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halisa
adore
Member since 7/06 2168 total posts
Name:
lisa
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question for pregnant vegetarians
i haven't eaten any meat for many, many years. i still eat fish (a long complicated personal decision that was more for health reasons rather than animal rights). anyway, now that i am pregnant i am debating how i want to raise my children in terms of eating meat.
i feel torn because it was a decision i made on my own when i was older, just like changing my religious beliefs or anything else that was different from my childhood. i feel like my parents exposed me to many different things and supported me (for the most part) when i challenged/changed what they typically did. so i feel like by just cutting out all meat from my children's lives before they even know what it's like isn't totally fair.
any thoughts on this?
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Posted 12/30/06 8:39 PM  |
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randella
Love my little man
Member since 8/05 16290 total posts
Name:
Randi
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
I am not pregnant-- but I am a vegetarian and have thought about this a lot.
DH is not a veggie-- but I plan to try to raise my kids veggie more for convenience sake. There are lots of things out there if you know how to eat that will give them protein.
That being said-- if they want some meat, I am not going to deny them. It's more about me cooking and feeding them.
My niece was just here and for some reason my SIL did not bring food for her-- we made her a veggie burger and she has eaten them before and loves them.
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| Posted 12/30/06 9:53 PM |
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
We are both vegan. We will raise our children vegetarian - not vegan, and he/she can make the decision on what he/she wants to do when older.
EVERY child is raised with their parents' own beliefs. This is no different. The important thing is to honor their decisions when they get older, as long as they are well informed and healthy.
I feel that meat is not healthy, and there are many other sources of protein. But, our kids are going to go to birthday parties where there will be ice cream and cake, and no kid should miss out on that.
We are hoping to raise our kids understanding why we are vegan. But, if our children still want to eat meat or whatever, they are free to do so. Organic meat, of course!
Message edited 12/30/2006 10:03:53 PM.
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| Posted 12/30/06 10:02 PM |
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rose825
Best Friends
Member since 6/05 10228 total posts
Name:
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by lipglossjunky73
We are both vegan. We will raise our children vegetarian - not vegan, and he/she can make the decision on what he/she wants to do when older.
EVERY child is raised with their parents' own beliefs. This is no different. The important thing is to honor their decisions when they get older, as long as they are well informed and healthy.
I feel that meat is not healthy, and there are many other sources of protein. But, our kids are going to go to birthday parties where there will be ice cream and cake, and no kid should miss out on that.
We are hoping to raise our kids understanding why we are vegan. But, if our children still want to eat meat or whatever, they are free to do so. Organic meat, of course!
I really am not trying to be smart, but what if they are serving chicken nuggets at that same party???
Lisa- obviously you know I am not PG or a vegetarian but I really like Randella's take on it. Your DH is not a vegetarian right? And as a BTDT mom, you will be grateful to get your kid to eat anything...they can be such picky eaters. Also you dont want your child to feel alienated from peers at events like birthday parties, or even school. You would be surprised how mean kids can be.
Message edited 12/30/2006 10:33:05 PM.
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| Posted 12/30/06 10:30 PM |
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halisa
adore
Member since 7/06 2168 total posts
Name:
lisa
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by randella
I am not pregnant-- but I am a vegetarian and have thought about this a lot.
DH is not a veggie-- but I plan to try to raise my kids veggie more for convenience sake. There are lots of things out there if you know how to eat that will give them protein.
That being said-- if they want some meat, I am not going to deny them. It's more about me cooking and feeding them.
My niece was just here and for some reason my SIL did not bring food for her-- we made her a veggie burger and she has eaten them before and loves them.
my dh is not a veggie either. he loves meat and will cook some for himself when he's missing it, but he loves all the non-meat dishes i make also. i can't imagine suddenly making chicken or steak when i have children, but if they are at grandma's house and she made meatballs i don't think i want to stop them from eating one.
the majority of their food will be meatless and healthy because i will be the main cook, but if they are at some relatives, parties, etc. i don't think i will deny them either.
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| Posted 12/30/06 11:00 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Hard decision. As you know I was a vegetarian for health reasons for a while, althogh I now eat meat again. I thought when still NOT eating meat what I would do. I never decided.
My SIL is a vegetarian and she allows her kids to eat meat now and will approach them with her liefstyle and why she says when they are teenagers and let them decide then.
Good luck
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| Posted 12/30/06 11:32 PM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
My SIL is vegan and has converted my brother. My nephew was raised as a vegetarian -- they are Buddist so it is a religious belief (nothing with a face). Sometimes I feel sorry for him because he has never even tasted meat, nor can he have anything that has basically been in touch with meat, and that made it hard for the rest of us sometimes to host a family gathering -- as he eats like a HORSE!
Anyway, I think you should bring your kids up as you think is right for them and let them decide as they get older if they want to change. But I think most kids brought up vegetarian don't even care when they are older, they are so used to the lifestyle at that point anyway.
I admire the lifestyle -- I just have no will power, I love burgers...
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| Posted 12/30/06 11:38 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by karacg
But I think most kids brought up vegetarian don't even care when they are older, they are so used to the lifestyle at that point anyway.
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I agree with this.
Its some adults who think oh thats awful, let them eat such and such.
any kid I knew who was a vegetarian growing up never CARED....So I wouldnt even worry about that. 
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| Posted 12/30/06 11:40 PM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
Member since 9/06 2064 total posts
Name:
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by lipglossjunky73
We are both vegan. We will raise our children vegetarian - not vegan, and he/she can make the decision on what he/she wants to do when older.
EVERY child is raised with their parents' own beliefs. This is no different. The important thing is to honor their decisions when they get older, as long as they are well informed and healthy.
I feel that meat is not healthy, and there are many other sources of protein. But, our kids are going to go to birthday parties where there will be ice cream and cake, and no kid should miss out on that.
We are hoping to raise our kids understanding why we are vegan. But, if our children still want to eat meat or whatever, they are free to do so. Organic meat, of course!
I agree with this stance...let them eat cake if they wish. It is their personal choice as was yours.
We have friends who are not vegans or vegetarians by any stretch of the imagination, but for a looooong time i thought they were because they seemed to NEVER let their daughter eat meats of any kind. Her daily diet consisted of breads, cheeses, veggies, fruit even olives and tofu [at the age of 1!]. The first time I saw her eat chicken and meatballs [in some sauce], I nearly fainted. Granted I eat meat and will serve it to my kids...but if they choose NOT to eat it, I'll support that. I think that is a fair compromise. I do not drink milk [as I'm allergic], but by all means, I let my daughter drink as much as she likes.
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| Posted 12/31/06 8:45 AM |
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
I really am not trying to be smart, but what if they are serving chicken nuggets at that same party???
Mostly pizza at birthday parties - at least the ones that I have been too with my stepdaughter and neices and nephews. If I know ahead of time that nuggets will be served, I will provide our child with veggie nuggets or another alternative that he/she can eat. In this day and age of cultural diversity, I can't imagine too many others would even notice, or care.
However, I do not think it is cruel or unusual to provide our child with other protein alternatives to meat. Please do not feel sorry for these kids that are vegetarian - I know many who could care less. They like what they are eating, they are aware that they are eating differently, most of the time - and they are usually proud of the fact that they don't eat animals.
I hated meat my whole life and my parents made me eat it. Forced me to eat stuff I hated - I think thats not fair. Anything I give my child, I want to make sure he/she enoys it. I will not make my kid eat things he/she hates, but I do want our child to eat healthy.
OK - sorry - gonna step onto my soapbox for a minte...
I think the way some parents raise their children in terms of their eating is atrocious.... Fast food, junk food, etc- I see a lot of overweight, unhealthy kids that will suffer a lifelong of weight and health issues. We as a society are also made to believe that certain foods are healthy when in actuality they are not.
Meat is more of a cultural thing than anything else. I would prefer our kids to be vegan, but there is no way that I would want my child to miss out on things like cake and ice cream at birthday parties - those things are partyish - not burgers and nuggets, etc. I feel that in terms of hormones and crap thats in food, occasional ice cream, cake, pizza, etc is a lot better than chicken nuggets and other meat items...
DH's daughters eat anything, but when they are with us, they tend to eat vegan because its the only thing in the house - and they lke our food.
Like I said, I think its a personal decision. All parents raise their children with their own beliefs until the kids are old enough - and informed enough - to make their own decisions.
The more important thing is, if your child chooses NOT to be the following, despite how you raise them:
-Vegetarian/vegan
-meat eaters
-Catholic/Christian/Jewish/atheist/etc
-Straight
The list is exhaustive....
Do we support that decision? Or do we as parents feel somehow rejected in some way?
Stepping off my soap box, and out of hypothetical land....
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| Posted 1/2/07 8:18 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
I am not a vegetarian or veggan.
I plan on having my child try all kind of foods. I don't think I have a right to restrict my child's diet to what I like or believe. I want him/her to experience for himself/herself.
For example, I don't like milk and most veggies. I am a true carnivore. Yet, my child will try milk. She/he will have veggie at each meal. My diet choices are mine and mine alone.
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| Posted 1/2/07 9:21 AM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by lipglossjunky73
I really am not trying to be smart, but what if they are serving chicken nuggets at that same party???
Mostly pizza at birthday parties - at least the ones that I have been too with my stepdaughter and neices and nephews. If I know ahead of time that nuggets will be served, I will provide our child with veggie nuggets or another alternative that he/she can eat. In this day and age of cultural diversity, I can't imagine too many others would even notice, or care.
However, I do not think it is cruel or unusual to provide our child with other protein alternatives to meat. Please do not feel sorry for these kids that are vegetarian - I know many who could care less. They like what they are eating, they are aware that they are eating differently, most of the time - and they are usually proud of the fact that they don't eat animals.
I hated meat my whole life and my parents made me eat it. Forced me to eat stuff I hated - I think thats not fair. Anything I give my child, I want to make sure he/she enoys it. I will not make my kid eat things he/she hates, but I do want our child to eat healthy.
OK - sorry - gonna step onto my soapbox for a minte...
I think the way some parents raise their children in terms of their eating is atrocious.... Fast food, junk food, etc- I see a lot of overweight, unhealthy kids that will suffer a lifelong of weight and health issues. We as a society are also made to believe that certain foods are healthy when in actuality they are not.
Meat is more of a cultural thing than anything else. I would prefer our kids to be vegan, but there is no way that I would want my child to miss out on things like cake and ice cream at birthday parties - those things are partyish - not burgers and nuggets, etc. I feel that in terms of hormones and crap thats in food, occasional ice cream, cake, pizza, etc is a lot better than chicken nuggets and other meat items...
DH's daughters eat anything, but when they are with us, they tend to eat vegan because its the only thing in the house - and they lke our food.
Like I said, I think its a personal decision. All parents raise their children with their own beliefs until the kids are old enough - and informed enough - to make their own decisions.
The more important thing is, if your child chooses NOT to be the following, despite how you raise them:
-Vegetarian/vegan
-meat eaters
-Catholic/Christian/Jewish/atheist/etc
-Straight
The list is exhaustive....
Do we support that decision? Or do we as parents feel somehow rejected in some way?
Stepping off my soap box, and out of hypothetical land....
I sooo agree with you. I know peple who let their kids eat candy all day long and no real food. People that feed their kids pop tarts My DH and i have had this discussion many times. I do not think its bad for kids to have treats every now and again, but I want to try and introduce healthy natural sugars with my future children so they don't crave candy and crap all the time. I am not veg. but my nephew had life threatening food allergies so my SIL had to bring him special food for many occasions. On Thanksgiving we cook everything so he can eat it. I think it can definitely work. GL!
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| Posted 1/2/07 9:29 AM |
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MrsNaunie
Kai helps my father dump out.
Member since 9/06 1181 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Not pregnant, but I am a quasi veggie.
I started eating fish a few months ago.
My husband is in NO WAY a vegetarian. I cook meat for him all the time. He gags at the thought of topfu. And of seafood. I cook 2 meals every day.
I will definitely expose my children to veggie options, including tofu, soy milk, etc. But I will not raise them veggie.
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| Posted 1/2/07 10:13 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
I'm vegetarian, and so is DH (though we also eat fish). We also try to limit the amount of dairy we eat. We both decided to raise our daughter vegetarian, for a variety of reasons, but mainly, for health reasons. I'm really concerned about hormones, safety, bacteria, etc, but we don't restrict her dairy intake at all. While we won't cook or have meat in the home, as she gets older and understands what it is, Dh and I will explain to her why WE don't eat it, but she can do whatever she wants when she isn't home. If, at some point, she wants to cook her own meat, that's fine (with separate pots/pans), but I'm not cooking it in my home for her.
ETA - I'm a dingleberry. I wrote we also eat meat, but durr... we're veggies. I meant, we also eat FISH
Message edited 1/2/2007 10:54:59 PM.
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| Posted 1/2/07 11:45 AM |
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by Bxgell2
I'm vegetarian, and so is DH (though we also eat meat). We also try to limit the amount of dairy we eat. We both decided to raise our daughter vegetarian, for a variety of reasons, but mainly, for health reasons. I'm really concerned about hormones, safety, bacteria, etc, but we don't restrict her dairy intake at all. While we won't cook or have meat in the home, as she gets older and understands what it is, Dh and I will explain to her why WE don't eat it, but she can do whatever she wants when she isn't home. If, at some point, she wants to cook her own meat, that's fine (with separate pots/pans), but I'm not cooking it in my home for her.
Thats exactly how I feel!
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| Posted 1/2/07 3:55 PM |
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purplegirl
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Member since 5/06 2423 total posts
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
I am a vegetarian but DH is a total meat eater. I am having a vegetarian pregnancy but it will be my child's decision if they want to be a vegetarian when they are old enough to understand and make that decision for themselves. I won't try to influence them, and if my husband wants to cook meat, he/she can eat all the meat they want! (I don't cook at all!!!)
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| Posted 1/2/07 8:23 PM |
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Nicole728
My Happy Girl
Member since 7/06 8198 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
I'm not PG and I'm not a vegetarian or vegan...Dh and I both eat meat...mostly chicken and fish..red meat is once and a while...
I think parents who give their kids sugar all the time are doing far more harm, than by you not having meat in your diet...However, I would try to leave that decision up to your child...Liza mentioned Organic meat...that is a healthier option? My "aunt" (we disowned her) she is a Vegetarian, but her husband and my two cousins eat meat...if was her personal choice to stop eating meat and she left the decision up to the rest of her family to do the same...I would educate your child, but I wouldn't deprive them...if they want to have a burger or chicken nugget, let them.
I've always hated veggies, like Peas  my parents never forced me to eat them, Thank God! and Liza, I'm sorry your parents forced you to eat meat...I hope they are supportive of your diet now!
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| Posted 1/2/07 8:49 PM |
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by Nicole728
I'm not PG and I'm not a vegetarian or vegan...Dh and I both eat meat...mostly chicken and fish..red meat is once and a while...
I think parents who give their kids sugar all the time are doing far more harm, than by you not having meat in your diet...However, I would try to leave that decision up to your child...Liza mentioned Organic meat...that is a healthier option? My "aunt" (we disowned her) she is a Vegetarian, but her husband and my two cousins eat meat...if was her personal choice to stop eating meat and she left the decision up to the rest of her family to do the same...I would educate your child, but I wouldn't deprive them...if they want to have a burger or chicken nugget, let them.
I've always hated veggies, like Peas my parents never forced me to eat them, Thank God! and Liza, I'm sorry your parents forced you to eat meat...I hope they are supportive of your diet now!
they are more baffled by it
Like I said - everyone raises their kids as they see fit, until their kids decide that somethign works better for them - thats when they need the support....
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| Posted 1/2/07 9:30 PM |
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rose825
Best Friends
Member since 6/05 10228 total posts
Name:
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by melijane
I sooo agree with you. I know peple who let their kids eat candy all day long and no real food. People that feed their kids pop tarts My DH and i have had this discussion many times. I do not think its bad for kids to have treats every now and again, but I want to try and introduce healthy natural sugars with my future children so they don't crave candy and crap all the time. I am not veg. but my nephew had life threatening food allergies so my SIL had to bring him special food for many occasions. On Thanksgiving we cook everything so he can eat it. I think it can definitely work. GL!
I guess I am a bad mom then, cause my son loves pop tarts You know before I had my son I had some idealistic ideas about what he was and wasnt going to eat too.
And I dont feel bad for vegetarian children AT ALL. But I do think its improtant to normalize the experience for them so that from a social standpoint they dont feel different. And PS last week at school DS had a birthday party with chicken nuggets- it does happen. I think your solution is a good one. I was just curious about what you would do based on your theory that kids shouldnt miss out on "the experience".
Lisa- sorry for the hijack
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| Posted 1/2/07 9:42 PM |
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Guess my kid will be the odd one out at the chicken nugget birthday parties...
Oh well - he/she is going to need to talk about something at therapy one day! 
ETA: I am not opposed to pop tarts - maybe that will at least count for one less session!
Message edited 1/2/2007 10:38:46 PM.
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| Posted 1/2/07 10:37 PM |
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rose825
Best Friends
Member since 6/05 10228 total posts
Name:
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by lipglossjunky73
Guess my kid will be the odd one out at the chicken nugget birthday parties...
Oh well - he/she is going to need to talk about something at therapy one day!
ETA: I am not opposed to pop tarts - maybe that will at least count for one less session!
you can sneak those morningstar nuggets in, no one will know
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| Posted 1/2/07 10:53 PM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by rose825
Posted by lipglossjunky73
Guess my kid will be the odd one out at the chicken nugget birthday parties...
Oh well - he/she is going to need to talk about something at therapy one day!
ETA: I am not opposed to pop tarts - maybe that will at least count for one less session!
you can sneak those morningstar nuggets in, no one will know
My daughter freakin' LOVES those things! And you know what?? I DID sneak them onto her plate at a party with chicken nuggets!
Message edited 1/2/2007 10:56:17 PM.
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| Posted 1/2/07 10:55 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Not vegetarian, and not PG, but I found this thread very interesting regarding the kids feeling left out of things like b-day parties.
My DH and I were both raised following some semblance of Kosher laws, he more stricter than I. He has NEVER eaten non kosher meat, which means at any b-day party, or at friends houses that had chicken nuggets, hotdogs, etc., he didn't eat it. It was just part of his life, and it never bothered him. I think the same thing goes for raising your children vegetarian. You raise your children with your beliefs and give them the freedom to make their own decisions when they are old enough.
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| Posted 1/2/07 11:31 PM |
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Re: question for pregnant vegetarians
Posted by Jax430
Not vegetarian, and not PG, but I found this thread very interesting regarding the kids feeling left out of things like b-day parties.
My DH and I were both raised following some semblance of Kosher laws, he more stricter than I. He has NEVER eaten non kosher meat, which means at any b-day party, or at friends houses that had chicken nuggets, hotdogs, etc., he didn't eat it. It was just part of his life, and it never bothered him. I think the same thing goes for raising your children vegetarian. You raise your children with your beliefs and give them the freedom to make their own decisions when they are old enough.
you know what? I was just thinking about that today - here on LI, so many kids are brought up kosher - I know I was with my parents - I was not allowed to eat the meat at parties - thank god - and becdause I went to Jewish schools, it was always pizza...
But yes, I would have non-Jewish friends tell me they feel bad for me that I can't eat ham, pork, etc. I'd be like - yuck - I already hate cow and chicken - what would I like about pig???
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| Posted 1/3/07 4:33 PM |
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