I am just starting this transition because of some serious back issues. I have a bulging disc that is leaking spinal fluid onto my sciatic nerve causing some pain in my legs....I was a pretty serious runner/triathlete and now feel like this might help the inflammation and allow me to run again. So, I'm pretty committed to this lifestyle change on several levels.

BUT-what do I/you/one do with their kids? My kids love chicken. They are picky. They heart milk (hey-at least it's local and organic??). But I don't want to be making 2 meals for the rest of our lives. We already do not eat many processed foods due to one of my boys having an egg and peanut allergy and we never eat red meat. But the dairy for them will be hard and cutting poultry/fish.

Do you children eat vegan as well? Was the transition hard for them if they do? How old are your kids?

I appreciate your ideas!

I don't have kids, but since no one else was posting on your thread, I thought maybe I could give you some things I think would work, but of course, I haven't actually had to try out myself. In Alicia's book, she said that there's no need to announce a big change, just start cooking. For your kids, maybe cook up some gardein (a fake chicken) and see if your kids even notice the difference. Same with milk. Try substituting it woth almond milk and see if they like it. Another thing Alicia recommends is to cook rice a lot and it will change people from the inside out, making them more peaceful and less resistant to change. Good luck and sorry I don't have any personal experience with kids to share with you!

I am struggling with the same thing.  Especially on the milk front.  We go through a few gallons a week between my 3 each week.  They also love eggs.  Two of my three are underweight so I hate to take away high protein foods that they love!

I have been slowly adding in vegan foods for them, a lunch here and dinner there.  I am hoping that in time they will develop a taste for things like tempeh and tofu.  Until them I am only buying meat, dairy and eggs from small, local family farms.  Farms that let me visit to see how the animals were treated.  I like to think that these animals had a great life and one really bad day.  Ideally, of course, we will eliminate all meat and dairy but in order for them to get on board it has to be a slow process.

One suggestion that I read on a different thread in this forum was to make vegan side dishes that you all like and then just two simply prepared proteins, one vegan one not.  I thought that was a good way to lessen the load of cooking different things for all.  

I am interested to hear what other people have come up with on this issue!

I'm different because this is all my kiddo has known.  But I think if I were starting now at age 7, changing little things here and there, switching the ground beef in recipes for the veggie kind. 

This will give you italian, mexican, and Chili dishes all without meat by changing that one thing.

Making pancakes with bananas instead of eggs.  Getting some desserts that are vegan will help transition off the non-vegan kind showing how good they are.  Providing lots of fruits and veggies and side dishes like the other's said.

Kudos for you for making changes for yourself, I think the longer you do this, the more they will learn by example.  There are so many "transition" foods now that make it so easy.

One thing I tell my friends is that, they are the ones doing the shopping.  If you bring the stuff home then its on you... If the other isn't there and yummy alternatives in its place they may be willing to try it. 

I have one friend that started shopping at a different store (health store) and then would tell her kids they didn't carry the brand they like, but she got this instead.  And she has transitioned them off a lot of stuff.

Good Luck

I've said both here and other places that it's all about balance. I have the same problem with my fiance and find that it's not hard to make vegan/veggie meals that you can 'add' meat on to. Stir fry - for example - works well for that.  My fiance and I do that a lot. 

Also, you might want to look into a few false meats to test the waters. My fiance is likely more picky than your kids lol (he will only eat potato raw not cooked or mashed but will have them baked but not with anything). It's rough. But testing out what you can 'get away with' like fake meats or new veggies in things like stir fry might help you find your way. 

For us, taking things out of the packaging helps a lot. It seems silly but Michael will freak if I get the wrong cheese - unless he doesn't know it's not his brand ;). 

As far as milk goes, a lot of people have suggested a slow transition if they're really hooked - mix 1/2 milk and 1/2 soy (or 2/3 milk, 1/3 other), almond, rice, whatever, and then slowly change the ratios.

I went from meat eating to vegan about two months ago. I have an 8-and an 11-year old. In general, I buy what's easy, but don't cook meat. We have always had a rule in our house that if you don't like what you're being served, you're on your own. So my girls were competent at sandwiches from about age 3, and now make their own spaghetti, macaroni, french toast, veggies, etc.

I still buy milk for them (they refuse to drink non-organic now), but my husband drinks my soy milk. He likes it better. Meat substitutes have been hit or miss. My youngest wolfed down the mushroom-based taco meat, but spit out the veggie burger. For the most part, they love the desserts and breads, but like many kids, are suspicious of anything green. I also notice that the cheese drawer in our refrigerator has almost gone untouched. My oldest used to be a huge cheese eater.

Sadly, they have come to distrust anything I make, so sometimes they won't try it at all. I figure it's all part of the journey. The good news is that they went out for a doughnut this morning and didn't bring back a dozen. Seriously, that is huge progress. The other huge progress is that they are snacking on fruit because when I shop the junk food doesn't get restocked.

So overall I'd say, keep trying, but try with food that looks like what they already enjoy. Brown rice, dessert, breads, etc. Go ahead and present the food you made for yourself, but if it doesn't go over don't worry, it will someday. As my oldest approaches her teen years, she gets up to fend for herself less often. I think it's just because she's getting lazy, but at least she's eating healthy!

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You eat what you're served, make it yourself, or you don't eat at all. What? That's crazy talk!

Marjie, you are totally old school (compliment!). And if you don't keep nasty stuff in the house, they have no other choice but to make and eat something healthier, even if they won't eat the meal you cooked.

And Emily - Vegmom has good suggestions. Go with things that are easy to swap that most kids like - spaghetti and other pastas, tacos, burritos, tostados, etc. It's easy to ad extra veggies to these dishes while still keeping them recognizable, and use beans instead of meat, or if you must do it for a while, use fake meats like Gardein or vegan veggie crumbles (just read labels becasue some veg ones contain egg).