How do I tell my parents I want to be a vegetarian?

I’ve decided I want to be a vegetarian. I’m 13. How do I tell my parents? My mom and dad both eat meat. My mom likes animals and feels sympathy for them, but isn’t a vegetarian or vegan or anything like that and my dad is more of a science kind of guy and thinks changing your diet or way of life for animals is dumb. We have pets and are environment people though. So I’m trying to figure out how to tell them I want to stop eating meat. I thought maybe I should print out some facts and information on animal cruelty and slaughtering (because that’s why I want to be a vegetarian). Or should I just sit them both down and tell them? I have to be convincing. My best friend is also a vegetarian and I’m afraid my parents will think I just wanna be one to be like her, which is not true. I also wanna make it perfectly clear that they don’t have to change there diet or anything at all, they just have to support me.
So what did you tell your parents? Please help!
Thnx! Katie

Don’t bring the information about animal cruelty. You are not trying to convince them to be vegetarians. You are trying to convince them to let you be a vegetarian. By bringing evidence, you will shift the discussion away from how you can be a vegetarian.

Some vegetarians (especially young ones) will be very aggressive about trying to convert people, and if they think you want to convert them, they will resist the whole idea.

Tell them that as you learn about animals, you have decided to not eat meat. You want to work this out with them so that you can do so without inconveniencing anyone. Volunteer to make your own lunch. Volunteer to go food shopping with your parents.

HSBC Pet Food Distribution 7 31 2009


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