Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] believing in your child
Alan & Brenda Leonard
Hi, guys,
I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for me!
My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
I took him seriously, and believe in his right to make decisions about his
life. We discussed nutrition, protein, balanced diets, etc. Our family has
never been heavy meat eaters, so it's not a huge transition, although it
does require a bit more planning. It's been about a month, and still going
strong.
The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. The doctor tried to
tell him he MUST eat meat, until I cut him off (time for a new doctor.
gotta work on the army on that one.). His friends don't care, but their
parents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly little phase or
something abhorant. We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh works with,
and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and must
have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!
I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. But my best friend just
told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words, not
mine), and I need some support. Thanks!
brenda
who's trying to remember somebody's tag line, "what you think of me is none
of my business", but having a hard time with it today....
I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for me!
My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
I took him seriously, and believe in his right to make decisions about his
life. We discussed nutrition, protein, balanced diets, etc. Our family has
never been heavy meat eaters, so it's not a huge transition, although it
does require a bit more planning. It's been about a month, and still going
strong.
The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. The doctor tried to
tell him he MUST eat meat, until I cut him off (time for a new doctor.
gotta work on the army on that one.). His friends don't care, but their
parents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly little phase or
something abhorant. We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh works with,
and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and must
have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!
I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. But my best friend just
told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words, not
mine), and I need some support. Thanks!
brenda
who's trying to remember somebody's tag line, "what you think of me is none
of my business", but having a hard time with it today....
Betsy
**We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh works with,
and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and must
have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!**
Ugh. It's strange that they think what he eats is their business.
(Although I do understand hosts preparing meat sometimes feel awkward
about what to serve vegetarian guests.)
You might bring tofu hot dogs and vegetables (like squash) to toss on
the grill to the next barbeque. But I know that doesn't address the
hostile and unsolicited advice issue.
I just wanted to express my sympathy. I'm not a vegetarian, but tried
it once for a few weeks. Your son has a right to his own ethical
beliefs, and I'm glad you are supporting him.
Betsy
and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and must
have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!**
Ugh. It's strange that they think what he eats is their business.
(Although I do understand hosts preparing meat sometimes feel awkward
about what to serve vegetarian guests.)
You might bring tofu hot dogs and vegetables (like squash) to toss on
the grill to the next barbeque. But I know that doesn't address the
hostile and unsolicited advice issue.
I just wanted to express my sympathy. I'm not a vegetarian, but tried
it once for a few weeks. Your son has a right to his own ethical
beliefs, and I'm glad you are supporting him.
Betsy
audrey elwood
i have a dear vegan friend who read dr. doliitle as a child and never ate
meat again. now her husband and 5yos are vegan too. have you guys read "diet
for a new america"? perhaps that will give you some ammo for defending
yourself. makes you wonder about your friends i bet.maybe they think its a
phase from their own lack of discipline in sticking with things? you could
do an animal rights/vegan search.hang tough!and power to your compassionate
child! ghandi said something about telling a nation's heart by how they
treat theur animals...in that case we're in sad shape here.
audrey
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
meat again. now her husband and 5yos are vegan too. have you guys read "diet
for a new america"? perhaps that will give you some ammo for defending
yourself. makes you wonder about your friends i bet.maybe they think its a
phase from their own lack of discipline in sticking with things? you could
do an animal rights/vegan search.hang tough!and power to your compassionate
child! ghandi said something about telling a nation's heart by how they
treat theur animals...in that case we're in sad shape here.
audrey
>From: Alan & Brenda Leonard <abtleo@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] believing in your child
>Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 18:37:20 +0200
>
>Hi, guys,
>
>I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for me!
>My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
>about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
>about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
>
>I took him seriously, and believe in his right to make decisions about his
>life. We discussed nutrition, protein, balanced diets, etc. Our family
>has
>never been heavy meat eaters, so it's not a huge transition, although it
>does require a bit more planning. It's been about a month, and still going
>strong.
>
>The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. The doctor tried to
>tell him he MUST eat meat, until I cut him off (time for a new doctor.
>gotta work on the army on that one.). His friends don't care, but their
>parents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly little phase or
>something abhorant. We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh works with,
>and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and
>must
>have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!
>
>I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. But my best friend just
>told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words, not
>mine), and I need some support. Thanks!
>
>brenda
>who's trying to remember somebody's tag line, "what you think of me is none
>of my business", but having a hard time with it today....
>
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
[email protected]
On Wed, 07 Aug 2002 18:37:20 +0200 Alan & Brenda Leonard
<abtleo@...> writes:
she was 8. She's nine now and eats chicken, but no red meat that I can
think of...
I got a much better response from people in general(although Rain's *dad*
was the worst, he kept telling her she wouldn't be healthy). Perhaps
living in northern California made the difference... but if people gave
me a hard time about it, I would talk about how much I admired her choice
and her willpower, and how I was concerned about the lack of safeguards
in slaughterhouses (better now than then, but still scary) and the
possibilities of fecal contamination of meat... not to mention the extra
doses of antibiotics most meat cattle get because they spend their lives
in huge feedlots eating corn, which gives them bloody diarrhea because
their digestive systems were made for grass (although it fattens them up
a lot faster).
I might alos talk about the health benefits of being veg, maybe pull up
some statistics from the web...
And I personally would do this all with big, innocent eyes, as if I
couldn't understand why people would find it funny that my kid was making
a positive health choice...
And I do eat meat, but I'm more careful about it now, and I try to buy
meat only when I know where it came from...
Dar
<abtleo@...> writes:
> The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. The doctortried to
> tell him he MUST eat meat, until I cut him off (time for a newbut
> doctor. gotta work on the army on that one.). His friends don't care,
> theirparents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly littleMy daughter did the same thing at 6, and she ate no meat at until until
> phase or something abhorant.
she was 8. She's nine now and eats chicken, but no red meat that I can
think of...
I got a much better response from people in general(although Rain's *dad*
was the worst, he kept telling her she wouldn't be healthy). Perhaps
living in northern California made the difference... but if people gave
me a hard time about it, I would talk about how much I admired her choice
and her willpower, and how I was concerned about the lack of safeguards
in slaughterhouses (better now than then, but still scary) and the
possibilities of fecal contamination of meat... not to mention the extra
doses of antibiotics most meat cattle get because they spend their lives
in huge feedlots eating corn, which gives them bloody diarrhea because
their digestive systems were made for grass (although it fattens them up
a lot faster).
I might alos talk about the health benefits of being veg, maybe pull up
some statistics from the web...
And I personally would do this all with big, innocent eyes, as if I
couldn't understand why people would find it funny that my kid was making
a positive health choice...
And I do eat meat, but I'm more careful about it now, and I try to buy
meat only when I know where it came from...
Dar
gruvystarchild
"and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat,
and must
have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!"
Yes. You will run into this over and over again for taking your child
seriously since our society treats children as lesser citizens.
Take heart. You aren't alone in your strangeness (isn't it sad that
we are the strange ones?)...
Three of my four children were vegetarian en utero and up to about
age four or five. We eat mostly vegetarian and I see no ill effects
on any of them. They are healthy, thriving and well balanced
individuals that eat a variety of foods.
The three oldest ones (ages 5-12) occasionally eat fish or chicken.
Babsy boy is still nursing (18months) and I don't see any point in
introducing meat to him yet.
People can eat a HUGE variety of diets and thrive. You are a wise and
wonderful mother to respect your child's choice to choose his own
diet. I wouldn't make a big deal out of the fact that he is
vegetarian, not saying anything will get you out of having to defend
him/yourself when you don't feel like it.
Most people won't notice what he's is/isn't eating if you don't say
anything.
Many doctors aren't very well educated in nutrition, so I wouldn't
worry too much about what they think!!
Too many of them smoke and eat crappy for me to consider them worthy
of a nutrition opinion.
haha
Anyway, many, many children are vegetarian and perfectly healthy.
Most people fear what they don't understand. This being no exception.
Carry on!!!
Ren
and must
have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!"
Yes. You will run into this over and over again for taking your child
seriously since our society treats children as lesser citizens.
Take heart. You aren't alone in your strangeness (isn't it sad that
we are the strange ones?)...
Three of my four children were vegetarian en utero and up to about
age four or five. We eat mostly vegetarian and I see no ill effects
on any of them. They are healthy, thriving and well balanced
individuals that eat a variety of foods.
The three oldest ones (ages 5-12) occasionally eat fish or chicken.
Babsy boy is still nursing (18months) and I don't see any point in
introducing meat to him yet.
People can eat a HUGE variety of diets and thrive. You are a wise and
wonderful mother to respect your child's choice to choose his own
diet. I wouldn't make a big deal out of the fact that he is
vegetarian, not saying anything will get you out of having to defend
him/yourself when you don't feel like it.
Most people won't notice what he's is/isn't eating if you don't say
anything.
Many doctors aren't very well educated in nutrition, so I wouldn't
worry too much about what they think!!
Too many of them smoke and eat crappy for me to consider them worthy
of a nutrition opinion.
haha
Anyway, many, many children are vegetarian and perfectly healthy.
Most people fear what they don't understand. This being no exception.
Carry on!!!
Ren
Heather Woodward
Someone may have already responded to your post - I am a little behind in my reading :)
I would just ignore it. ( The other people's reactions) There's tons of people and children who don't eat meat and are perfectly healthy ( some even more so than us - Big Mack eaters :) I didn't eat much meat as a child simply because I didn't like it. My mother used to force me. I hated that. I would chew it and go tot the bathroom and spit it out...etc. It wasn't until I was a teenager that she took me seriously because I was going to weight watchers to support a friend and figured I had learned enough about nutrition to get by. She would just supply those food that were protein rich - and meatless. I did eat chicken and fish and hamgburgers - so I was by no means a vegetarian...
I think it is a good thing when kids are sensative to these types of issues. I think it shows they are kind. I would tell those that you are proud of your son for making tough choices about issues at such a young age. It's so much easier to just grab that hamburger...
Heather
I would just ignore it. ( The other people's reactions) There's tons of people and children who don't eat meat and are perfectly healthy ( some even more so than us - Big Mack eaters :) I didn't eat much meat as a child simply because I didn't like it. My mother used to force me. I hated that. I would chew it and go tot the bathroom and spit it out...etc. It wasn't until I was a teenager that she took me seriously because I was going to weight watchers to support a friend and figured I had learned enough about nutrition to get by. She would just supply those food that were protein rich - and meatless. I did eat chicken and fish and hamgburgers - so I was by no means a vegetarian...
I think it is a good thing when kids are sensative to these types of issues. I think it shows they are kind. I would tell those that you are proud of your son for making tough choices about issues at such a young age. It's so much easier to just grab that hamburger...
Heather
----- Original Message -----
From: Alan & Brenda Leonard
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 12:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] believing in your child
Hi, guys,
I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for me!
My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
I took him seriously, and believe in his right to make decisions about his
life. We discussed nutrition, protein, balanced diets, etc. Our family has
never been heavy meat eaters, so it's not a huge transition, although it
does require a bit more planning. It's been about a month, and still going
strong.
The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. The doctor tried to
tell him he MUST eat meat, until I cut him off (time for a new doctor.
gotta work on the army on that one.). His friends don't care, but their
parents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly little phase or
something abhorant. We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh works with,
and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and must
have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!
I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. But my best friend just
told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words, not
mine), and I need some support. Thanks!
brenda
who's trying to remember somebody's tag line, "what you think of me is none
of my business", but having a hard time with it today....
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The Selfridge's
Brenda,
The one thing I want my kids to develop the most, is the ability to stand up
to what they believe, no matter what the "masses" might say. My two boys,
ages 10 and 7, do not eat any meat and proudly call themselves vegetarians.
Any doctor telling you that your 6 year old has to eat meat should be
dismissed, protein yes, not meat. I am a vegetarian but never told my kids
that they had to be. Their choice. We don't get too many negative
comments, most people know the benefits, but occasionally someone will say
something. It blows my mind that I and my children would be criticized for
being compassionate! Same with the homeschooling, natural medication, yada,
yada, yada, other people always think we are doing it wrong if it is not the
"normal" way or their way. At least my children are standing up to
"peer-pressure!"
You are doing the right thing listening to your son and supporting him.
Isn't that the basis of unschooling anyway? Good luck!
Michele
The one thing I want my kids to develop the most, is the ability to stand up
to what they believe, no matter what the "masses" might say. My two boys,
ages 10 and 7, do not eat any meat and proudly call themselves vegetarians.
Any doctor telling you that your 6 year old has to eat meat should be
dismissed, protein yes, not meat. I am a vegetarian but never told my kids
that they had to be. Their choice. We don't get too many negative
comments, most people know the benefits, but occasionally someone will say
something. It blows my mind that I and my children would be criticized for
being compassionate! Same with the homeschooling, natural medication, yada,
yada, yada, other people always think we are doing it wrong if it is not the
"normal" way or their way. At least my children are standing up to
"peer-pressure!"
You are doing the right thing listening to your son and supporting him.
Isn't that the basis of unschooling anyway? Good luck!
Michele
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan & Brenda Leonard" <abtleo@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] believing in your child
> Hi, guys,
>
> I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for
me!
> My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
> about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
> about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
>
> I took him seriously, and believe in his right to make decisions about his
> life. We discussed nutrition, protein, balanced diets, etc. Our family
has
> never been heavy meat eaters, so it's not a huge transition, although it
> does require a bit more planning. It's been about a month, and still
going
> strong.
>
> The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. The doctor tried
to
> tell him he MUST eat meat, until I cut him off (time for a new doctor.
> gotta work on the army on that one.). His friends don't care, but their
> parents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly little phase
or
> something abhorant. We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh works
with,
> and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and
must
> have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!
>
> I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. But my best friend just
> told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words,
not
> mine), and I need some support. Thanks!
>
> brenda
> who's trying to remember somebody's tag line, "what you think of me is
none
> of my business", but having a hard time with it today....
>
>
>
> If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email
the Moderator, Joyce Fetteroll, at fetteroll@...
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
Tia Leschke
>You've got my tagline exactly right. It's probably time to teach it to
>
>The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. The doctor tried to
>tell him he MUST eat meat, until I cut him off (time for a new doctor.
>gotta work on the army on that one.). His friends don't care, but their
>parents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly little phase or
>something abhorant. We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh works with,
>and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, and must
>have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?!
>
>I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. But my best friend just
>told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words, not
>mine), and I need some support. Thanks!
>
>brenda
>who's trying to remember somebody's tag line, "what you think of me is none
>of my business", but having a hard time with it today....
your son. <g>
I think your response, and his, needs to be something like asking people
where they did their research on vegetarianism because you'd like to see
any studies that show the importance of his eating meat. I suspect that
would shut most of them up.
Tia (who eats meat because her family does but wouldn't miss it and knows
it isn't needed)
What you think of me is none of my business.
*********************************************************
Tia Leschke leschke@...
On Vancouver Island
Karin
>me!
> I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for
> My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the parthas
> about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
> about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
>
> I took him seriously, and believe in his right to make decisions about his
> life. We discussed nutrition, protein, balanced diets, etc. Our family
> never been heavy meat eaters, so it's not a huge transition, although itgoing
> does require a bit more planning. It's been about a month, and still
> strong.Hi Brenda - It's so nice to read that you're taking your son's decision
seriously, and helping him become aware of how to eat a well-balanced,
nutrionally sound vegetarian diet - if that's what he wants.
> The problem? The reactions from absolutely everybody. >>I've been a vegetarian for about 20 years and have raised my boys (9 & 11)
on a vegetarian diet. I've gotten used to any negative stuff people say to
me about it. It really doesn't matter to me what they think because I know
the reasons why I'm doing what I'm doing and I can stand firm in my
decisions.
Sometimes it's hard to stand out from the crowd and be different. I never
feel like I quite fit in with anyone's crowd. I'm further different from
most because I also homeschool and even UNschool, do not vaccinate, had a
homebirth, and also try to practice natural medicine when at all possible.
In fact, I don't know anyone like me! I've heard it all the most from my MIL
who probably doesn't understand why I must be SO different than most. LOL.
Being different is just a fact of life, for me.
>His friends don't care, but theiror
> parents laugh at him, about him, treat it like it's a silly little phase
> something abhorant. We had an family BBQ with army folks my dh workswith,
> and people acted like we're wrong for not just making him eat meat, andmust
> have no control as parents. All this for taking a child seriously?! >>It makes me mad sometimes how some people think it's okay to be so concerned
with personal family matters. Well, I would just simply state your reasons
(and your son's reasons) for being vegetarian and leave it at that. Who
knows, you might might educate them a bit about it or give courage to some
others who've wanted to try being veg but haven't yet.
I always bring veggie burgers or veggie hot dogs to any BBQ event. That way
my kids and I feel like at least we can share in the BBQ atmosphere and not
feel so left out. People could also see that your son is eating "something"
and perhaps then aren't as concerned that he is deprived of meat.
> I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. >>Yes! You are. :o)
>But my best friend justnot
> told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words,
> mine), and I need some support. Thanks! >>I would feel very offended if any best friend of mine called me stupid or
made me feel bad for "humoring" my son.
That doesn't sound like best friend behavior.
Good luck with this and I commend your son for having the courage to be
different.
Karin
Karin
> I wouldn't make a big deal out of the fact that he isYes Ren, this is what I do most often. The subject just doesn't come up very
> vegetarian, not saying anything will get you out of having to defend
> him/yourself when you don't feel like it.
> Most people won't notice what he's is/isn't eating if you don't say
> anything.
often when we are out because we know not to make a big deal about it. Most
people don't notice that we are vegetarian and my experience has been that
people who do find out try to be extra accomodating to helping us find
something to eat. We eat whatever there is available for us, and know that
when we get home in an hour or two - can eat whatever we like if we're still
hungry.
Karin
Deb
Brenda,
What an opportunity you have to show your child how to maintain
integrity in the face of opposition, lack of understanding, conformity.
Good for you for taking his ideals and compassion and commitment
seriously (however long it lasts).
My dad brought us up to value our stand in being different - quietly,
with dignity. Every year we had to face the friends, neighbors and
people we didn't even know at holiday times as I was brought up Jewish
in a Christian society. So no Christmas tree or Easter egg hunts. We did
have the perks of staying home from school on Jewish holidays, and the
broadening of our cultural horizons by knowing interesting people and
our own holidays, and visiting Israel. This was not an individual
commitment at that time, so we had much more support, but your son will
grow in character from your respect for him and in facing others who are
ignorant of why he chose his path.
You can keep getting more information on what's right about his
decision, both compassion-wise and health-wise that you and he can share
with others and perhaps educate them. I would recommend you seek out
others who are acting on the strength of their compassion. Perhaps you
could go to a veggie pot luck and meeting. Get a vegetarian cookbook out
of the library and make some new dishes and one to share with others.
You might find people he likes to be with on this or at least just see
that there are other people who believe and act similarly.
There are others things he can do with his commitment too. Show him (and
yourself) that not all others are indifferent to these concerns. You can
find groups both on the internet and probably in your local area who
believe in animal rights and work to save them. This would include
activist groups who expose and protest against "factory farming" and
inhumane treatment of animals for commercial purposes, as well as
vegetarian groups. Maybe you'll both make a donation to such a group, or
write a letter to a legislature to change a law. If you keep expanding
your and his knowledge and experiences in this area, you'll both be able
to hold your position better and better.
If you talk about character building to your friend who thinks you are
nuts, perhaps she'll get a reality adjustment. People end up taking
drugs these days instead of learning how to deal with life or live up to
their intentions. Hold firm, girl! You and your son are setting a good
example for others: he is acting on what he believes in and you are
backing him up. Congratulations, and welcome to humanity with all its
good intentions and flaws. He'll be able to hold his own position and
consult his own conscience better in the future because of this.
Debbie
What an opportunity you have to show your child how to maintain
integrity in the face of opposition, lack of understanding, conformity.
Good for you for taking his ideals and compassion and commitment
seriously (however long it lasts).
My dad brought us up to value our stand in being different - quietly,
with dignity. Every year we had to face the friends, neighbors and
people we didn't even know at holiday times as I was brought up Jewish
in a Christian society. So no Christmas tree or Easter egg hunts. We did
have the perks of staying home from school on Jewish holidays, and the
broadening of our cultural horizons by knowing interesting people and
our own holidays, and visiting Israel. This was not an individual
commitment at that time, so we had much more support, but your son will
grow in character from your respect for him and in facing others who are
ignorant of why he chose his path.
You can keep getting more information on what's right about his
decision, both compassion-wise and health-wise that you and he can share
with others and perhaps educate them. I would recommend you seek out
others who are acting on the strength of their compassion. Perhaps you
could go to a veggie pot luck and meeting. Get a vegetarian cookbook out
of the library and make some new dishes and one to share with others.
You might find people he likes to be with on this or at least just see
that there are other people who believe and act similarly.
There are others things he can do with his commitment too. Show him (and
yourself) that not all others are indifferent to these concerns. You can
find groups both on the internet and probably in your local area who
believe in animal rights and work to save them. This would include
activist groups who expose and protest against "factory farming" and
inhumane treatment of animals for commercial purposes, as well as
vegetarian groups. Maybe you'll both make a donation to such a group, or
write a letter to a legislature to change a law. If you keep expanding
your and his knowledge and experiences in this area, you'll both be able
to hold your position better and better.
If you talk about character building to your friend who thinks you are
nuts, perhaps she'll get a reality adjustment. People end up taking
drugs these days instead of learning how to deal with life or live up to
their intentions. Hold firm, girl! You and your son are setting a good
example for others: he is acting on what he believes in and you are
backing him up. Congratulations, and welcome to humanity with all its
good intentions and flaws. He'll be able to hold his own position and
consult his own conscience better in the future because of this.
Debbie
> I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for me!
> My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
> about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
> about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
>
> I took him seriously, and believe in his right to make decisions about his
> life. >
> I truly believe I'm doing the right thing here. But my best friend just
> told me how stupid I'm being about this (by "humoring him"-- her words, not
> mine), and I need some support. Thanks!
>
natural mama
At 11:53 AM 8/7/02 -0700, you wrote:
handy for cookouts! Love the Amy's burgers.
Tanya
>I always bring veggie burgers or veggie hot dogs to any BBQ event. That waywe do this as well. normally we don't eat meat analogs, but they sure are
>my kids and I feel like at least we can share in the BBQ atmosphere and not
>feel so left out. People could also see that your son is eating "something"
>and perhaps then aren't as concerned that he is deprived of meat.
handy for cookouts! Love the Amy's burgers.
Tanya
natural mama
At 04:44 PM 8/7/02 +0000, you wrote:
info, still. Fast Food Nation, and Food Revolution are more recent reads
that may be helpful.
Tanya
>have you guys read "dietdiet for a new america is a bit outdated at this point. some good solid
>for a new america"? perhaps that will give you some ammo for defending
>yourself.
info, still. Fast Food Nation, and Food Revolution are more recent reads
that may be helpful.
Tanya
audrey elwood
thanks tanya- i'll be ordering those asap from the library
audrey
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
audrey
>From: natural mama <naturallyorganic@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] believing in your child
>Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 18:02:08 -0700
>
>At 04:44 PM 8/7/02 +0000, you wrote:
> >have you guys read "diet
> >for a new america"? perhaps that will give you some ammo for defending
> >yourself.
>
>diet for a new america is a bit outdated at this point. some good solid
>info, still. Fast Food Nation, and Food Revolution are more recent reads
>that may be helpful.
>
>Tanya
>
>
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
jessi koons
have you seen the book OK, So Now You're a Vegetarian by Lauren Butts? It's written by a teenager, so it's got some fun kid-friendly recipies in it (tacos, pizza, etc). Alas, the teenage author went (goes?) to school, so a 6 yo unschooler may be a bit befuddled by the references to home ec class... nonetheless, it's not bad in terms of recipies.
Alan & Brenda Leonard wrote:Hi, guys,
I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for me!
My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Alan & Brenda Leonard wrote:Hi, guys,
I need a support group today and you all are going to have to be it for me!
My six year old son read Charlotte's Web, loved the book, hated the part
about killing animals for food, spent a couple days thinking and talking
about it, and decided he's never eating meat again.
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the Moderator, Joyce Fetteroll, at fetteroll@...
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
Do You Yahoo!?
HotJobs, a Yahoo! service - Search Thousands of New Jobs
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]