Family opposed to your vegetarianism?

Question

Does anyone else have this problem?

I have been a vegetarian for over a year now. I started when I was 14 and I'm 16 now. It took my parents 2 years of me whining my *ss off to let me be a vegetarian. And now that I am, they won't get off my case. I mean, my dad's kind of like "I don't care" mode. But my mom is like "Oh my god! Where do you think you're going! You don't have your proteins and blah blah blah! How do you think you're going to live without eating meat?!?!" That's the light part. Here's where she kicks it up a notch: "I can't cook for you anymore. It's too confusing to cook 2 separate meals at the same time using two different sets of utensils! And even if we eat at the same table at the same time, we're not a family and definitely not eating together because you have your own set of foods and we have ours! You're breaking apart this family with that stupid vegetarianism!"

Does anyone else have this problem? How are you working it out/dealing with it?

Answer 1

My Mom is very supportive (I'm in college but still live with her) but the rest of the extended family not so much.

My uncle is a gun toting meat & potatoes hunter... so there's that....

I've been cooking my own meals since before I went vegan (I'm vegan but same relating to situation you have) just because I used to always like different foods than my family. Its not that dire. If you're a  teen, this is what I did- ask your mom how much money she spends on food for you per week now. Ask her if she can give you that amount to do your own shopping (bring her receipts so she can see you spent it on groceries) no change in her money, it shows responsibility, and you get to eat what you want.

It worked for me.

At family gatherings I bring the yummiest vegan (for you veg) food I can find, something from a cookbook or a vegan restaurant, so the family sees how yummy veg eating can be- just stay positive as showing your conviction and happiness at your decision will leave the best impression.

Its tough hang in there

Answer 2

i've been a vegetarian for about 6 months now. my parents are fine with it and have not given me any trouble for it. what was funny though was when i told my brother. He got upset and said "aw now i have to be a vegetarian" lol, because i do almost all of the cooking in my house.

Answer 3

Well my grandmother always says "it's harder to cook for a vegetarian, and more expensive", both of which I find untrue.

Answer 4

Ok, I didn't read a word of that but I just want to tell you that your parents are overprotective.. They usually are.. otherwise, you'd be a complete mess that doesn't give a d**n about the world because your parents beat you, scream at you and make your life so close to h**l that you wouldn't have time to write out that essay on yahoo answers.. ok.. so yeah.. what was I saying..

don't worry.. however ignorant your parents are doesn't matter.. I'm guessing you're what, 15 or 16? In 2 years you're gonna be outta there... doing whatever you want and eating whatever you want... Just eat whatever your parents feed you... Goddamn... They cook all that food for you to make you happy and you throw it back at their face.. that's messed up...

EAT IT!!!

Answer 5

I know how you feel.  When I first became vege, my mum was not happy, but eventually she got over it.  Now, since my brother has gone vegan (8 years later), so has my mum - so people can change.  It does get frustrating when they give me a hard time about dairy etc.

Surely your mom doesn't cook everything with meat? Can you just eat the parts of the meal that are cooked separately from the meat?  And make the extra protein part yourself.

Answer 6

i had the same problem when i was younger. when i started i was 12 and i got a job selling tickets for local bands. with the money i would buy my own food that i needed for my nutrients and cooked for myself. just ask your mom if you can help with dinner and make a dish for your self and help with the other stuff

Answer 7

my family is just like that. mt gma is like "maggie, sugar, if you dont get some protien your going to be sick"

they wont listen to me and i dont really care b/c i know the lifestyle i live is the best way for me and the furry creatures that i dont consume

Answer 8

OMG!! I have the same exact problem!!! I dont see why they care so much. yeah ive been a vegetarian for more than a year and theyve bugged me the whol time!! i want to go vegan, but that is out of the question... :P oh well...

Answer 9

i did but i'm 22 and live on my own so theres not a lot they can do

Answer 10

Intellect...Awareness...Conscience...

Nevertheless, if the current uptrend is continue (and other factors remain unchanged), 43.2% of world population  will be vegetarians by the year 2019. (Even some survey & researches predicted the figure would be much higher)

This is where the world is leading to.