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Kelly Keane Vegan and Meat-Eater Relationship & Parenting
Started
by Kelly Keane
on January 30, 2012
I'm having the same issues here.
My bub is almost one and I had always said to his omni-dad that it was veggie, fruit, and grains only until 1. I think hubby is keen to push the meat angle soon. He is supportive of my choices when they relate to my diet, but feels that I shouldn't "force" my veganism onto bub.
I would like to think that if bub had a choice that he'd want to be veg, but he has 2 older half-siblings (who live with their mum) and I'm worried that he'll just want to eat what they eat.
Initally I said I would be more likely to allow it to happen if all non-vegan products were organic, free range, small farmers, etc, but as the possiblity looms, I'm getting REALLY uncomfortable with the prospect that my little one won't be vegan.
My son was unplanned so my boyfriend and I never discussed it until he was born. i refused to let my son eat animal products after all the research I'd done, plus I wanted to raise a compassionate kid. For me it was not eating animals was an ethical thing but the health benefits were a bonus. My boyfriend didn't want to raise our son vegan because he wanted him to fit in, he was afraid our son would be picked on for his diet - I thought that was ridiculous, if kids want to pick on our son they'll find something to make fun of, whether or not he's vegan. He might even inspire some of his schoolmates to become vegan! I know when I went vegetarian at 10 some of my classmates also tried it, 2 of them are now vegan. I tried to get my boyfriend to read some of the articles and books, but he hates reading so I showed him the documentaries Earthlings and Forks Over Knives. Additionally, I told him if he wants our son to eat meat, dairy and eggs, he would be buying the food AND cooking it (he doesn't cook - he lives off of hotdogs, cheese and tv dinners). It took a while to convince him but he has agreed to raise our son vegan until he is old enough to decide for himself that he doesn't care about animals, the environment or his health!
Now I'm just worried about our family members who don't support my vegan lifestyle trying to sneak him food he's not supposed to have :|
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