Often the first step that a young vegetarian must take is to receive permission from the parents. Although you may think that you are independent from your parents and you don't need their permission to make life choices for yourself, you actually do. Your parents are the ones who buy your groceries for you and do most of the cooking (but not always) in the house. To be a vegetarian, your parents will need to make changes in the way they shop for food and cook meals. This is why you must talk with them.
Explain to them why you have decided to be a vegetarian and you would like their support. Some parents will be very impressed that you have made such a big decision at such a young age and have approached them maturely. Other parents may not be as welcoming to the idea. If your parents do not like the prospect of having to make vegetarian meals, buy vegetarian food at the store, or just you being a vegetarian, sit down and have a serious talk with them. Tell them that you have been considering this for a long time and it is very important to you that they help you with this lifestyle change. Also, do a little bit of research before you speak with them to become comfortable with some of the topics you are going to bring up during the discussion (such as some meals you will be willing to make and helping make some changes in the grocery list).
Make sure that your parents realize that you can still grow up as a healthy young kid even with a vegetarian diet, as long as you get the right types of food into your body. I realize that doing some research on vegetarianism isn't always easy, especially when it comes to finding trustworthy sources. I have made the effort to perform some of the research for you to jump-start the process. The following are some links I want you to read over that I hope will help you talk to your parents more confidently.
- http://www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/vegetarian_diets_print.html
- http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-vegetarian-diet (click through the slide show)
- http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/vegetarian.html
- http://www.vegetariannutrition.org/food-pyramid.pdf
- Do your research
- Approach your parents calmly and respectfully
- Speak confidently
- Don't give up
- Be willing to help and compromise
- Be grateful if they give you the OK
