We’ve already mentioned that both of us are mums. Many people ask us whether our kids eat meat.We decided to answer these questions in today’s post on how our not eating meat affects our bringing up kids.
When both of us got pregnant, we already were vegetarians. And to answer your question, Yes, our blood test results were more than perfect :) When we became mums, we had to decide whether our kids are vegetarians or not. But can you decide for someone on something like this or do you leave this decision for them when they grow up?
Both of us believed that the best option was not to impose our way of thinking on our kids. For us, being a vegetarian/vegan means more than not eating animals. What’s important is the awareness, empathy, understanding animal right and respect. All of the above means being vegetarian/vegan. What’s more, is the fact that our husbands eat meat and they also left our kids with the choice - to eat meat or not.
We talk to our kids about the reasons for us becoming vegetarians. Since M. became vegan, she spends more time on discussing these issues with her son. She reads books, written for vegan kids, to her son and tries to introduce more and more plant based products into her son’s diet.
From the very beginning, our kids are taught respect and care for animals.From the very beginning of their lives they have shared their houses with our cats. We try to show them that plant based meals are tasty. And when we cook, they actually don’t have a choice as both of us do not prepare any meat.
However, we deeply believe that the decision to become vegetarian or vegan should be made willingly and independently. We respect families who bring up their kids on plant based diet from the very beginning, especially when thinking about the food that kids come across at kindergarten and school. Of course when both parents are vegetarians/vegans, the decision could be easier and obvious. But as you can see, our relationships are not like this, and compromise is inevitable.
What’s your opinion? Do you think that we should decide for our kids on becoming vegetarians/vegans or should we leave this decision for them when they grow up?
Etykiety: english, lifestyle