Raising a Vegetarian Kid: Yes or No?

The following is a personal piece. This is an outlet for parents and individuals who would like to share their stories, in the hope that others will connect and find support. If you have a story you’d like to share, please message us on Facebook or email us at bianca@momof11kids.com.

To raise a child vegetarian or to not raise a child vegetarian… hmm. This seems to be the topic of debate in my house these days. I’m not a Mom, or even a wife yet, but my boyfriend and I discuss marriage and children pretty frequently. We have a plan, and we know what we want (for the most part). We recently had a bit of a quarrel on the topic of raising a vegetarian kid. To some, this sounds extreme. To others… not so much – me included.

If we’re speaking candidly here, I am a vegan and have been for over a year now. It’s a decision that I made for health and ethical reasons, along with a plethora of other reasons. It’s just the way I want to live my life, and I feel good knowing that I am a part of something I feel passionate about. If you’re interested, here are a few fast facts about veganism.

So anyways, vegetarianism and children. I asked Joe if he would mind if I raised our children this way, and yes, he did mind. Oh great, I thought to myself. “No, NOT vegan. Just no meat!” I argued. “Then what will you tell our kids when I am eating meat?” Well, I haven’t thought that far in advance yet, but we will figure something out! “But what if my kid wants to try a piece of chicken? I don’t want to deny them of them.” Okay, yeah. I get it. And if my child asked his Dad for a bite of chicken pot pie, well then fine. But there’s nothing wrong with a veggie pizza vs. a meat lovers pizza. It’s nutritious and delicious!

As the debate progressed, I have to admit, Joe was making some valid points, but I kept at it. I already do not cook meat (Joe is an amazing cook and loves to make his own meals most days, and also enjoys my vegan cooking, lucky for me) and I don’t think I would change that. I would simply make plant-based meals and raise them on that – at least until they are old enough to make their own decisions. Joe started coming around to the idea, but then it got me thinking more and more. What WOULD I do when my kid wanted to try meat? I mean, they have free will to make the choice. It can be a pretty personal choice, right? Then again… when did meat become the “norm?” My head still spins thinking about it.

We finally landed on this: I’ll cook plant-based meals for my family, after all, that is what I thrive on and what nourishes me. I will teach my child kindness and compassion towards all living things. I’ll be honest with my child when they grow older and ask why Mama doesn’t eat chicken. If sweetheart wants to try some chicken noodle soup that Dad made, I won’t take that from them. What am I going to say? “No, sorry. Dad eats bad things.” I couldn’t do that to him, and I wouldn’t do that to him. When my kids grow older, they can decide for themselves. By then, they will have an abundance of knowledge and will see both sides of the story. Either way, I’ll be happy knowing that I could raise my kids as kind and as healthy as possible. I’m not here to force views on anyone – kids or adults – but I do like to share my side of the story and hope to inspire. If this is the way I choose to live, why wouldn’t I live it out with my children, too? I mean, I’m here to be their guide, and I think I should guide them honestly.

Of course, we are still a ways away from kids, so this could change. I’m constantly reading about how others handle this sort of situation, and am open to all input. Is this something that you have experience with/would like advice on? I’d love to get your input. Please do not hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comment section – just remember, please be kind!

Thanks for listening to my thoughts.

-Bianca

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