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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As an omnivore, I think it is perfectly fine for your child to have a predominantly or even regularly vegetarian diet, as long as your child is exposed to meat.  You offer meat and if your child does not eat it, that's not a problem.  Why do I think they need to be exposed to it?  Because over the next 10-15 years of their life they will be in communal situations with other kids, parties, school, special events, where they may or may not have specialized menus made that will include vegetarian options.  Kids want to fit in and sometimes in social situations, fitting in may entail eating with the group and you really don't want your child to be skipping meals at day camp or at an all day school outing because there were not vegetarian options planned for the kids.  If all the kids are going to some burger joint after their school event, you want your child to be able to go and enjoy camraderie even if the restaurant doesn't have boca burgers on the menu.  I've seen a number of kids who have had specialized diets for one reason or another who have had awkward times when socializing is mixed with meals and if they are too picky about a specialized diet, then the other kids will start associating that kids as the "difficult" one or may not want to invite that child because it's too much trouble or they can't go to their favorite hang-out because that child can't eat anything there.

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I think parents make a bigger deal out of this than kids do. I grew up with some vegetarian friends and when we initially found out they didn't eat meat we were surprised but it was then no big deal. The veggie kids knew how to get by at not so veggie friendly places. "I'll have a burger with L&T, hold the meat"

OP - keep doing what you're doing - no need to force it on him. If your kid at some point wants to try meat, then let him explore.[/quote]

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