New to forum-need advice!

[Cat]

Hello everyone!! I am a vegan mom who is (very slowly!) trying to transition my family to be vegan! They are coming around, but my 6 yr old son starts school in 10 days. The schools have such awful nutrition and since my son absolutely loves the taste of most of it, does anyone have any advice on how to deal with it? I really don't want him to feel left out when they pass out ice cream (among other things!) or when the kids around him are eating school lunches (YUCK!). What about dealing with in-school birthday parties when the other parents bring in pizza or other junk foods? I really don't want him to feel out of place, but I care about him too much to promote eating the SAD diet. I also don't want to come across as the "difficult" parent!! Has anyone been in my shoes that can lend some advice?? THANK YOU!!!

[Erin Pavlina]

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[Sylver]

Hi! You could mention to the teacher you and your son are vegan, and express your concerns about pizza, class treats, parties etc. Then hope the teacher will make an effort to not leave your son out. Maybe you can leave a list of treats that are vegan that way the teacher can be sure to bring those in, or request other parents to bring them in for parties, or you can bring some treats to ensure he has something, so he will not feel left out. You will probably be told in advance about pizza days or hotdog days and all that. This way you could bring in the vegan equivalent (cheese-less, veggie pizza etc.) for your son. I hope this helps! Good luck and take care.

[sarahrose]

I feel your concern. I am the "difficult parent" you spoke of. My advice would be to discuss everything with your son. He may be young, but children his age have a remarkable ability to adapt to change, and to understand problems that would seem to 'old' for them. Try speaking to him from an animal angle. explain that alot of suffering went into that food, and that you love animals too much to support it. My daughter is nearly four now, and I have discussed these issues with her ( leaving out alot of the graphic details that she is too young for, of course) She understands, and I can trust her to not eat the other stuff. I always provide an alternate for her too, so she is never left out. If they are having ice cream at school, I send her with a pint of soy delicious to share. If it's pizza, I send her favorite food for her to eat instead. It can sometimes be difficult, but is really worth it, and kids just love to feel they are saving animals. (especially if they still get to eat appealing food also!)

[tricia]

I think that almost every vegan parent will probably go thru this or close to all... as previously posted talk to your child first and simply explain why you dont want to eat animals... the way i explained it to my 4 1/2 yr old is that we dont eat hamburgers, hot dogs, milk, eggs, etc.. because its not nice to hurt animals... etc... now she tells everyone that "we dont eat that cuz it has animals in it"..lol...simple but effective...

she went to school one day and told her teacher... i did talk with her teacher and explained to her that khaila is not allowed anything with eggs, butter, margarine, meat, etc in it becuz we r vegan..and she was quite understanding...

they just had her halloween party at school and i made alot of vegan cookies...and the teacher did keep an eye out on my daughter but i was told today that khaila knew what products contained animals and which ones didnt... so im happy shes actually listening.... my daughter is the only vegan in her class and she is not alienated at all... some of the parents have been asking me how i do it...and that her diet must be soo limited... and i reply not at all...khaila eats thai food, chinese, mexican , as she puts it "pretend chicken" (she cant say the name), and loves veggie burgers... im still new to veganism so we r learning together and i find it much better... more meals at home... and more meals to make... i think...

[annie7]

I don't think I ever had to pre-plan or cook so much in my life! But the benefits and perks are...soooo worth it!