Hi, I'm new here & asking lots of questions

[Butterflynjesus]

What do you do when your older kids don't want to be vegan or even vegetarian. I was accused of being a food nazi by my oldest who is 13 today. I became a vegetarian 8 years ago when my then youngest (3rd child, second dd) was a baby. I just became repulsed out of nowhere & eventually couldn't stand any kind of meat. Luckily my DH had a vegetarian Mom & Grandparents so he was used to "different" foods & meat alternatives. The kids did fine. because my two youngest were 1 & 2 and I could control what they ate & told everyone I wanted them to be old enough to understand what eating meat meant before it was given to them. They feared my wrath so they backed off..lol But Josh was 4-5 years old & even though he knew he could never touch ground meats he'd still ask for certain kinds with Dad (non veggie) and Grandparents. As the kids go older the girls even tried chicken etc.

They all eat vegetarian fine at home..and now are putting up with my going vegan. But as soon as they go to a potluck or out to eat they go to order meat. :-( I really thought & hoped that eating veggie would be their way too. I am dreading the summer & holidays this time around because we're going to see family & I know they'll be offered meat & will WANT to accept but I'll be the one trying to shake my head no for a 13, 11 & 10 y/o. I suppose their making their choices but I don't like them..lol

I guess I should be happy they eat vegetarian at least most of the time. Thank God Jake decided on his own he didn't want meat. Ironically while pg with him I craved meat but he's never wanted a thing to do with it. My DH is not a full time vegetarian as he'll occasionally order meat out to eat but knows not to offer it to Jake. He really enjoys our vegetartian eating but I guess wants a steak every few months. He did eat all vegetarian for 2 months and admitted he liked it. (Then tried that stupid atkins diet..long story)

Does anyone else have kids that don't want to be vegans/vegetarians?

Thanks for listening..I'm glad to have found this website. I use to post on a veggie board on a network I CL but it's not as good.

[Erin Pavlina]

It's a lot tougher when the kids are older to do the transition.

Let me ask you this... what have you told them about where meat comes from, it's non-health aspects, and how it effects the environment?

[Butterflynjesus]

Yes, it's getting harder as they get older. Being vegetarian isn't really new to them as we've been a vegetarian household for like I said for 8 years. Being vegan is definitely newer though as I'm trying to move in that direction.

However, I can tell it's not going to go well because they are trying to move away from being vegetarian at all. My oldest DD (almost 11) said "what is the big deal, they're already dead". Now, I told her she knew better & since she was trying to make excuses as to why it should be ok I had her read "meet your meat" from the PETA getting started kit I got years ago.. She seemed to think it was mean but just today asked why we can't go to KFC. Now, at the same time she loves my food & always compliments my cooking. She enjoys our vegetarian tacos, chili, pasta sauce, meatloaf etc. But since she's tasted meat (at school, with relatives, Dad etc) she just has a taste for it. I buy the alternative bacon, sausage etc & she'll eat it & doesn't complain..same with Josh. But at the same time when we're some where they'll lick their lips at the real thing & ask for some. :-(

Michelle doesn't really care for meat & never has. She tried brats at my Aunts & they made her sick. (she threw up on her floor) & one time she tried a hotdog at my other Aunts she almost choked!!!! But lately when she goes out she'll eat chicken strips. She too loves the meat analogs we get but if she goes to a friends house & they have real chicken strips or ham she'll have some. She doesn't do this often but still.

Is it any wonder as to why I avoid eating out?

Getting them to give up real dairy is going to be hard though & that's a new thing for them. They like their scrambled eggs too. I know at their ages though having them change from vegetarian to vegan isn't going to be easy. I'm just wondering why their trying to abandoned ship all together when they've always seemed happy??? The girls used to be grossed out at the site of meat & tell their friends so.

I always said I'd raise them vegetarian and they could make their own choice when they were bigger. But now I'm upset to see they may not want to stay vegetarians! I'm wondering if I can still hold down the fort or if that will make it worse. (trying to rebel more about it)

I didn't see this coming I guess...thanks for your reply. I look forward to more advice and tips. Maybe this is just a slump their in as they are trying to do their own thing & be like their friends? I dunno...

[Erin Pavlina]

At their ages it could definitely have something to do with rebellion and stretching their wings. They also probably really like the taste of meat and don't really care where it comes from.

Sometimes a child will wander away from being vegetarian and then get back to it in college. I would just avoid being preachy, though it sounds like you're not a preachy woman, and continue to offer them meatless alternatives at home.

At the very least your children probably eat healthier than their peers.

What I've heard works well is if your kids are athletic you can point to how a vegan diet will improve their athletic performance. Sometimes works.

Try the compassionate route too... obtain a copy of a video tape called The Witness. It's a great, not too graphic, way of showing people animal suffering. Great video... moved me to tears.

You're in an unenviable position. There may be nothing you can do. When kids reach a certain age they have the opportunity to eat meat, do drugs, have sex, drink alcohol, start smoking, etc. and we as parents can't always do anythign about it.

Keep doing the best you can.