Ask the Editor

Last week my 4-year-old and I were at a food court at a fair, and my son announced loudly that someone was eating "animals!" I was somewhat embarrassed. How do I explain to him that other people eat meat but that that doesn't make them "bad." He wants to know why his classmates are always bringing turkey sandwiches to school. - Geetha

Deer Geetha,

Since we live in a non-vegan world there are going to be many instances where your child will see other people consuming animal products. We need to teach our children to respect other people's lifestyle choices while reinforcing our own choices and beliefs.

My daughter has asked me why other people eat animals. This is what I've told her: "Not everyone is aware that eating animals hurts them. Not everyone knows how wonderful it is to be vegan... yet. I hope that someday all of the kids in your class are vegan, but until then we need to respect the fact that they are not. In the meantime, you will serve as a wonderful example to them that being vegan is fun and delicious too. And who knows, you might even inspire them to eat more vegan foods or go vegan one day!"

She just loves this idea! She loves being a good example. She is comfortable with the fact that they are not vegan (yet) and is hopeful that one day they will be. She does not judge them. She treats their lack of vegan knowledge the same way she treats her baby brother, "He'll learn someday, right Mommy?" We hope so!

I think it's very important to teach respect for other people's lifestyle choices. I also want my vegan children to know why we've chosen to live as a vegan family so I reinforce the ideas that we are kind to animals and that the animals would thank us for being vegan, if they could.

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