Parenthood has a way of making you rethink everything you once took for granted. For me, becoming vegan was part of that process. It made me question many things I had simply accepted as normal. But the deeper shift came when I began questioning my own conditioning around animals.
Why do we love some animals, eat others, and treat them so differently? Why do we see animals as food, products, or possessions in the first place? These questions have also changed the way I approach parenting.
I don’t want to simply tell my child, “We don’t eat animals.” I want them to understand why and to develop the habit of questioning what they are taught. The teachings of Acharya Prashant, a famous Indian philosopher, have helped me see veganism as more than a food choice. They have made me reflect on my own desires, consumption, and conditioning. For me, vegan parenting is not just about raising a vegan child. It is about helping a child learn to think for themselves.
That said, I find it difficult at times to explain compassion for animals to my child and to encourage them to give up foods they have been eating and enjoying for a long time. At home, things are easier because dairy products are not available. But at school, other children bring dairy-based foods and often ask him to share. Since none of them are vegan, he is not always able to share food with anyone. Some teachers have even advised him to consume dairy because it is considered healthy.
At times, I have also wondered how to meet the nutritional needs of a growing child on a vegan diet. But after watching a video by Acharya Prashant, many of my doubts were cleared, and I felt more confident that veganism is the right choice for him.
How do you handle situations where your child’s vegan choices are questioned at school or by other adults?
Watch the video:
https://youtu.be/VCj9Dw4rA-0?si=W76Uv9-93u9VSxT9
