Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosiemay
My daughter is 7 and we cook together (well, I cook, she supervises  ), and this came up naturally one day, as she asked what we were actually preparing, leg of lamb. I was quite clear in my answer but kept it basic, we were eating an animal, a lamb, because we eat meat and that's what happens. They live on farms and have to die for humans to eat. After pondering for a second she said "so they die and their legs are chopped off?". I said "yes". Nothing more was asked until we sat to eat and she said "are we eating a lamb's leg?"
"Yes".
She popped a piece in her mouth and said "Mmmm, yummy  . She wasn't at all troubled and always asks what she is eating now, although I did chuckle when she asked what part an animal did roast chicken come from 
Children ask questions about the world and we shouldn't be afraid of answering them, in a basic easy-to-understand way, nor do I have a problem learning this at school as it's educational about how we live. If the children were upset it was probably at the loss of animal as a pet rather than the actual slaughter, and pets are a good way of teaching children about loss. It happens unfortunately, and it should have been a good way of parents connecting with their children to understand their feelings, instead of the adults acting like hooligans (the Head should have her house burned down? Did someone really write that?  If they did they should have been hauled in for questioning for threatening this)
It could have been a interesting learning experience, but it's meant the loss of an apparently good Headmistress, and that I think is an absolute shame. |
Well said
I know mine have and will react exactly the same way (now aged 10 & 13). Children are far less sentimental when it comes to food than people think, and very well able to cope with the truth. The younger they are introduced to the truth the more straightforward the reaction.
We have an excellent farm shop nearby where you can see the animals in the barn and can clearly explain that when they are big enough they will be killed and sold in the on site shop.
A local butchers has a photograph of the animal with name and age and where it was from for beef sold in the shop.
Hamsters are brilliant class pets because they have a fairly short life and the children can learn about death & loss. Wrapping them up in cotton wool & shielding them from reality will do them no favours whatsoever. Is it any wonder we have a shortage of home grown Doctors & Nurses when learning about illness & death is hidden away.