Raising Awareness
O
ver eight years ago, I became the mother of a beautiful baby boy. Today, my son is just as beautiful in my eyes, and when I look at how he has grown on a strict vegan diet, I smile with great pride. Taking on the responsibility of becoming a parent is challenging, yet in many ways just as rewarding, especially when you make the effort to instill humane values in your child.
MOTHER ACTIVIST I have made it my mission to enlighten my son and others about kindness and compassion towards animals and the environment, and there are a variety of easy, fun ways for parents to do this. For example, this past Halloween when I took my son trick-or-treating, we kept all the candy that was vegan and the rest was sent to his school, which was collecting candy to donate to troops in Iraq. I also read books to my son about different animals and how to be kind to them, and have visited his classroom to do the same. Additionally, instead of going to zoos, which exploit wildlife, my son and I often go on nature walks, so he can learn about animals in their natural habitats. We also visit wildlife sanctuaries and shelters
24 2010 COMPASSION INTO ACTION
that help abandoned and abused animals. My home state of New Jersey, and neighboring Pennsylvania and New York, have numerous animal rescues that provide sanctuary to many different kinds of animals, such as cows, horses, tigers, fox, deer, rabbits, eagles, and owls, who are of particular interest to my son because of their fascinating calls. I was also happy to learn that my son’s elementary school is raising money for a local sanctuary that is home to many cats and dogs, as well as abandoned circus and zoo animals. This is a great opportunity to teach children how animals often suffer for entertainment purposes and how they can be helped—a valuable lesson for kids of all ages. Other ways of reminding others to be compassionate towards animals can be as simple as dressing your child in clothes with a message. This is a great way to let others know how you and your child feel about animals. One of my favorite shirts that my son wore as a toddler had a great vegetarian message: “Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends.” I’ve also hosted animal-themed parties for my son, where party-goers can taste vegetarian and vegan food, as well as participate in art projects and games that encourage them to think about animal characteristics and emotions.
ALL PHOTOS BY ISTOCKPHOTO
Instilling Humane Values in Children By Nicole Green