The KInd Life Community Forum

How old is your daughter? My seven year old daughter is fully on board with being vegan but I've also told her that in situations where there isn't a vegan option she shouldn't feel guilty about eating a non vegan choice. A few times she's actually taken a bite of meat and thought it was disgusting and I was okay with her trying it. This is just my personal take on it. I would rather her do her be vegan the majority of the time rather than get frustrated and give it all up or feel left out. To be honest, I'd do the same myself. I won't eat meat and whenever it's up to me I don't eat dairy either, however, if there was absolutely no other choice, and I hadn't planned my own meals, I would eat a a piece of pizza and have absolutely no problem with it as it isn't a regular occurrence. This is just my opinion though.

Hello Catgirl and Alicia thank you for your support and encouragement! I had a chat with my daughter Athena, (she 9yrs old) about what's making her cry at school. In a nutshell this is what she said: She wants to vegan but she sometimes misses bacon but that doesn't mean she's going to eat it (I asked her if she wanted to eat some and she said "no mom I'm vegan!" so cool , anyway, when they have special days at school such as pizza day, swiss chalet day, ect she feels left out, different and like an outsider. I'm sure a lot of vegan adults feel that way in many situations,I know I do so I get where she's coming from. The kids aren't picking on her for being vegan but I know she is having problems with them (kids can just be mean for no reason) .She's the kid who stands against the wall of the school at recess because the kids are bullies. Being vegan is just something else that sets her apart from the kids. She's such a sweet girl with a huge heart. I've talked to her teacher about it and she says Athena is really sensitive. I'm really not sure how to help her with this other than telling her that being different is okay and that she's making a difference in the world by the choices she's making. She has to hold her head up high and know the she's an important and special girl. I'm so proud of her for sticking with this, she's really is a cool kid , I wish the other kids at school could see that too.

Alicia, Athena says she's feeling good. I've noticed a big difference in her, she sleeps better, she's less moody and she's never constipated anymore which used to be a problem all the time.

Um, why are they learning to make butter? I don't have kids so I can't give you specific advice, but I did used to teach. The food the majority of kids ate day in and day out was shocking. I would say stay strong, because, even if you leave the ethical side out of it, you know you are helping your daughter to be healthy. She can still enoy vegan ice cream, she can have vegan pizza, you obviously try to help with replacements like that. Leaving eating animals aside, I find it sad that our culture chooses to not eat healthfully. Hey kids, let's have some bread (which was probably white) and butter - really nutritious - and then, the same day!, have some pizza, made with white flour and loads of cheese. It's not just animal products that are the problem, it's all the nutritionally void processed stuff that most people don't see a problem with. I sort of see veganism as a pseudo-religion in a way - for the most part people wouldn't make others feel quite so different if they dressed differently or ate differently or refrained from doing certain things because of their religion - why should your food choices create such a reaction? And what if your daughter had an extreme dairy allergy? I'm sure they would provide something else for her or at least inform you of a pizza party then.

I would say to just keep talking to your daughter and try to keep in mind that, yes, it is about ethics, but it's also about health, and you shouldn't be made to feel bad that you want your child to be a healthy, compassionate person.

I know this is late, but I'm a teacher and taking off time to raise my son. My husband and I have talked for a while about how to make it easy for our son at school, because we know there will be a few challenges. For classroom parties, maybe you can take a little time off work to volunteer in the classroom. Your daughter might feel better if you're there. You can also offer to bring vegan cupcakes or cookies for the class.

You may also be able to give your teacher snacks to keep in the classroom in case there's a celebration you don't know about.

I'd ask your teacher to keep you informed if they are going to be doing any food related activities. If you'd known about the butter, you could have sent her with Earth Balance so she could at least have some bread with everyone. Don't feel bad about making this request. I had to do things like that for kids with food allergies or health issues ALL the time. It's part of the job. You could give her your e-mail so she can send you a quick e-mail through her school e-mail address when a food related activity or party is coming up.

If her teacher is concerned, she should be willing to help make things easier for your daughter.

If something unexpectedly pops up (and it will), I'd let your daughter know that she can always choose to have something, and that you won't be disappointed with her. The older she gets and as she learns more about the great benefits of veganism, the easier it will be for her to feel okay in these situations with her peers.

I hope that helps.

I am vegan and the husband and kid are vegetarian. My daughter is 4 and is totally on board with the vegetarianism because, she never knew any different. She doesn't have dairy or eggs at home now, neither does my husband as I no longer buy it but I don't sweat it if she has a piece of cake at a birthday party or a pizza at school once in a while. The vegetarianism is very accepted around here so that's usually cool and she takes packed vegan lunches into school but as "religious" I am about my vegan life, I am as "unreligious" about it when it comes to her. I know my husband eats crisps when he is at work or the odd candy bar and he is a grown up and it's totally his choice, however, he is at the same time absolutely happy to only have vegan meals and snacks at home.