We eat meat very rarely in our house. I'm borderline vegan, but I do make meat for the kids a couple of times a week. They can make their own choices when they are older and understand all of the information before them. I let them know why I don't eat meat, and I tell them why people do. I never criticize them for eating it or tell them it's bad, but I don't serve it frequently, either. Last night for dinner, I made the kids some cod and veggies. They had the greatest conversation with no intervention on my part. (In case you're new to my family, my son, B, is sixteen. My son, Porter, is six, and my daughter, Campbell, is four.)
Campbell: So, this is fish, but not the kind that swims. That would be hilarious!
Porter: Um. Yes it is, Cam. What kind of fish did you think? Fake fish?
Campbell: So, am I actually eating an animal right now?
The boys: Yup.
Campbell: And they squeeeeeeeeze the eyeballs out so it tastes good?
B: Well, that's one way to put it.
Campbell: One time, I want to try eating fake animals, because I don't like eating real animals.
B: You kind-of have. Didn't you eat at McDonald's?
Campbell: Oh, yeah! That's not real food!
Exactly.
