I don t hold with showing young children graphic photos of factory farmed animals, however. The terrible realities of that world will hit them soon enough, and this is not something I want to share with young kids. My four year old son Willie, loves to lecture his little buddies about how disgusting cow s milk is, though, and always asks me to read the ingwedients before consuming a new food. We ve never terrorized our kids with gross photos to strengthen their vegetarian values. They love animals, love the good food they eat, and enjoy their good health.
Gentle honesty goes a long way with most children, and with many adults, too.
I may yet whip up yet another vegan cake or treat for a birthday party or event, but will do so out of a desire to share something unique and delicious with our friends, not because we re different. We re not. My husband and I are just parents like everyone else trying to do the best we can for our children, and that includes teaching them not to eat animal products, and how to be respectful about this choice in a world where this is not YET the norm. Enter email address and press Join.