Ask the Editor

My 10 year old daughter has decided to become vegetarian. My problem is she has now decided that she will not use the silverware and the dishes that the rest of the family eats with because we do eat meat. I told her that everything is sterilized in the dishwasher. She has also stated that when we go out to a restaurant she will ask for takeout utensils or bring her own. Help! Is this normal behavior? Is it temporary? I hope she is just testing the water because this is all new to her. I have many friends that are vegetarian and they eat out, etc. Please advise. Thank you. --Anna

Article continues below

Dear Anna,
You know the saying, "There are none so righteous as the newly converted" right? In my experience people who decide to go vegetarian or vegan can get pretty, oh what's the word... over-zealous... at first. She's trying to show you how resolved she is about being a vegetarian. Let her. It's really important to her to know that you respect her decision.

Give her a choice. Tell her she can use her own utensils but that she'll be responsible for washing them herself. Or you'd be happy to put her utensils in the dishwasher with everyone else's. I would also let her take her own utensils to the restaurant too. It's not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.

As she sees you respecting her decision she will lighten up a little. In the meantime, try to see this as a positive; your daughter is growing up and making grown up decisions. Support this aspect of her independence. It could be a lot worse; just wait until she's a teenager!

Sponsors: