Living near other veg families

[tronica]

Hi Peach!

Yes, I can't imagine being veg factors into living decisions when there are so many other factors determining where people choose to live. eg. we are where we are because the in-laws bought an investment flat and were looking in a particular area between their house and the city. So, here we are, renting from them!

But, since we've been here ages and are thinking of moving in next year or two, it's something I'm wondering about.

I'm lucky that a lot of my friends in Melbourne are veg friendly (though most aren't veg). I only have to cope with questions about my diet when I visit my family in Perth. They are a little backward in the west

[tronica]

You're right, Aliash, there is more to us than veganism and concentrating just on that would not really help. Kind people, who are respectful even if they don't share the same views, would be great - and in a way, children need to be around diverse people otherwise they will get a shock in later life when they discover everyone isn't the same as them

As a single couple with various friends with infants and toddlers, socialising does tend to change so that the friends with kids spend more time with other families than with us singles. In fact, thinking about it, all my veg friends are childless like us - although we are married, most of our friends aren't married and many are single, yet they are all in their 30s. Quite a few woman who've told me they aren't interested in being mothers or having children or settling down too. So, in all likelihood, our friendship group will change a bit when we have kids.... yet my friends with kids are more mainstream in their values, including vegetarianism, but also politically. I do have friends with kids who are eco-conscious (eg. cloth nappies and other things) and friends who've breastfed for longer than standard - and who have used gentle parenting methods. I'm sure i'd be able to bond on those levels regardless of the veg factor.

It's all very exciting anyway!

[Peach*]

Tron- You put a smile on my face
And Aliash- You totally rock! Your a great poster girl for all the veg Mums out here

[tronica]

Glad to make you smile!

All I can think of is babies when what I need to do is finish my PhD...

[*Ash*]

Aaah shucks! You are so kind Peach. I feel like a poster girl for zombies this morning.....

All I can think of is babies when what I need to do is finish my PhD...

Ah, yes, that is one of the hazards of deciding to have a baby...you can become obsessed with baby thoughts at all times of the day and night! Even after having my first baby, I was already thinking about when I was going to have the next one! How long until you finish your PhD?

Our friendship group changed when we had our first baby. I just wanted to be with other new mums. Some of the most amazing, intelligent and compassionate women (and men) that I know have told me that they are never going to have kids (for various reasons, eg. some are adamant that they don't want kids, others 'missed the boat' so to speak), and I feel that they are people who should be having kids because thay have so much to offer....

We have friends who share our politics and most of our values (minus the veganism!) but do not have kids; or we have friends who are vegan and don't have kids; or friends who have kids but aren't vegan and don't give a brass razoo about politics...or friends who are vegetarian, have kids and share our politics but are moving to Melbourne.... But thankfully, it is possible to find some common ground with most people! I just fragment myself. I guess you all know what it is like - there are some people that you would never raise particular topics with, and you just 'quarantine' those pieces of yourself while you are with that person or you tone it down a bit. Sometimes that is hard, and I feel as though I am compromising myself in some way..

[ciara.e]

Hi ladies!

I just thought i'd pop in and offer my two cents worth LOL.

I live in an area where most of the restaurants around are steak houses or similar. Saying this however, I still take my DD out with me and have dinner out at some of these places, I just ring them before I go and arrange suitable food for us. In fact, most restaurants actually offer loads of vegan or vegetarian foods now. My DD is also allergic to gluten, dairy, citrus etc... so I learned to ring ahead very early on in the picture. I was very flustered and thought hard about moving away early on to live in a more environmentally friendly and vegetarian area. But i realised that any area is what you make of it. We eat a lot of meals at home, and that's great for us. But I don't drink, so for birthdays and special occasions we always go out for dinner. Most people arent judgemental about it.. and the few that have passed judgement on us for being vegetarian have been very quickly put in their place. Overall, it's what makes us happy - that's all we need to worry about.

That said - there's a gorgeous place called the three monkeys, at West End (Brisbane)... vegan and vegetarian food all the way... organic food etc... Mmmmm.. it's a wonderful treat and worth the half hour drive when I do go.

xx

[*Ash*]

Hi ladies!

But i realised that any area is what you make of it.
xx

Yes, I totally agree!


And I will definately try out three monkeys next time I am in Brisbane....