If your young child told you

That they didnt want to eat meat anymore because they didnt like how we killed animals to eat them. would you let your kid be a "vegetarian"? would you force them to eat meat? would you consider their feelings and fix them seperate meals from the family?

Quoting ☮ Phuket:" That they didnt want to eat meat anymore because they didnt like how we killed animals to eat them. would ... [snip!] ... "vegetarian"? would you force them to eat meat? would you consider their feelings and fix them seperate meals from the family?"

I would absolutely let Kieran be a vegetarian if he asked to. I thought he was going to a while ago, when I explained to him that the fish we were eating REALLY was dead fish and he was totally weirded out.

I wouldn't make separate meals, I would just make meals easily adapted to 'vegetarian'
I would respect her choice, it won't last long anyway. But I would expect her to eat alternatives protein sources and explain they being a vegetarian involves eating these things.

I would let my child make that decison and I would support them by making them different food at meal times.

I would probably make an appointment with our family DR though because I don't know very many healthy alternatives to meat that I could feed my LO besides peanut butter.

Quoting ☮ Phuket:" That they didnt want to eat meat anymore because they didnt like how we killed animals to eat them. would ... [snip!] ... "vegetarian"? would you force them to eat meat? would you consider their feelings and fix them seperate meals from the family?"

Yes. I may be biased because I am a vegetarian, but I dont like the animals deal FOR ME but dont care what others do as long as you arent eating the family pet, lol. I have ALWAYS been a vegetarian though... I never ate meat. I wouldn't even eat meat baby food. My parents tried for force me because I was so underweight and I would have screaming fits for HOURS as a kid. I just didnt like meat. Didnt drink milk either. So my pedi said to not make me eat it. My Mom had to adapt and make separate meals sometimes, but it's all good.

So now I make meals for me and meals for Lily. I raised her to eat meat and I want her to eat it since shes so little, but if she decided she didnt want to... then cool, I'll let her.

Quoting Manda♥Bella:" I wouldn't make separate meals, I would just make meals easily adapted to 'vegetarian' I would respect ... [snip!] ... But I would expect her to eat alternatives protein sources and explain they being a vegetarian involves eating these things."

I would do this.

My dad let me do it from six on, and I think it helped me learn more about foods and what we put in our bodies, what our bodies need et cetera

I would definitely support a decision like that. I would make different meals that I could add the meat into separately or something, but I wouldn't make entirely different meals. Both my little sisters are vegan and my mom used to buy them vegan meats like Morning Star, so I would do that and make sure they knew they had to have alternative sources of protein.

Quoting Manda♥Bella:" I wouldn't make separate meals, I would just make meals easily adapted to 'vegetarian' I would respect ... [snip!] ... But I would expect her to eat alternatives protein sources and explain they being a vegetarian involves eating these things."

This.

My son is like this. He's a picky eater, and once he heard where meat actually comes from he won't eat it. We already don't eat pork, or beef. We eat a lot of Meatless foods, and his I just make without chicken or Turkey if it has it. So yes I respect the fact that he doesnt want to eat meat.

I would support him.

But instead, my kid goes "mama! Cows are made if steaks!" An gobbles it down.

He named his pet fish sushi. He eats sushi regularly.

I would support it (depending on age and the child) but only if the child was still healthy. And I'd probably make a separate something when there was meat involved with the dinner I was cooking, but sometimes we have meals without meat, anyway.

I'd see if they'd still be willing to eat fish or something, too.

I would respect that, and just make sure that my kid(s) were still getting enough protein. Eggs, etc.

I was that kid.

My mom said " tough cookies, eat your meat. You can be a vegetarian when you are grown up".


Guess who is a vegetarian now?


Conversely, if our kids want to try meat, they can do as they please, but we won't be buying any for them.

Absolutely I would respect their decision to be vegetarian. I would ask their pediatrician for more information on protein supplements so that their health didn't fail, but I would not discourage their beliefs.