Single and childless for now, but...

[LongLashedVeg]

Since becoming vegan, I have put a fair amount of thought into how I would like to raise my future children. Personally, I find the consumption of any animal product totally offputting and can't imagine myself feeding them to my children (I will make sure they are getting the proper nutrition, of course ).

Right now I'm single and living on my own, so I don't have to deal with a significant other who buys non-vegan food. Honestly, just the thought of having non-vegan food in my house creeps me out and life would be so much easier if I were with someone who shared my views, and who wanted to raise his children vegan as well. I haven't been that lucky in love and know that this will make things more challenging in the dating world since vegans are obviously the minority (and most non-vegans think our lifestyle is extreme and weird, at least from what I've seen).

Thoughts?

Thanks for listening. :)

[frenchie]

My advice...don't settle. If it's that important to you, you NEED to find a vegan man. I'm married to an omni, but he's very supportive. Both of our kids are being raised vegetarian. I would love for us to be vegan, but that would be a battle I'm just not willing to fight. I already tried!

[DgyJff]

The more time goes by the more I think that I'll never end up getting married and having kids. I refuse to settle, I will only marry a vegan man. Meaning...chances are slim.

[starflowr]

I agree with not settling. Knowing what your values are and sticking to them is important, especially when considering how you want to raise your children. No one would think you were strange if you didn't feel you could marry someone with completely opposing religious views to your own. I don't think this is any different. There are some things you can compromise on, and some you can't, and you are lucky you are learning what those are before you are in a relationship or have kids.

Now, of course, there are guys who are willing to compromise. My hubby is mostly vegetarian, but not always. We have always agreed to raise the kids completely vegetarian, and now that I am going more and more vegan, they are too. He is supportive of that, just can't quite do it himself.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, maybe you don't need to date only vegans - you could meet an omnivore who is willing to live vegan with you, and indulge his "meat and potatoes" needs when he's at a restaurant or whatever. Just have those conversations before you get in too deep in a relationship - ya know?

[LongLashedVeg]

So, I guess what I'm saying is, maybe you don't need to date only vegans - you could meet an omnivore who is willing to live vegan with you, and indulge his "meat and potatoes" needs when he's at a restaurant or whatever. Just have those conversations before you get in too deep in a relationship - ya know?

I completely understand what you mean and in a perfect world, I would find someone who is willing to do this... but most meat&potato types won't. At the same time, I wouldn't want to force someone to eat a certain way at home either... Anyway, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, but I hope I can find a man who is tolerant and compassionate...

I also agree about not settling. I know so many people who jump from relationship to relationship because they "need" a partner, but they never last because they never knew what they were looking for in the first place. I have a pretty clear idea... I just need to find him, lol.

Thanks for the replies. :)

[DgyJff]

Just to add...I do date omnis. I'm usually willing to give them a chance and I know there are plenty of guys out there who have the potential to become veg*n. But when it comes to actually getting married and having children, that when the "not settling" comes into play.

[LongLashedVeg]

But when it comes to actually getting married and having children, that when the "not settling" comes into play.

Yes, exactly... I'm not looking for a fling, I want a committed relationship leading to marriage and a family, eventually... so this is why I'm thinking about all this.

:)

[rabid_child]

i'm "partnered" to an omni (we're not married, but own a house together.. so.. it's pretty serious :P) and early on, I made it clear that I didn't cook meat, I won't have raw meat in my house, and any children I spawn will be vegetarian until they're old enough to make an informed decision about their diet on their own. He's fine with all of that. He eats a vegetarian diet at home, and eats whatever he wants outside of the home. We do buy deli meat for his lunches at work (which I think is a fine compromise over him going out for fast food, which costs more and is really bad for him), and he has a few cans of soup and boxes of mac and cheese around for when I'm not home, but when I'm cooking, he's eating vegan. I think it's just important to find a good partner and make your expectations clear when things start to get serious so you can decide if you want to back out or not.