Part of me wants to argue:
The adults were very well aware of my position and it's a brother's job to pick on his little sisters, isn't it? Imagine all the turkeys sitting on tables around the country this Thursday, naked and cooked with wings and legs exposed. Does it really harm a 4 year old to state the obvious, that's a dead bird...? If you are afraid knowing the true nature of your food's origin will harm your child, maybe you shouldn't be feeding that to your child?
But the truth is people don't want to have disturbing thoughts associated with their food, especially on Thanksgiving. I guess I have been so passionate about veganism that I forgot the compassion for people and even my family. Sometimes I wonder what Hawkin's level this passion is vibrating at
Allow your family to enjoy their food this holiday. It will do no good to have your arguments looming around. Even the thought itself that the best diet for their health is to eliminate all animal products is very disturbing. It is disturbing to consider this because animal products are such an integrated and intimate part of their lives. To suggest that it shouldn't be is threatening. So, do your family a favor and let them enjoy their food. Offering your delicious vegan food with no expectation seems to me to be the best thing you can do.
There are some people with which in the right venue you can have a healthy debate with and share information such as The China study. But, if you choose to do that, be very careful. Involving their children is definitely not your decision.
If you want to have influence on the children of your extended family, maybe try something such as if they are trying to decide whether to watch the movie Cars or Open Season. Suggest Open Season. Many children's movies relay the message: Finding Nemo, Chicken Run, Madagascar, etc...