Skip to main content

Explaining the dangers of Smoking to Children

I used to smoke.  I stopped the minute I found out I was expecting Maxi nine years ago.  But I do know how hard if can be to stop smoking. I  do not want to judge people who smoke, but Maxi has a chest condition and it is important that he is not exposed to cigarette smoke and also that he understands the dangers of smoking. 



My Mum also smoked in fact she died of smoking related complications and it was horrible.  Both my mother in law and father in law smoke, but have really cut down.  

This makes discussing smoking and its dangers a double edged sword as I do not want to make the boys too frightened for the lives of their remaining grandparents.

First of I talked about how when Nana, Grandad and Grandma started smoking we didn't know that it was dangerous and that it is very addictive, which is why people find it so hard to stop.

We discussed the fact that if they want to keep up with their sports how smoking can affect the lungs and make it hard to breath.

I want the boys to know that it is OK to ask questions about smoking, but it is NOT OK to smoke.

For me a big part of this discussion has been talking to the boys about peer pressure and knowing that it is OK to be different to other children and to feel that they are strong enough to make their own decisions and to stand by them.  

I also want the boys to understand that it is much harder to look at quitting smoking than it is to not start in the first place.

I have looked on the web and can not find information about discussing smoking with younger children and I really do not want to show then images of lungs etc, but I do want them to understand the dangers and to not have to have this conversation once they have tried smoking.  I think for me it is much better to discuss it now and head it off at the pass, rather than try and stop then if they ever start.

What would you do? 



Comments

  1. Try googling in smoking lessons for children. I found many sites but did not look at them all. One that I did check out was TeacherVision.fen.com. It might have something of interest for you.

    Myra, from Canada, where we are enjoying mild autumn temps.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My daughter made my parents quit smocking when she got upset and told them she did not want them to died, she was 3 at the time. They quit then and there.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love comments and will try to respond to all

Popular posts from this blog

Win a XXL'MAN SIZE' Faux Leather Bean Bag for Fathers Day

I have a fab competition for you to win a  Man Sized Bean Bag just in time for Fathers Day from Bean Bag Bazaar , which is worth £69.99. We are big fans of bean bags as they make perfect additional seating and can be popped in the garage when not in use and we are looking forward to reviewing one in Maxi's new bedroom . a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dumping the tumble dryer and Ecoforce giveaway

We have a tumble dryer, but it broke before christmas and we  couldn't afford to get it repaired, so I have been managing with an old fashioned wooden clothes rail and hanging bedding over the doors to dry, This last would of weeks however, I have been hanging the washing outside and it has been drying much quicker and with less creases, so I am going to take the plunge and instead of getting the dryer replaced I am going to give it away. Ecoforce heard me on twitter bemoaning the fact that I was chasing laundry round the garden as my pegs were not working and very kindly sent me some of their Ecoforce pegs to try and they have been fab. So in conjunction with Ecoforce I have a year's supply of green cleaning and washing up wonder products worth £50 comprising the following: EcoForce Peg Basket x 1 EcoForce Clothes Line x1 EcoForce Pegs x 2 packs Several of each of: EcoForce sponges, scourer...

Win a £60 Amazon Voucher with Barclaycard Freedom Rewards and A Thrifty Mum

Barclaycard Freedom Reward Card asked me to take their  60 second survey to see what shopping tribe I was part off .   Barclaycard and Brunel University have collaborated to research the modern way in which we shop and how UK shoppers can now be defined into four new shopping tribes.  I am a Bargain Hunter Gatherer: You're an expert at collecting the best tools, voucher codes and loyalty cards to make your budget go as far as possible, week in, week out. While the kids are doing their homework, you're doing yours - grabbing the best savings for your family. Key facts about you: You're most likely to be female, married or living with your partner and living in the north of the UK. You lot are busy. Two thirds of you cleverly juggle your home, work and financial life. You're not easily tempted by big discounts, only 35% of you have ever bought a non-essential item you didn't need because of a special offer. Home really is where the heart is - 42% of you...