Need help explaining my vegetarianism to 4 year old charge

[Anonymous]

I've been a nanny for twelve years and a vegetarian for even longer. I happily feed my charges meat and never emphasize my own dietary choices. My standard response to the questions I've gotten from children about not eating meat is that it's a personal choice I've made and that many people eat meat and some do not and it's just a personal decision. Most children have been satisfied with that (and probably just haven't cared enough to inquire further).

My current charge, about to turn 4, started asking me a flurry of questions today at lunch, specifically about exactly WHY I choose not to eat meat. She said things like "if you just don't like it, you should give it another try, that's what you and mommy say about vegetables I don't like. Here have a bite of my Turkey it's delicious!" When I said it's not just the taste she kept pressing me about exactly WHY I don't eat meat.

I was at a loss. I considered saying it was religious but she already knows I'm not particularly religious (we've discussed that before). I considered focusing on the environmental aspects of the meat industry, but I really don't want to give her ANY reason to reject meat; I can't be responsible for turning her into a vegetarian (her family is rather meat centric and I'm sure wouldn't forgive me!).

I told her I'd ask my "friends" how best to explain it to her. So, DCUM friends, what should I say?

[Anonymous]

Kids are intuitive and she probably already knows it and just wants to hear from you. Are you from a different culture or background? If so I would say something along lines of people here don't eat dogs as they consider them intelligent, companions etc. and you simply give that status to all animals.

[Anonymous]

Longtime vegetarian and nanny here. I would just say something like "meat makes my tummy hurt" and that instead of meat you eat things like beans, fruits and vegetables. There is really no need to explain beyond that without her parents' guidance and permission.
I've always offered my charges bites of my food, that way they understand that a vegetarian diet is still tasty.

[Anonymous]

Hm, yes I like the suggestions above, though I'd only go with the tummy hurt line if it's true (which it is for some vegetarians if they try to eat meat again after years of not eating it). As a parent, I really would appreciate keeping the morality of meat consumption off topic if I'm not there. I'd rather she hear it from friends at the lunch table at school when she's older. I think as the nanny you hold more influence and are an authority figure and I'd like issues of morality to be more fully addressed by the parents when we have a fundamentally different perspectives.

We did have a Mormon who didn't drink tea or coffee and that was previously unheard of to my 3 yo, but she seemed satisfied with "Coffee is yummy for Mommy, but not yummy for you."

[Anonymous]

why don't you ask her parents what they prefer?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I suppose I'll have to discuss it with her parents. I don't want to lie to her, or influence her in any way; I know that's not my place and I wouldn't dream of it (hence why I'm asking here). I'm not from a different culture or background. I'll email MB and ask her about it.
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

"I don't like meat and since I am a grown-up, I don't have to eat it".

No big deal.

I am a vegetarian nanny as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I don't like meat and since I am a grown-up, I don't have to eat it".

No big deal.

I am a vegetarian nanny as well.

I'm sorry but I really hate this response with anything having to do with explaining things to children. They are autonomous beings too and shouldn't be made to feel like just because they are young, they can't have a say in what they do or don't do. Please don't get me wrong, children need boundaries and limits, but the justification that those are in place just because they are not adults is troublesome, to say the least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I don't like meat and since I am a grown-up, I don't have to eat it".

No big deal.

I am a vegetarian nanny as well.

I'm sorry but I really hate this response with anything having to do with explaining things to children. They are autonomous beings too and shouldn't be made to feel like just because they are young, they can't have a say in what they do or don't do. Please don't get me wrong, children need boundaries and limits, but the justification that those are in place just because they are not adults is troublesome, to say the least.

Nonsense. At least in this incidence. Vegetarianism is like religion - the shorter the explanation the better. I do not want anyone telling my child that eating meat is killing beloved animals.

And the truth is, vegetarians are grown-ups who have made a grown up choice for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Why would you need to explain to ANY child your food preferences? He is old enough to understand that adults are allowed to eat anything they wish.

[Anonymous]

This is what my doctor/nutritionist/whoever and I decided was best for me to eat. I make sure that I eat a healthy, balanced diet, just like you eat a healthy balanced diet. Would you like to try some lentils and veggies with me?