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My wife decided that our kids would be raised vegan. I am a meat eater. I've agreed to meet her halfway and raise them as vegetarians instead. This way we both get a part, but she shut me out and I'm upset. She shouldn't have the final say, right? Or, is this normal?
I agree with this. Also I dont think that vegetarianism should be forced on children. It has been proven children need how amount of protein and lack of meat can lead to anemia. However if they go home and have nothing that will help and nothing helping that you would let them eat they will get sick.
Looool nice example. But yeah, find a mediator like a marriage counsellor for a one time session to just open her eyes to the middle ground she's refusing. ( in my opinion)
Goodluck. Steak andpotatoes and ice cream for life !!!!
No, every decision should be mutual in a relationship, otherwise what's the point? You need to stand your ground and argue your point. It's not fair on you otherwise, besides IMHO a vegan diet isn't a healthy one. Humans are omnivores. If the human body wasn't supposed to eat meat, or drink milk then we wouldn't. Just the same as a carnivore is supposed to eat meat, if they weren't supposed to eat meat then they'd be a herbivore.
I agree, it's not right to raise these kids vegan. There is so many experiences they will miss out on like cake and pizza at a birthday party, ice-cream at the park, Chocolates on valentines day, treats the kids at school bring on special occasions, Christmas treats, Halloween goodies, and Kraft diner. I think of a million different things these kids would miss out on if your wife was forcing these kids to be vegan. Vegetarian maybe, vegan NO WAY
Step 1.) Find your ball sack
Step 2.) Grab your ball sack
Step 3.) Realize that in ANY relationship there will always be someone who holds sway over the other.
Step 4.) Knowing step 3, decide whether or not you're ok with your wife being the "leader".
I'd consult your family Dr.
Kids have different needs than adults. It will be much harder for them to get what their growing bodies need on a vegan diet.
If you have trouble dealing with your wife on a normal, compromising level, this may be the extra push you need.
you may also want to consider divorce, if she really is so completely unreasonable
i kinda think kids who are raised not eating meat turn out to be pussies... just sayin.
It will be REALLY difficult for them to get enough protein. What kid wants to eat mountains of tofue every single day?
The general practitioner might tell you to eat some fish. But I do love a hotdog or burger, or, lamb with a mint jelly. Meat tastes good, cheese and meat together is good. Plus I love the taste of fish, particularly in some primitive stew for a deep rich flavour. Best of all, mmmm, Indian fish curry!
And Also it's NOT HEALTHY for growing, developing children to have no milk,egg,cheese,or meat in these diet. It's very hazardess to their health and can stunt growth and weaken the immune system. Consult it with a pediatrician and I can pretty much guarantee he/she will tell you the same thing.
lol, I would eat stakes everyday and she can go to hell if she don't like it. Also I would ask kids if they want some too!
You should have at least some say in the final decision. Your wife and their mother should not be deciding whether or not they can eat meat or drink milk.
Unless you just hired an expert nutritionist and a pediatrician to coordinate their diets according to their age, weight, height, growth rate, gender, and metabolism, you might want to stick to a more traditional diet. Let them decide when you think they're old enough, because this is a decision with much much more risk than benefit.
Raising vegan children takes diligence. You can't get the proper nutrition with these diets without being an expert in nutrition. Vegetarianism is a nice compromise, however growth spurts can only be fueled by lots of protein. It will take a lot of work to feed them the amount necessary.
What are her reasons for going vegan? Most vegans are not healthy unless they supplement. And most of the protein often comes from soy. Soy is so horrible. Over-processed mono-cultures are not good for the planet. Do another compromise and agree to eat only locally produced food.
I was vegetarian for years but now the only meat I eat has to be grown by a local farm and not fed hormones, antibiotics, and is given the opportunity to walk around on a regular basis. So I don't eat meat depending on who is trying to feed me :)
This is something you should have discussed before having children together. You knew your wife was a strict vegan so you should have discussed how your children would be raised. You say "she shut me out" but what you really mean is "I have no backbone and can't stand up to my wife." To be a pushover unable to stand up to your wife is not normal and its your fault. You're letting her walk all over you. Grow some balls.
I should have been more clear. When we met, she and I used to go out for boneless buffalo wings and we'd consume things that were animal derived.
She had flirted with vegetarianism over the years and that is cool with me... to each their own, right? What is killing me is that SHE and SHE ALONE decided that the kids would be vegan. While it's admirable, it really puts a kink in living naturally and stress free daily.
As far as me not being able to stand up to my wife. You are half right. Trust me, I could've fought so many things over the years, but since I am in love with her... I let her have victory many a time. However, this bothers me because when the ice cream truck rolls by, I have to refer to it as a "meat truck" so the kids don't go wild.
She always argues "health" reasons for the vegan diet, but how healthy is it really? I've seen some pretty convincing arguments on both sides.
Either way, this is not what I intended life to be with children. Sometimes I want to just make a grilled cheese sandwich and not worry about running to the Whole Foods market to get "their" cheese, which is tasty, but now we're just buying separate foods from separate markets. It sucks. I just want to feel normal again.
You know... it would be the same if my wife decided that the kids would be sword swallowers. I don't do that, nor do I have any interest. (No insult to the sword swallowers of the word) It would be a HUGE inconvenience to have "sword" time around the house, you know?
I do know. And I can tell you're a very polite man. You need to stand up for yourself and your beliefs sometimes though. Understandably you allow your wife to get her way most of the time to keep the peace and because you're in love. However, because this is such an important issue you should consider standing your ground on this one. Even if it means a couple days a week that your children get to take a break from the strict vegan thing. Compromise is the key to any successful relationship. Sit your wife down and explain to her that you aren't happy with the decision she made and the two of you need to compromise because they are your children too. If she still refuses to listen feed them ice cream in front of her, let her pop a vein and get the hell over it. She'll live. Sometimes a man needs to stand up to his woman and this is one of those times. Good luck!
I agree with Hard_Candy, even when you use to let her get it her way most of the time, the fact that you asked about this in a public forum it's a possible sign that this issue is causing you some kind of problems, so you should talk to her.
It sounds stressful to have to refer to the ice truck as meat truck, because i assume it's not the only thing you have to hide from them.
I also assume your wife decided them to be vegan because she wants them to be healthy.
They are kids, therefore you want them to be raised healthy, but going vegan is not the only way to be, actually balancing meat and vegetables may be healthier. Ice cream shouldn't be harmful if eaten with measure, i think educating the kids on how to eat, rather than what to eat is better for them.
I hope this makes sense, English is not my native language.
Good luck. :)
As long as your kids are eating a healthy diet I wouldn't see a reason to be angry. Most parents don't care and through an unhealthy diet set their kids up for a future of bad health. Pick your battles.
Also, I can't imagine not having ice cream as a kid. That's child abuse. I'm eating ice cream right now!