism has caused with my brother. Sad. Anyway, yesterday she was telling me about school and how this same boy wouldn't stop talking to her and they got in trouble from the teacher. So, I suppose he's gotten over her being a vegetarian. Jill , " Vicki Thompson " <vickthompson wrote: > > We absolutely LOVE our Montessori school. Being Ovo-lacto you would > probably have less conflicts. We really hadn't had any concern until > deciding to eliminate dairy from our diet. Montessori curriculum contains > an area in the younger years called Practical life. Here the children learn > to do a number of household type things from dusting and scrubbing > activities, cutting and pouring activities, etc. As far as non vegetarian > friendly activities would mostly consist of slicing cheese, spreading some > type of spread (that may or may not be vegan), pouring milk, etc. I haven't > heard about any activities involving leather, beeswax or felting etc. I > would be mostly sensitive to leather. I don't necessarily object to beeswax > and as a spinner, knitter, etc I use wool myself (although I try to each the > source.) The older children do learn weaving, knitting and crocheting but > so far they have been using acrylic yarn. Montessori schools will all have > their own policy regarding lunch. Our school insists on a fairly healthy > lunch. They don't insist on vegetarian however all children must bring a > natural lunch. Nothing artificial, pre-packaged processed, etc. > > > > > > I am not sure what you mean by " misuse " religion. Maria Montessori was a > Christian and some of her original writing on education reflect this. Our > Montessori school is a Christian school as well. But when we were visiting > schools we found that the large majority of them are non-sectarian, secular > schools. We really had to search for one that was Christian. It really > depends on the Head of School and how she/he wants to school to be run. I > would imagine it would also depend on your community. > > > > Hope that helps. We love Montessori and incorporate many of the concepts > into our own home. If you have any other questions I would be happy to > share what I know. > > > > Vicki > > > > _____ > > On > Behalf Of Lorraine > Monday, March 31, 2008 1:16 PM > > RE: Re: Re: kids in school > > > > Hi Vicki, > We're looking into Montessori for our child in the next year or two > (Mommy-and-me program in the next year, kindergarten in 2 years), so I'd > be very interested in hearing anything that is non-vegetarian in > Montessori. We're lacto-ovos, so I'm fine with cheese slicing or even > beeswax stuff (like mentioned in the Waldorf discussion), but things > with leather or fur or felt or wool will be an issue for me, if they > exist. We're also being careful to choose a school that doesn't misuse > religion within Montessori curriculum, and would really prefer a > vegetarian-only lunch policy . . . but hey, what do I want, the moon and > the stars, too? :-) We're in southern California, but it still is > tough finding a school we like, within reasonable driving distance. > Anyway, any input you might have, or anyone else might have, on the > vegetarian-friendliness or not, of Montessori schools would be grand! > Thanks!! > Lorraine > > > @gro <%40> ups.com > [@gro <%40> ups.com] > On > Behalf Of Vicki Thompson > Monday, March 31, 2008 9:54 AM > @gro <%40> ups.com > RE: Re: Re: kids in school > > I am new to this group having been pretty much just reading posts and > soaking it all in the last week or so. I have been a veggie for a long > time, however as a family we are just starting to make the transition > from > Vegetarians to Vegans. My children (9,7, and 5) go to a Montessori > school > and as we were asked to pick up carrots and Ranch Dressing for the > children's snack time this week, I realized how difficult this > transition > is when comes to the school. Montessori also has " non-vegan " aspects to > their curriculum as well. Cheese slicing in the " practical life " center > jumps to mind immediately but I know that if I think about there are > other > aspects will surface. Since this transition for us is fairly new, (and > since we have yet to figure out some alternatives and how to get some > products completely out of our diets ourselves) I haven't addressed it > with > the school yet. I am interested in how other parents deal with these > challenges as well. > > Vicki > > _____ > > @gro <%40> ups.com > [@gro <%40> > ups.com] On > Behalf Of Paige > Sunday, March 30, 2008 2:29 PM > @gro <%40> ups.com > RE: Re: Re: kids in school > > Chandelle, > > I would love to get in touch with you outside of the group via email to > discuss Waldorf challenges as a vegan. My five year old is at a Waldorf > school, which we love, but as a vegan I do have some struggles with the > felting, beeswax and other items and activities that are integrated into > the > Waldorf lifestyle and curriculum. I am wondering how you deal with some > of > the challenges. > > Please contact me if you are interested in discussing. > > gosstucker@roadrunn <gosstucker%40roadrunner.com> er.com > > Paige > > _____ > > @gro <%40> ups.com > [@gro <%40> > ups.com] > On > Behalf Of chandelle' > Saturday, March 29, 2008 7:03 AM > @gro <%40> ups.com > [Norton AntiSpam] Re: Re: kids in school > > yeah, we've converted my BIL and his wife, which is great because we can > do > holiday dinners together and nobody gets grossed out or offended by > what's > being eaten. but other than that we really don't know too many > veg*ns...there are a few families at my husband's/son's waldorf school > that > are veg but we don't know them well enough to " hang out " yet. and we get > a > lot of pressure from family to at least feed meat and other crap to our > kids; we don't really trust them not to feed our kids a lot of sugar and > crap when we're not right on top of them preventing it, and they treat > us > like we're so cruel for it...it's hard to be veg in utah, for sure!! > > chandelle > > On Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 1:54 PM, Kristen <Ladybug810 (AT) (DOT) > <Ladybug810%40> com> wrote: > > > Holy cow.....so I'm not the only vegetarian in the state of Utah > > after all! :-) Aside from a few immediate family members, I've met > > exactly ONE vegetarian here in the last year. > > > > Kristen (Sandy) > > > > @gro <%40> > ups.com > <%40>, Katie > > Norris <norris929@> > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Hello to my fellow Utahn! Where in Utah do you live? My son will > > be entering kindergarten this year, but we live in Sugarhouse > > (pretty liberal) so I think he'll be okay with other kids and being > > vegan. > > > I would tell my child if they were in that situation to have a > > witty comeback ready, " Wow, that's too bad that you won't be my > > friend because I don't eat meat. I'm willing to be your friend even > > though you kill animals. " > > > Good Luck! > > > Katie > > > > > > > > > @: earthmother213@: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:42:32 - > > 0600Re: kids in school > > > > > > where do you live? we live in utah and practically everybody we > > meethunts. it's hard to find like-minded parents here not only in > > terms ofdietary habits but in terms of any number of alternative > > choices...mychildren are only 3 and 1 but my son is in his father's > > class in a waldorfschool; lots of the families in this school > > are " alternative, " and some ofthem are vegetarian or vegan. > > findingthatalternativecommunityhasbeenhugelyimportantasfar as > > maintaining some stability in the midst of suchafirmly- > > entrenchedmainstream.idon'tknowhowwe'lldealwithitwhenourkidsreceiveun > > pleasanttreatmentfortheirveganism...sadly,forus,they'll probably > > receive that most of all from " well-meaning " " family. " :(chandelle > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 *Some of that may be because of the conflict our vegetarianism has caused with my brother.* would you be willing to share the details of this conflict? we're having bigger and bigger problems with family lately and i feel so lost as to how to deal with them. chandelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 Unfortunately I'm sure I wouldn't be any help. The same problem just keeps presenting itself in slightly different ways. Basically my brother seems to think that I've created a conspiracy against him. I guess the final hit was after my mom accompanied me to a Peta conference and announced that she no longer would eat meat other than fish (I don't let her call herself a vegetarian, though I am so proud of her.) I am so fortunate that my other two siblings have also converted (both to veganism). Now in my immediate family we are the majority. All of this makes my brother VERY defensive about his own " beliefs " . Basically the subject of meat/vegetarianism or anything regarding such is not allowed to be spoken in front of him. He has a very hot temper and many times things will end with him yelling/threatening. The sad part is that his two boys are very, very close to my two older girls. They adore each other and he knows that. Everything is fine unless meal time rolls around and we're all still together. One time my older daughter (without me even knowing, I swear) created a macaroni and cheese club (yes, she likes to invent clubs) with the boys before a meal, so that was all the boys would eat. My brother clearly believed I put her up to...and sheesh, how would the boys get their protein for that meal???? Another time he left my daughter's birthday party because I was not ordering pizza with meat on it. (I'm vegan, but the girls are vegetarian.) Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I no longer allowed dairy into my house. wow. Anyway, it all adds up to a very touchy, tip-toey relationship. I don't know what to do about it. There was a time when I could talk to my brother, but not anymore. That was a time when he had an ounce of repect for me. The strangest thing is he told me once that he met someone else who was veg...and I'm sure he was very nice to that person and acted like he simpathized. hmm The truth is that it hurts my mom and the kids the most. On a side note I would like to put the word out to anyone who hears of a Peta conference in their area. We're in Wisconsin, but went to one in Illinois. I find it hard to believe that anyone could leave one without going veg. Btw, I generally do not support Peta because I have become fed up with the tactic of exploiting women " for the animals sake " . I'd run the streets naked if I thought it would help one animal, but I don't think that works in Wisconsin. And I don't want my girls to ever think that the best they can do is protest naked to get people to stop wearing leather. , chandelle' <earthmother213 wrote: > > *Some of that may be because of the conflict our > vegetarianism has caused with my brother.* > > would you be willing to share the details of this conflict? we're having > bigger and bigger problems with family lately and i feel so lost as to how > to deal with them. > > chandelle > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 I once went to a PETA event. The whole " rat is a pig is a dog is a boy " thing totally turned me off. jillben2008 <jillben2008 wrote: Unfortunately I'm sure I wouldn't be any help. The same problem just keeps presenting itself in slightly different ways. Basically my brother seems to think that I've created a conspiracy against him. I guess the final hit was after my mom accompanied me to a Peta conference and announced that she no longer would eat meat other than fish (I don't let her call herself a vegetarian, though I am so proud of her.) I am so fortunate that my other two siblings have also converted (both to veganism). Now in my immediate family we are the majority. All of this makes my brother VERY defensive about his own " beliefs " . Basically the subject of meat/vegetarianism or anything regarding such is not allowed to be spoken in front of him. He has a very hot temper and many times things will end with him yelling/threatening. The sad part is that his two boys are very, very close to my two older girls. They adore each other and he knows that. Everything is fine unless meal time rolls around and we're all still together. One time my older daughter (without me even knowing, I swear) created a macaroni and cheese club (yes, she likes to invent clubs) with the boys before a meal, so that was all the boys would eat. My brother clearly believed I put her up to...and sheesh, how would the boys get their protein for that meal???? Another time he left my daughter's birthday party because I was not ordering pizza with meat on it. (I'm vegan, but the girls are vegetarian.) Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I no longer allowed dairy into my house. wow. Anyway, it all adds up to a very touchy, tip-toey relationship. I don't know what to do about it. There was a time when I could talk to my brother, but not anymore. That was a time when he had an ounce of repect for me. The strangest thing is he told me once that he met someone else who was veg...and I'm sure he was very nice to that person and acted like he simpathized. hmm The truth is that it hurts my mom and the kids the most. On a side note I would like to put the word out to anyone who hears of a Peta conference in their area. We're in Wisconsin, but went to one in Illinois. I find it hard to believe that anyone could leave one without going veg. Btw, I generally do not support Peta because I have become fed up with the tactic of exploiting women " for the animals sake " . I'd run the streets naked if I thought it would help one animal, but I don't think that works in Wisconsin. And I don't want my girls to ever think that the best they can do is protest naked to get people to stop wearing leather. , chandelle' <earthmother213 wrote: > > *Some of that may be because of the conflict our > vegetarianism has caused with my brother.* > > would you be willing to share the details of this conflict? we're having > bigger and bigger problems with family lately and i feel so lost as to how > to deal with them. > > chandelle > > > 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.