Vegetarian Family

My husband and I have been veggie for about 12 years, if not longer. I can recall my early tries at giving up meat about 15 years ago. I was vegan for about five years, including during my first pregnancy. Both my children are being raised vegetarian and it is indeed not only possible, but also easy once you get the hang of it.

Yesterday my 16 month old daughter ate homemade chili with lentils, aduki beans, onions, tomatoes and served with bulgar wheat. It wasn't spicey hot. The same goes for my six year old. Both eat tofu, broccoli, brown bread and brown rice.. all essential building blocks for health. I've heard many parents complain that their kids won't touch veggies, but to me, you have to start as you mean to go on. It seems if you start young, from the start, then there's no reason they shouldn't eat them. Brown bread from the start, becomes the only bread there is! Of course they may grow up and detest lentils, but by then, it will be their choice and I will know at least they have had healthy foundations. There's also plenty of processed vegetarian stuff around, not like the 70's! The trick is not to give up if they don't eat it the first time, just re-introduce it again later, and again, this has worked well for daughter especially.

My son seems to be the only vegetarian that we know of at his school, but the school caters for veggies in the school dinners-- sometimes. They still need guidance in that Fish, is not vegetarian! But we pack lunch. If you are thinking about going veggie, or need some info about it, the vegetarian society has some useful tips. You can read seven tips to getting started here: http://www.vegsoc.org/newveg/fft/seven.html .

"What could be better than enjoying great tasting food that is not only good for your health, but also far better for the planet and the creatures that live with us upon it?" Sir Paul McCartney, Vegetarian Society Patron

Japanese film fest

We seem to have embarked on a Japanese film festival of sorts in our house. My son was off school this past week for mid-term break and we watched My Neighbor Totoro which was on tv, coinciding with a few titles we rented. This was such a beautiful film, you definitely don't need kids to watch it, in fact you don't need kids to watch any of the Studio Ghibli productions. Its about the adventures of two little girls who move into a new house and meet Totoro, a forest sprite, and an amazingly endearing creature, not to mention the awesome Cat Bus!. The world created is entirely magical, and even though animated, it has sparked an interest in Japan's countryside.

Laputa -Castle in the Sky was also on tv today, which was rated PG, and had violence in it that I wasn't thrilled with. It didn't capture my son's imagination quite as much as Totoro did, but still he enjoyed it.

A few weeks back we watched Spirited Away, and with parents turning into pigs, I highly recommend it!. This weekend we also rented Kiki's Delivery Service and The Cat Returns. All of these highly imaginative and superbly animated films are by the acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki. I think my son's favourite was Totoro so far (and mine too).

Also on our 'to watch' list is Only Yesterday (which will probably be without the kids as it supposedly is aimed at adults), Howl's Moving Castle and Porco Rosso.. what is it with people turning into pigs??

ooh child, things are going to get brighter...

I didn't really think I'd be blogging so much about parenting, not that its not a worthy topic, I just had other things in mind for the blog. But it is all about life, and right now, life is getting more complicated for my beautiful little boy.

He's having trouble settling into school as I was told by the headmaster and his teacher yesterday after school. Its his third week, and he is still recovering from a cold that plagued him his entire second week. It has been decided that he should be moved into class one, instead of class two where he's at right now, which may help him adjust better. That's where he was going to start originally, but then due to his birthdate, they moved him into class 2. He is reading very well, and writing, but its all about his behaviour and social skills.

His current class has 20 boys and 7 girls. Its too big and many of the boys are disruptive. The thing is though, that my son is slightly different--i guess. This is why I hesitated in sending him to school, because I know how he is, and what he needs. I never thought much about labelling him, and as his mother, I am biased in a big way.

Although it was not mentioned, it occurred to me that the teacher and headmaster may be thinking that my son has ADHD--attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder. I suppose I've been aware of that possibility somewhere in my consciousness, but never gave it serious consideration. So I did some internet research and without jumping to self-diagnosis or conclusion, I am now more aware of the real possibility.

It would explain so much of his behaviour and the fact that one of the diagnosing factors is that the symptoms must be present before the age of 7.. which it has been, pretty much since birth. Its not enough to say that boys will be boys, because in this world of rules and regulations, he will suffer if he doesn't have some help in dealing with it. I am against any use of drugs, although I would consider alternative remedies. It may be that he will have to come home again, for home education, and from what I've read, the symptoms of ADHD lessen with age.

I don't know if I will suggest this to the school as of yet, but will wait to see what they propose. He would of course have to be assessed by several professionals for a period of time before any diagnosis can be made. The thing that made me cry today though, when reading about it, was that we may have been unfairly blaming him, his 'personality' for a neurological impairment that he most likely was born with. While I'm writing, I'm listening to a song, with a line that just said 'you can't change what your given, but you can go where the river flows' (Grow, by Kubb) and that's made me cry as well. I'm reminded once again of the limits of my compassion and the filters on my own mind.

feeling gratitude

Saturday was one of those days where I just felt so full up, blissed out. Full and satisfied with life. Too often this is a fleeting feeling, with the mind chattering on about all sorts. But that day while lying with my sleeping baby girl, with my son happily playing with his older cousin, I just felt a surge of complete contenment and gratitude.

I feel blessed that on more days than not, I can look at the world optimistically, compassionately. I am happy that on some days I can have compassion for myself too, and my failings. It doesn't come easily though, I mean I haven't always been so content. And when I say content, I don't mean snuggled down into the wool. No, I am very much awake. Taking on parenting was not a job I entered into lightly. I look at it as a spiritual path in itself. My children are my teachers. Who after all can push your buttons as quickly and effectively as your children?

And that's where my practice is at. My children, and my response to them show me where I'm most stuck. Meditating and practicing Buddhism for just about 10 years now has changed my world view entirely. I still lose my composure, especially when its pouring down rain and I have to walk my son to school because I don't have a car etc.. But I am reminded that equanimity and compassion are the keys to a happy, satisfying life.