Mum furious after vegetarian daughter was given meat by grandmother

A mum has sparked a fierce online debate after venting about how her vegetarian daughter was fed meat by her grandmother.

The woman explained that she was staying at her parent's house with her two-and-a-half year old daughter, when she realised that her mum had fed the little girl a bacon quiche. She said that her daughter, who she and her partner are raising vegetarian, often spends time with her grandparents - but now she is concerned about what happens when she's not there. She wrote on Mumsnet:

"I'm so annoyed that my mum, knowing my parenting wishes, has gone behind my back. "My daughter spends a fair bit of time here and I wonder what else happens when my back is turned."

The mum added that if her daughter chooses to eat meat later in life, she's fine with that - and it's something she's ready to address in the future. She continued:

"If my daughter had chosen to eat meat that's fine and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but it was just put down in front of her so she ate it. "Currently my daughter knows some people eat animals but says she doesn't think that's kind so as far as it goes that's my lead that she wants to continue the way she's been brought up at the moment. "If that changes then fine if it's her choice to change."

The Mumsnet user added that while she sees her parents often, they don't have a huge emotional connection. And because they often babysit, she isn't sure how to mention what happened - or even if she should. She said that she normally supplies food for her daughter to eat, but the little girl had unexpectedly announced she was hungry. She added:

"I saw my mum get the quiche out of the fridge, look at me then shrug and give it to my daughter. "Worst thing is my little girl had actually said she wanted beans on toast so she didn't even have to give her quiche. "Does she do this every time??"

The responses to her initial question were mixed, with some people advising her how to gently address the conversation with her mum - and others questioning the decision to raise the little girl vegetarian. One person said:

"She's too young to decide. Her being vegetarian is for your benefit. "But I do agree your child should not be given meat behind your back ."

Another added:

"She shouldn't have given something that goes against your parenting. "However no matter what you say its not a 2 year old's choice to restrict her diet."

Someone else agreed:

"It definitely is disrespectful for your mother not adhering to your parenting choices even though she doesn’t agree with them."