I have been vegetarian pretty much all my life (until I realised the horrific truth that minced beef was chopped up dead cow) and its just been a natural progression for me until now I am very nearly vegan - lactose sneaks in sometimes in packet foods when I'm out but I'm working on it. I breastfed both kids first for 9mths then gave up because of pressure from others, put her on formula, got really bad eczema, put her on soya. The second I breastfed for 21/2 yrs (mostly in secret because of others opinions) and the same happened. Anyway every time my partners mum has them she always gives them milk even though she knows what it does to them and we've told them numerous times. Sometimes she lies and says they've not had anything but its obvious as my sons legs get all sore the next day when they've been at hers. The other issue I've got is that she gives my girl beef for breakfast and has just come back from the farm and taken them to mcdonalds on the way home raving about how good value it is and given my son a milkshake from there (which will make his eczema come up meaning he'll be up half the night scatching) and my daughter a burger. She tried to make him have nuggets but he would'nt. I know shes been brainwashing my 5yr old girl because she comes home saying stuff like "I'm a omnivore and your a herbivore, mum" and she just lied to me & said she had a vegeburger and looked all guilty. When I'm shopping with her I ask her if she really wants me to buy meat and stuff but she always declines but when shes with her she always comes home saying stuff about how she's different from me. When I'm talking to her she shows signs of not wanting to eat meat but if she was at a party or something I wouldn't make an issue about her eating a sausage as much as I'd want to. I just feel like I'm being pushed into a corner and I want her to know why I'm a veggie but I think the truth is too horrific. Last Christmas there was a big issue because she wanted to take the kids to a fox hunt despite being illegal and neither me or my boyfriend wanted then to go - he eats meat but really loves animals- but she got moody and just took my children anyway. To make things worse she's a teacher but she acts really ignorant. She even bought me one of those stuffed cats that are real imported from China or somewhere. When I refused to take it home they thought it was hilarious until I found out that they could give the kids that disease toxo something then she eventually got rid of it. I am so fed up with her. When we were on holiday we were looking for something to eat and their were loads of nice restaurants and I didn't want to eat the chips from mcdonalds as they are fried in animal fat but she just kept going "Iwant a burger!" like a kid when we suggested going somewhere else. Shes 60 for goodness sake. She cuts articles out from her newspapers about veggie children being deficient and thick - despite Einstein being a vegan! My kids are doing great I wish she'd butt out! Aaaargh!!!!!!!! Sorry, this is the first time I've posted but I can't rant to their dad as he gets mad at me now. I feel like telling someone who understands. Thanks guys.