Innocently, completely innocently. My husband and I have mentioned here and there that someday we will need to explain the sources of meat, chicken, fish etc. to the kids and wondered how it would come about. Well, it happened this morning. I was blindsided. While driving. Almost spit my coffee out. Here is the conversation:
Mom: Honey, please get into the van so I can shut the door as the mosquitoes are coming in.
Daughter minutes later: Mom, why are there mosquitoes?
Mom: Birds and Bats like to eat them.
Daughter: Why?
Mom: Because that is what they eat. They are a part of the food chain
Daughter: What is a food chain?
Mom: Well, that is when one animal is the food for the other animal, usually a bigger one.
Daughter: What eats birds? Oh, Azzy and Rachel do (our cats)
Mom: That is right honey and bigger birds eat birds and even some crocodiles and alligators in countries where they live.
Daughter: Who eats the bigger animals?
Mom (almost spit coffee out now): Uh, well, other big animals and uh, people.
Daughter: What big animals do people eat?
Pause………….pause…………..thinking……unprepared
Mom: Well….
Daughter: We eat fish but that is the only animal.
Mom: Where do you think bacon comes from?
Daughter: The store.
Mom: True, but first from a pig and beef comes from a cow.
Daughter: You’re teasing mom.
Mom: Do you know what the Bison is that we eat?
Daughter: No.
Mom: It is a Buffalo.
Daughter: You are teasing me…..Mom, is that a station wagon?
Mom: Yes it is honey.
So, now what? this will not be the end. We have not even hit on Chicken, Turkey etc. I am not saying that they should not understand but I wonder how have you handled this? Even if you are a vegetarian, please share your conversations.
My little girl is growing up. sniffle and smile.
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