Vegetarian Mother In law Preaches to my Kids NOT TO EAT MEAT!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given the problem with obesity among Americans, I'd not be boosting the merits of the typical American diet which includes meat.

In fact, you are probably aware that obesity has started becoming an issue in India among the middle class and the more affluent as they have embraced the American diet of burgers and pizza.

Eating meat does not have to equate to eating burgers and pizza. I absolutely love meat, but I couldn't tell you the last time I had either of those things.

This......

I don't disagree and I do eat meat and enjoy it but if you examine the typical diet of most Americans things like burgers, pizzas and fried chicken are quite common and they are not exactly what the doctor ordered. When we eat out, we usually share an entree if it includes meat and just order an extra salad or veggies to go with the meal. It is not to do with the cost but to limit the amount of meat/poultry, etc.

Although I think the OP's MIL is unreasonable in her demands, coaching the kids to eat healthy will be good for them in the future.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm not understanding why you are getting so intensely irate.

Does your MIL live with you? Does she stay with or watch the children on a regular basis? If not, and this occurs only when she's visiting than I wouldn't worry about it. You are the parent and you can teach your children what your beliefs are. You can, rationally, explain that their Grandma has different ideas and that they are okay to, but not for you and your kids. That everyone believes different things.

Instead it seems like you are more likely to say damaging things about their grandmother in front of them because you are so upset. This is a teaching moment for you and your kids, you can teach them compassion and understanding people's differences or you can teach them to become irate and isolating when they don't agree with someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm not understanding why you are getting so intensely irate.

Does your MIL live with you? Does she stay with or watch the children on a regular basis? If not, and this occurs only when she's visiting than I wouldn't worry about it. You are the parent and you can teach your children what your beliefs are. You can, rationally, explain that their Grandma has different ideas and that they are okay to, but not for you and your kids. That everyone believes different things.

Instead it seems like you are more likely to say damaging things about their grandmother in front of them because you are so upset. This is a teaching moment for you and your kids, you can teach them compassion and understanding people's differences or you can teach them to become irate and isolating when they don't agree with someone else.

Absolutely. There is no reason to get so angry...be flexible...eat good quality meat and also introduce vegetables in the diet of your children. There is such an incredible variety of of delicious vegetable dishes in Indian cuisine that it would be a shame to deprive your kids of that.

OP's rant seems to for more than just MILs dietary preference...(or anti hindu attitude)...Is the OP also an Indian Hindu? What is the age of MIL? It could be that OP is not Indian Hindu and that has disappointed MIL? Maybe MIL is too old to change her way of thinking. Sometimes these things have no resolution...all you can do is to ignore the negativity.