GETTING DAD'S SUPPORT FOR PROJECT

Dear Jellybean,

About 3 months ago I made the switch from vegetarian to vegan. My mother was, and still is, very supportive of me, and buys me my food, soy milk, etc. But my father, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He doesn't respect my beliefs very much, and he gets kinda angry when he hears me talking about it. My mother is now joining me in a cruelty free project. We're not buying or using anything tested on animals. I want to get my father involved too. But I don't know how to get him to support my project. He gets mad pretty easily, and is a bit old-fashioned. Do you know any way I can get him to support me or my cruelty free project? Thanks!!

Dear Writer,

You're very fortunate to have one parent who supports you so strongly, that's wonderful! Good for you and your mom, too, for pursuing your cruelty-free ways. As for your dad, if he's an old-fashioned guy, you might just have to accept him as he is, meat-eating, leather-wearing ways and all. Your dad sounds like a good guy too, but his values and views are different from yours. You can ask him to join you and your mom, by making it sound like a fun family project to do together, but if he's not into it, don't push him. Accept him the way he is, just like he probably accepts you, even though you're quite different people.