Intro

[kaz]

Hi! I'm in the UK and I'm a mother of 3 vegan children (boy 10, girl 8 and baby boy 11 months). As a family we have been vegan for over 10 years ( I was vegetarian for 10 years before that) so my kids have always been vegan.

I can't think of much more as an intro - I hope I can participate in discussions!

Kaz

[Erin Pavlina]

Hi Kaz,

Welcome to the boards. Tell us what it's like having older, school-aged children. Are your kids comfortable with being vegan? Are they teased? How does the school and their teachers handle it? I'll bet you can give all of us with young children a glimpse into the future...

[Bette]

Hello Kaz. I find it very encouraging that you've got older vegan children (as lots of other people do, obviously) because I keep getting 'Wait till he gets to school, he'll want to eat what all the other kids are eating and will go behind your back", which I find not particularly helpful. My son is 19 months and very healthy, so I think people like to make problems where there are none, because surely being vegan can't be that easy can it?;)
Where in the UK are you?

[kaz]

I'm in Hampshire. The kids seem to have had very few problems - the school (and playgroup before that) were always good about providing alternative treats etc. and arranging food on a 5 day school trip (that was nerve-wracking!)- they're used to dealing with loads of different dietary needs and have treated my kids being vegan as no different from those kids with allergies or religious diets.
I think that they get occasional comments from friends but they've never wanted to eat meat or dairy and they love their food!

[Bette]

That's great. I took a small step this week and announced our veganism at 'music & movement' and nobody batted an eyelid. In fact, I was supported for making a conscious and positive decision about my son's diet, rather than following the accepted 'wisdom'! I hope I get that reaction everywhere I take him.:)