Hi all...

This is my first experience with remarks from my child, and it will probably not be the last...

My daughter is now 2 1/2. She eats a hot lunch at daycare. They are very progressive and multicultural, they provide vegetarian meals (actually the lunch is vegetarian 2 days a week for ALL, and on the other days there is a veggie alternative for the kids listed as vegetarian or as "religious exclusive"). They use meat substitutes (quorn, tofu, ...) and pulses. I know the cook personally (her kid is in my daughter's group as well) and we get along great, we even went on outings together and are becoming friends. So far so good.

Of course, not all the children in the group are vegetarian, nor are the caretakers. So the other day, on the way home, my daughter goes "Hanna eat potatoes and meat, well done !" (meaning she ate her lunch and got a compliment from the teacher). Now this is a sentence she probably hears a lot there and which wasn't necessarily addressed to her. I also think the teachers call the meat substitutes "meat" because it is hard to differentiate and explain with 2 year-olds. I mean, I don't think they make her eat real meat, that is not an issue.

But what she said did shock me somehow. I am vegetarian from birth and hearing this out of the mouth of my child - even if it wasn't meant literally - was unsettling. I told her twice that yes, mommy is proud that she ate well, but we (meaning our family) do not eat meat.

I asked my sister - who has 2 older children she raises as vegetarians - how she handled this at the time and she thinks it's way too early to explain that "meat" comes from animals etc... She agreed that what I had said would be enough information for a 2 year-old to process.

Another consequence of this event is that at home, I have started to name whatever I use for a substitute (if at all) specifically as well. I will say "tofu sausage", not "sausage", "veggie balls" and not "meatballs" etc... so we can avoid putting too much stuff into the "meat" category which does not belong there.

What is your experience with this kind of thing ? Any feedback very welcome !

Kim

I also think the teachers call the meat substitutes "meat" because it is hard to differentiate and explain with 2 year-olds.

I think they avoid to call it something else than meat because it would lead to problems.

I don't think it is too early to tell them where meat comes from. I've heard about childern of the age of six that decided to go vegan when they learned where it comes from.

I don't think it is too early to tell them where meat comes from. I've heard about childern of the age of six that decided to go vegan when they learned where it comes from.[/QUOTE]

I agree. But that doesn't mean you should subject her to PETA's tapes of slaughter houses, etc. Take her to a zoo or animal rescue farm and let her enjoy the animals. Quietly and without fanfare, mention that meat comes from these animals and that is what some people eat. Hopefully she'll be saddened, but not overly distraught, and you can use that to explain why you don't eat meat. If she asks why others do, tell her they don't understand or know. Be sure to answer all her questions honestly but remember a two year old doesn't need a dissertation. Very simple and brief answers are enough. If not, she'll keep asking for more information.

PETA and other groups do make children appropriate materials that you may want to look at for future use.

You are very fortunate that you have a daycare situation and people in your life that you trust. Some parents don't have this option and must guard their children around family members and school workers, etc. As long as you trust, don't burden her with mistrust. Teach her as the need arises and let her live as a "normal" kid. The more mainstream she feels, the better I think it reinforces that the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle is normal. Why make her feel different when she doesn't have the resources to stand up for herself yet?

Keep labeling things appropriately. You will have much less confusion and explanations using soymilk, ricemilk, veggie burgers, tofu dogs, vegan cheese (or almond cheese), etc.

Good luck!

I have two daughters. One is 20 months old and the other is almost 4. My oldest started asking questions about meat when she was around two and I told her that it comes from animals. I don't think 2 is too young for a simple explanation. She asked me if it hurts the animals and I told her they had to be killed. I have simply told her that some people think it's wrong to eat animals and some people don't. My husband eats meat so I have tried to keep it simple so as not to confuse her. My mom, one of my best friends, and my SIL are all veg*n so Fiona has been around the concept alot.

It does get confusing since there are so many meat substitutes that look like real meat. Fiona often asks if her hotdog is meat from animals or meat from soy. She also asks if milk is from cows or soy. I just try to keep it simple and answer her questions the best I can.

I have a 3 1/2 year old vegan son and I've tried to be honest with him about why we eat vegan. He knows that meat comes from animals and that he dosen't want to hurt animals. We've asked him before if he wants to eat meat ( not in a judging way) and he's said no (yay!). We stick to veggie names for food. It's never 'milk" it's always "soy milk", ect. He'll now ask us, if he sees someone eating meat, what animal it came from. He'll ask me to make vegan versions of things that are traditionally non-vegan, which I happily do! He always asks if something is vegan before eating. I don't think it's too early to explain your choices for not eating meat to your daughter. Good luck!