It’s become quite a topic of interest to folks lately that my seven year old has chosen to be a vegetarian. People are always asking me if I’m a vegetarian or if he watched something on TV. I’m also asked, “Do you cook him different meals?” and my favorite, “Why do you let him be a vegetarian?” Sure I get asked other questions as well, but these are the common ones. Let me start by telling you a bit about my son and maybe then you’ll understand why I support him with my whole heart.
About Owen:
Owen is my second son. He has been a force to be reckoned with long before he was born. When my husband and I decided to have a second child we figured we’d wait another month or two before giving it a go. Well, Owen had other plans and without even giving it a go I found myself pregnant. Right then I knew this kid couldn’t wait to start his life. The pregnancy was wrought with complications. You can read Owen’s birth story, but in the long run he controlled that as well. He wanted his mommy all to himself, so I spent an entire month in the hospital on bed rest. I was away from his father and brother. It was just us. Then if that wasn’t enough, given the fact that he had a rare complication he was to be delivered a month early. That is when he changed his birth sign. A powerful thing to accomplish.
Somehow through all the warnings and scares he arrived to us safely. He has been on a mission to conquer the world since then, so aware of himself and his needs. My mad attempts to potty train him met with disappointment every single time. Then one day I woke up to find him in the bathroom on the potty and he looked at me and said, “I’m ready.” He never even had an accident after that day. Talk about ready.
So, one day he put two and two together and figured out that the same chickens he likes to feed on the farm are also the ones he’s been feeding on at home. He looked me in the eye and said, “Please don’t make me eat animals anymore.” What’s a mom to do? He was never a big vegetable eater. I made him a promise that if he tried more vegetables and ate them that I would never feed him another animal. I honestly didn’t think he would go for it, but he did. He truly felt strongly about it. Now I have to tell you that we are not a big meat eating family to start. I only eat chicken and fish. My husband will order a steak when we go out because I don’t like cooking meat. I have always wanted to be 100% vegetarian, but never had the will to pull it off. Now I’m on a high protein diet and I’m eating a lot of meat, but I promised Owen that when I was done I will be a vegetarian like him. He’s my hero. He’s passionate about what he believes in and I admire that fact.
I know plenty of people that make separate meals for their kids for no reason. I tailor our meals so we all get the protein and nutrition we need. So, Owen might get beans instead of fish, or he might get eggplant meatballs in his pasta instead of the real deal. He also has started to eat a large amount of vegetables he would never had tried before and is a big fan of tofu! He doesn’t hold any ill will towards those of us that do eat meat, but he hopes we will change our minds.
Why I’m a Vegetarian: ( Owen’s 4H Presentation)
Well, there you have it. In a nutshell, no I don’t cook different meals for him I just modify and as far as me “letting” him – as you can see from our seven year history together I don’t have a choice. He is who he is and I find that to be amazing.
What would you have done? In what way is your child passionate? Do you honor that passion?
Ruth says
I LOVE this blog post. By far this is my favorite post you have ever written. Owen is amazing. So are you. So is your your family.
Barbara Stenby says
my son was the same age when he decided he wanted to be a vegetarian. My husband & I are not . Today he is a happy healthy 17 year old VEGAN. He has helped me make healthier choices in my eating habits and I have tried new foods. Yes it stinks having to cook two different meals & I get all the same questions you do but BRAVO to you for letting him be who he is!
Walter Milani says
I never met another kid like Owen! So headstrong and he goes straight after what he wants and yet he is so sincere and adorable. I remember him playing football against those much bigger kids and he got continually knocked down and then right back up again. He never seemed discouraged even though those boys didn’t get any smaller and he doesn’t seem any bigger. The way he consistently charms the ladies without any shyness is amazing. I have no doubt he’ll get whatever he wants! I’m just lucky he’s too young to charm any more girlfriends away from me! Or is he?…
beyourbestmom says
Well, he’s got a pretty great uncle! Although I wouldn’t feel too secure leaving with the ladies, he’s a charmer!