What do I do?

Question

So I just moved into a new neighborhood 3 hours away from my family. I wanted to start fresh, new job, new place & new school for my son, well everything was going great up until now.. My son has a best friend, I barely know this kid all I know is his name & that he's a vegetarian, I really want to be a chef so I cook A LOT, I also love baking. since my son is very friendly he invites his friend over everyday after school for dinner. This boy literally eats 3 plates of food & plus dessert, yesterday my son told me that his friend is a vegetarian, I freaked out! So I told him he couldn't bring his friend over for dinner anymore. He cried so I told him I was going to prepare a vegetarian dinner for him next week. Now the problem is that i told him this last week Wednesday its now Monday & this little boy(my sons friend) comes crying to me saying that he HATES being a vegetarian & that he loves my food!! I don't know what to do! Is this abuse?? Should I talk to the school about this? Of course I talk to his mom everyday but if i tell her this I'm pretty sure she's going to get very upset.. She did not tell me her family are vegetarians..

Answer

I'm confused as to what you asking is abuse? The parents being vegetarian?

That being said, I think it is extremely irresponsible of you to not have had a discussion with the parents about what you would be feeding their child. You should never assume, they eat what you eat. Especially since you said that you speak to them everyday.

Answer

Is it possible there's a miscommunication here? I find it hard to believe the parents have not brought up that they eat vegetarian, when they send their child to your house regularly.  I'm thinking maybe the kids don't really know what that word means or overheard something like veternarian,  Presbyterian, librarian or something like that??? 
Talk to the mom!

Answer

I mean it's not abuse. But she shouldn't force a lifestyle on him he doesn't want. But I also wouldn't go behind his mother's back and feed him meat either.

Answer

Poor kid 😕 If I were you, I'd just feed him when he's over. If he's eating you out of house and home, just let him come over once or twice a week for dinner. I find it strange his parents let him stay over so often for dinner. Maybe his parents aren't providing him proper nutrition. My husbands parents are vegetarian and they don't eat proper meals that provide enough nutrition.

Answer

You need to talk to his parents. He could be vegetarian for religious reasons and you shouldn't push him to "eat what you're eating" like some of the ladies have mentioned. Especially if he is younger, he may not realize why he is vegetarian.

Answer

If his parents know your cooking they must know there is a good chance he is eating meat. I would talk to his parents.

Example situation. My child's food is very limited due to allergies. If he eats steak at your house once a week, you would be making him sick. He may LOVE it but he is allergic to it and wil start having exema & breathing issues, vomiting hours later. So depending on their age I would ask the parents. Maybe they don't have money for food or are on a special diet for a special reason. Maybe he just has vegetarian parents and he likes meat!

Answer

Talk to the parents. It should be fine to tell them what happened. The kid didn't tell you before you fed him. They might get upset, but probably not, if you're honest and you let them j ow how bad you feel. Then that opens up the conversation to what you can make. There are a lot of good veggie meals. Check out Pinterest too. 
I wouldn't have thought to ask something like that. I will ask about allergies, but that's it. It's up to the kid to tell me anything other than that. Or the parent if it's that big a deal.

Answer

This is not abuse! He's not being starved and neglected. Abide by his parents wishes and have a discussion with his mother about his dietary needs. Cooking vegetarian food is very easy. I'm vegetarian and my SO still eats meat. I cook things where the meat can be made on the side and added into his portion for dinner.

Answer

I don't think you should go behind the parents back, but I wouldn't blame yourself for feeding him. It's his parents responsibility to make sure that their sons food standards remain the same while at friends houses. I don't agree with parents forcing a certain diet on children either, but that's not really your choice, they should have told you. 
That said, I have learned to cook vegetarian meals in the past year and there are tons of options that include meat substitute that are absolutely delicious, I'm sure you can find something the kid will like.

Answer

I would call the mom and ask about what is allowed and not allowed to eat while at your house.

What do I do?

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