How do I make my parents understand?

Question

I'm 13, and I have looked into becomeing a vegetarian, mostly for animal activism (sp?) and I dont know how to approach my parents about it. My mom grew up on a farm, so she cooks meat dinners almost every night. I just don't want them to put me down for my decision, or saying its just a phaze...

Answer 1

I can understand your concern, because even though I'm an adult and a mom, my family thought I was totally wierd when I decided to become vegetarian. Other people tend to look at it as an inconvenience to themselves -- my husband still complains a little that he doesn't know what to buy at the grocery store. But he's also learned that I can find something to eat at most restaurants, so it doesn't limit our eating out. So everybody adjusted.

Since your mom cooks dinner, try speaking to her first. Be prepared with lots of information of foods that you can eat and that you would like to have. Offer to help her shop and cook so that she doesn't have the problem of thinking too hard about making something additional for you. Investigate easy options like frozen foods. Point out that if she cooks a main dish with meat, you can still eat the side dishes of pasta and vegetables. The more mature you are in explaining why you need to do this, the less likely it will be that you will be critisized.

I'll bet if you have brothers/sisters they will tease you, but stick to your beliefs.

By the way you spelled activism right, but that word at the end should be phase.

Good luck and eat well (it IS possible!!)

Answer 2

I think if you really want to become a vegetarian, you need to approach your parents in a calm reflective way. Don't do this at the dinner table, because that would lead to confrontation. Instead tell your parents that you have something important to you to discuss, and ask them to let you know when it's a good time to talk.
Have your research handy (I suggest that you go to some vegetarian web sites for information like vitamin and nutritional supplements)
Whatever you do, make sure you don't condemn them for eating meat. Just as you make the decision that is right for you, you must respect their decision to do what they feel is right too.
I hope they support your decision, and I hope that you made the decision that is right for you.
No matter what, remember that your parents love you and want what they think is best for you.
Good Luck

Answer 3

my father said it was a phase first 5 years it's been almost ten and i was 17 when i finally went all the way. i had a year of trying different levels no red meat then just fish trying to figure out what i really wanted. mine is not for animal activism i just have never comfortable with the idea of eating something that last month was walking around. = { most people i knew who were veggies for activism reasons would one day 5 years later start eating meat again so i really don't understand it but if it's something you really want to do do it healthy and know you will probably have to face comments. more so since your momthers parents living was farming. good luck

Answer 4

You are still growing and you will need the protein from meat for some more years. You should discuss your interest in becoming a vegetarian with some professional people: doctor, nutritionist, etc. You can start now by preparing you family for your future choice of diet.

Also, you can read a lot about the subject of becoming vegetarian because you will need to study what to eat to compliment proteins in your diet. A very good book is "Diet for a Small Planet".

There are also different levels of vegetarianism: vegan, ovo lacto, etc. You have to decide how far you will go with your diet. Vegans will not eat diary products and do not wear leather - it is a life style as well as a dietary choice. Lacto-ovo vegetarians will eat eggs and dairy products.

I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian for a long time but eventually I developed an allergy to soy products and my fair fell out, so now I eat chicken and fish. Soy products are not always good; for instance they will block thyroid medication if you have a thyroid condition.

Answer 5

You have to take responsibility for your choice. Your mother works hard, and you cannot expect her to cook you a special meal.

First, you need to learn how to cook vegetarian food for yourself, so your lifestyle choice does not inconvenience your mother. You could even offer to cook a vegetarian meal once a week for the whole family.

Second, you should go to the grocery store with your mother and help her buy the food.

Third, a lot of vegetarian specialty products are expensive. You should start to earn your own money to pay for things like soy milk or whatever.

Fourth, and most importantly, you may not preach to your family about the wonders of not eating meat. You do not want them to put you down for choosing to be a vegetarian, then you cannot put them down for eating meat. Do not tell them how cruel the kill floor of a slaughter house is, or bring PETA propaganda to the dinner table, or tell them that their colons have 20 pounds of undigested meat in them.

If you respect your family's choice to eat meat, then they will be more likely to respect your choice to be a vegetarian.

Answer 6

It is difficult but at the end of the day it is cruel to force someone to eat meat. My mum put up with my vegetarianism but has never really understood it (at least I wasn't living at home at the time) my brother thinks I'm a sad,unatural freak. However My Dad (who was brought up in an Irish country village) thinks that it is my choice and never preaches.

I think you have to dicuss this at length and if she still insists on cooking meat meals just push the meat to one side I'm sure she will get the message.

Answer 7

you should wait until you are 18 then yu can make your own choices. Unfortunatly you have to obey your parents rules until then. As a parent your mother may feel that becoming a vegetarian is not right for yur growing body at this time. You need lots of vits and minerals/protiens that you get from meat for your body being vegetarian means replacing those loses with other substitues like soy, tofu, legumes, nuts, beans lentals etc... its not just stopping eating meat. Maybe you can just start by cutting out beef and eating lots of fish, chicken, and seafood ...the whiter meats. Do lots of research and present your parents with knowledgable facts also consider the cost of food shopping, do you have a large family, consider the expense of the extra soya products also the fact that your mon now has to prepare a different meal for you.

Answer 8

I know this may sound hard to do, approach them when they
have a few minutes to spare, explain that you have decided to become a vegetarian, have info/recipes at hand, if they go on
"it's just a phase", path, mention to your parents that they could
be right, but on the other hand, it's a path that you would like
to try out, then we'll see who lasts!
Let your mum know not to worry about the recipes, as it's not
to expensive and maybe you would like to try and do some
cooking, which will ease the pressure on your mum.
Good Luck!
Lain.

Answer 9

When you talk to your mum make sure you have already done your homework and looked up how you will get your protein from vegetarian sources. She's likely to get worried that you don't know what you're doing and that you will end up malnurished, but if you show her you've already looked into meal substitutes and you're being mature about it she is more likely to be supportive. Whatever you do don't start getting into an argument about her as you need to prove you're mature and have taken the responsibity for this deicison yourself. Go armed with pro-veggie information to show her and good luck!

Answer 10

I am myself a vegetarian. I became the first one in my family to be a Vegetarian. I think one should have more confidence in ones parents. They are older and understand. I am sure they would accept your decision. At least I honor your decision.