Dealing with questions from non veggie step kids

[arlina1]

This weekend my 11 year old step daughter caught on to the fact that I have been cooking no meat and not eating meat. She asked me in a sandwich store as I was asking the sandwich maker to load up my sandwich with cucumbers and sprouts why I was not getting meat on my sandwich.

I was caught unprepared for the question. :|

I told her that I had converted to vegetarianism. After we were in the car she asked me why. I told her we would discuss it with her father.

Now what? My reasons are 1) animal welfare 2) health I know the subject will come up again.

My boyfriend has been very supportive but has been adamant that he does not want his kids eating an all vegetarian diet. I am afraid if his daughter knows all my reasons she will want to try it causing friction my relationship. This is such a sticky situation.

Anybody else in this situation or been in it?

[zoebird]

well, i think that you do need to talk to your boyfriend about the child's honest questions and how he wants you to handle those questions. i think that the way you handled it in this instance was great, considering you don't have any ground rules yet.

but, i also think you need to tell your bf that you're not interested in avoiding questions completely--because that could make for an uncomfortable relationship between you and the step-kids.

[thebelovedtree]

11 is old enough to decide how you're going to eat (I for instance decided to go vet @11 :)), I would talk to your boyfriend about how he wants questions answered, make it clear that you're not trying to convert his children and also make it clear that you're not going to make your step daughter feel like she is having something hidden from her. I don't really know what his big fear about them going veg is, maybe you could talk about that too?