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When my child starts preschool how do I make sure she isn't given any non-vegan food? We live in Georgia and people here dismiss veganism. Should I tell the school she is allergic to meat and dairy or tell them the truth? - Thanks!

There's a good chapter in my book, Raising Vegan Children in a Non-Vegan World, that addresses school situations in great detail. I recommend that parents talk to their child's teacher and principal and let them know that their child has a dietary restriction, namely that she is vegan, and is not to eat any foods that contain animal products. I suggest you create a list of foods your child can and cannot eat and give a copy to the teacher and/or anyone else that will have contact with your child during an eating period. The teacher should keep the list in the classroom. You should also remind the teacher that if she is out sick to leave a note with the substitute teacher (if possible) about your child's food situation. What I do for my daughter is to bring two Ziploc bags to the teacher; one contains special vegan treats in case there is a birthday party in class where cupcakes or cake is being served, and the other contains snacks like granola bars, raisins, fruit leather, etc. in case she needs an emergency snack.

The reason I don't think you should lie to the teacher is two-fold. First, if the teacher finds out that your daughter is not actually allergic she will feel like you didn't trust her, and she may minimize or make light of your child's true reasons for avoiding meat and dairy products. The second reason is that by telling the truth you have an opportunity to educate people about veganism, and you are paving the way for other vegan children to get respect for their lifestyle.

If your child's teacher dismisses your lifestyle choice then you will need to use empathy to understand her reasons. Reassure your teacher that you will always send your child to school with a packed vegan lunch and that you don't expect her to have to hover over your child to ensure that she is eating only vegan foods. The goal is to make this as easy on the teacher as possible. I think in most cases the teacher will understand and be respectful. I have told my daughter's teachers that although I can't really say she is allergic to meat and dairy products I do know that on the rare occasion when she has accidentally eaten a non-vegan item that she has gotten diarrhea. No teacher wants to deal with that if they can help it.

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