Vape in front of your children?

[PersonaNonSmoka]

Afternoon all. I was just curious about those vapers out there with children. Do you vape around them? Having only recently started vaping (couple of weeks in), I do not. I never smoked around my son (he is 3) and in fact, he never actually saw me smoke, by design. These feelings kind of carry over now that I'm vaping. He's at the "I want to do everything Daddy does" stage, and I don't feel comfortable vaping around him.

What say you folks? Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying that it is necessarily a bad thing, just not something I myself practice. Any and all comments welcome.

Thanks!

 

[SilentScreams]

I don't have kids of my own (still looking for the wife) but, I do have a niece(not blood related). She's 4 and her mother smokes. Her whole family smokes. When she visits I wouldn't smoke if she was in the same room. I would usually go into the kitchen and smoke there while she was in the living room watching TV or something.

Since I've stopped smoking and started vaping I haven't really done that. Now the only time I wont vape is when she decides she wants to sit on my lap and watch TV or play with my computer while I'm trying to do something.

 

[Drael]

Hmmm, it depends on how you represent it I suppose. I know alot of children end up having positive attitudes towards alcohol thinking of it as a sort of "mental medicine" for adults because their parents have similar attitudes to a wine or beer.

So i think its more about the attitude you represent it with, and whether you explain it or not, in simple language. Children are going to encounter all sorts of things in the actual world, sooner or later. And they can usually understand alot more than parents generally give them credit for.

 

[PersonaNonSmoka]

Hmmm, it depends on how you represent it I suppose. I know alot of children end up having positive attitudes towards alcohol thinking of it as a sort of "mental medicine" for adults because their parents have similar attitudes to a wine or beer.

So i think its more about the attitude you represent it with, and whether you explain it or not, in simple language. Children are going to encounter all sorts of things in the actual world, sooner or later. And they can usually understand alot more than parents generally give them credit for.

Interesting...I do drink in front of him (big fan of craft brews, especially IPA's), and he knows it's beer, and I've also explained to him that it is for grown-ups only. Granted, I'm not pounding a 12 pack and getting wasted, but I don't see any issue with daddy have a glass of beer with dinner.

 

[cocacola31173]

My kids are teenagers so I do vape in front of them. I told them it just like my cigarettes and they are not to touch them. They understood and are completly fine with that. I don't get it. When I was a kid I never question about my parents about anything they did...I knew better.

 

[Los Marauder]

Honesty, honesty, honesty, is the key with kids. As an x-boxing coach, foster parent, and adoptive parent, I can tell you that when your kids get older, they ARE gonna try all the forbidens. Hopefully, as parents, we have given them the knowledge to judge wisely for themself as to the harm these do. If your kids find out you have hidden vaping from them, their curiosity will eventualy catch up. Most kids know that what some do, is not right. Trust me, "dads and moms" can fit into that catagory fine as long as they explain why its not good for the next generation.

 

[jerseyrob]

My daughter is 12, and loves that I have switched to vapeing . She hated analogs with a passion, but when I buy a new juice she's the first one to ask for a smell of it. I dont blow steam in her face, but yes I do vape around her.

 

[Robino1]

My grand kids have seen my struggle with cigs. I do vape in front of them and they know that it is keeping me from going back to cigs. They do understand and are genuinely happy that I have quit smoking. Kids do understand a lot more than we give them credit for.

 

[Drael]

Interesting...I do drink in front of him (big fan of craft brews, especially IPA's), and he knows it's beer, and I've also explained to him that it is for grown-ups only. Granted, I'm not pounding a 12 pack and getting wasted, but I don't see any issue with daddy have a glass of beer with dinner.

As a small example - my brother drinks beer. Usually just one or two at a time. I am sure their child knows that its for grown ups, but he at his young age has come to regard beer in an entirely positive light - a sort of mental medicine for stress or unhappiness - for adults, basically as a "treat". I am not even sure my brother is aware of this, or that he would regard it as any issue.

This doesn't accurately represent the nature of beer, that it is an unnessasary habit, and not a health food, or medicine, or equivilant to putting your feet up, or having a hot bath. While in moderation its not terribly unhealthy, it is a drug.

To some degree such normativeness is unavoidable, because its how many veiw alcohol, being the most popular drug in western civilisation, but all the same, this normativeness will incline imitative behaviour in later life.

Vaping is mildly habituating (much less than smoking), and mildly unhealthy (approximately as bad as a full on coffee habit).

Are you sure your veiwing these two habits objectively? maybe you have carry over guilt from the social stigma of smoking?

I would personally just give a little explaination of both of these habits.

"This is called vaping. Vaping is something some adults, former smokers, do to replace their smoking, and to relax, because its not nearly as bad for you as smoking - but people who don't vape or smoke do better at relaxing without it.
And vaping is a bit addictive (ie hard to stop once you start) so your better off not ever trying it, even as an grown up. Life is better without it, its just something I do, because I used to smoke, thats even harder to stop, and I don't want to smoke anymore"

"Beer is something some adults drink to relax, or as a treat, but grown ups who don't drink beer relax well and enjoy themselves just fine without it too"

"Both these things aren't very bad for you, but aren't good for you either. They are definately for adults only"

Something like that....(very roughly). Just so the objective veiw is had, for when the child makes their own decisions later in life.

They would then know well enough, not to worry for you (unduely, seeing as these are both low harm activities), but also to take their own choices with some wisdom and gravity when its their turn.

 

[Ken62]

When my kids were little we smoked around them and were taught that smoking was an adult activity, just like drinking adult beverages. We never smoked in the house, but they knew we were smokers. Now I only have 1 in the house and she is 17, she is tickled pink that we are vapers and not smokers.

I have no problem with my young family members knowing that I am a vaper and I don't explain myself to them. My niece asked me why I still smoke, I told her that what I have is not a cigarette and she seems satisfied (she is 7).

 

[erinspeed]

I vape around my kids all the time. They know its a "grown up thing" just like my occasional vodka tonic. I'm not doing anything wrong or harmful, so why hide? I did go to the garage to smoke, back in the smoker days.

 

[daw840]

My daughter is only 10 months old so yes, I vape around her all the time. I don't really think it's that big of a deal honestly. Secondhand vapor dissipates very quickly and as long as you don't give them mouth to mouth with it or something it's not like they are going to get hooked on nicotine or something....lol

 

[GraCnT]

Hi! I have a 22 yr old daughter and a just shy of 8yr old boy. They both hated smoking and worried for my health.. I had (had!) bronchial asthma.. They are the reason along with health and cost that i switched and have stuck with vaping. They are proud of me.. Being a 30yr smoker, it was ingrained and i truly am a better person with nicotine than w/o laugh.. Yes, I do vape in front of them. I dont blow it in his face lol but yes, they are in the room. I feel vaping is safe, and i consider it a positive choice over smoking. It dissipates quickly and in most cases smells great! now if they had an allergic reaction to it, then i would stop vaping with them home.. But alls good here! Now smoking? That i did outside. Rain, snow.. Cold,, heat... Ugh. I am so so happy i found vaping. And, so are my lungs

 

[PersonaNonSmoka]

As a small example - my brother drinks beer. Usually just one or two at a time. I am sure their child knows that its for grown ups, but he at his young age has come to regard beer in an entirely positive light - a sort of mental medicine for stress or unhappiness - for adults, basically as a "treat". I am not even sure my brother is aware of this, or that he would regard it as any issue.

This doesn't accurately represent the nature of beer, that it is an unnessasary habit, and not a health food, or medicine, or equivilant to putting your feet up, or having a hot bath. While in moderation its not terribly unhealthy, it is a drug.

To some degree such normativeness is unavoidable, because its how many veiw alcohol, being the most popular drug in western civilisation, but all the same, this normativeness will incline imitative behaviour in later life.

Vaping is mildly habituating (much less than smoking), and mildly unhealthy (approximately as bad as a full on coffee habit).

Are you sure your veiwing these two habits objectively? maybe you have carry over guilt from the social stigma of smoking?

I would personally just give a little explaination of both of these habits.

"Vaping is something some adults do to replace their smoking, and to relax, because its not nearly as bad for you as smoking - but people who don't smoke or vape do better at relaxing without it - and its a bit addictive (ie hard to stop once you start) so your better off not ever trying it, even as an grown up. Life is better without it, its just something I do, because I used to smoke, and I don't want to do that anymore"

"Beer is something some adults drink to relax, or as a treat, but people who don't drink relax and enjoy themselves just fine without it"

"Both these things aren't very bad for you, but aren't good for you either. They are for adults only etc"

Something like that....(very roughly). Just so the objective veiw is had, for when the child makes their own decisions later in life.

Excellent reply, thanks! I have no doubt that I'm NOT viewing the two activities objectively, but am trying to differentiate the two. Having only been off the analogs for a couple of weeks, it's not, at least for me, just flipping a switch in terms of the "stigma". I think it will get there, so I'm not too worried about it.

I think if it's explained in simple terms he can understand (not unlike the beer explanation), then it should go well....now just to ask my wife's permission I'm teasing...or am I? I can't be sure anymore.

Thanks for the thoughtful replies everyone, keep them coming!

 

[Vash]

I vape in front of my kids all the time and have explained to my four year old that daddy does this instead of smoking real cigarettes and now I wont get sic or die and now daddy will be here for alot longer than if he did still smoke Be honest with kids they are a lot smarter than some people might think .

 

[PersonaNonSmoka]

I vape in front of my kids all the time and have explained to my four year old that daddy does this instead of smoking real cigarettes and now I wont get sic or die and now daddy will be here for alot longer than if he did still smoke Be honest with kids they are a lot smarter than some people might think .

I think he's smarter than me already

 

[Vash]

I think he's smarter than me already

LOL Tell me about it Im so happy that I vape now and love the fact that if my kids to try to smoke when they get older I can teach them how it is so much better for them and they wont have to spend half their lives putting so many nasty chemicals into their body

 

[PersonaNonSmoka]

LOL Tell me about it Im so happy that I vape now and love the fact that if my kids to try to smoke when they get older I can teach them how it is so much better for them and they wont have to spend half their lives putting so many nasty chemicals into their body

I hear that...maybe we can squash it before it starts. Just noticed you are in Tucson...I grew up down there and still have family in the area. Cheers!

 

[xanderxman]

I vape in front of my 6 year old son. When I smoked I always did it outside but he still knew I was smoking. I am a fan of being honest with kids, especially these days. They can get online and discover an entire world of things, vaping included so I feel it best to educate them myself. He knows it replaces my cigs and it is making me healthier. He was proud that I switched. I also drink beer in front of him.

My childhood has had everything to do with how I choose to raise my son. My parents never smoked and never drank in front of me. The two subjects were never breached in our house until we were teenagers. And then we were told not to do it. What are the first two things you think I did at college? You guessed it. I had never been exposed to it or really talked to about it so of course, as human nature seems to do, I was drawn to them when I was away from home and able to make my own decisions.

I feel that educating kids early and explaining the good and bad points of smoking (not that there are any good points there), drinking, sex, etc. goes a long way to helping them form reasonable opinions. Hiding it makes it the first thing they want to try because mom and dad simply said not to.

And with today's kids the internet plays a role that did not exist when I was coming up. My son can browse the internet just as well as I can and probably knows a few tricks I don't. As an example, he recently lost his computer and Xbox time for the night due to a minor incident with not being totally honest. He oddly accepted the punishment without argument. He proceeded to ask his sister if he could use her iPod to play an educational game we had downloaded for him. Of course she agreed. I go to check on him in his room a few minutes later and he had accessed the App Store, downloaded the YouTube app and was contently watching the videos he would have watched on the computer had he not lost the ability to use the computer. Pretty ingenious for a 6 year old. I was strangely proud of the boy.

My point is, kids today are going to learn things one way or another and I would much rather be in control of how, when and what they learn to the extent possible.

 

[Vash]

I vape in front of my 6 year old son. When I smoked I always did it outside but he still knew I was smoking. I am a fan of being honest with kids, especially these days. They can get online and discover an entire world of things, vaping included so I feel it best to educate them myself. He knows it replaces my cigs and it is making me healthier. He was proud that I switched. I also drink beer in front of him.

My childhood has had everything to do with how I choose to raise my son. My parents never smoked and never drank in front of me. The two subjects were never breached in our house until we were teenagers. And then we were told not to do it. What are the first two things you think I did at college? You guessed it. I had never been exposed to it or really talked to about it so of course, as human nature seems to do, I was drawn to them when I was away from home and able to make my own decisions.

I feel that educating kids early and explaining the good and bad points of smoking (not that there are any good points there), drinking, sex, etc. goes a long way to helping them form reasonable opinions. Hiding it makes it the first thing they want to try because mom and dad simply said not to.

And with today's kids the internet plays a role that did not exist when I was coming up. My son can browse the internet just as well as I can and probably knows a few tricks I don't. As an example, he recently lost his computer and Xbox time for the night due to a minor incident with not being totally honest. He oddly accepted the punishment without argument. He proceeded to ask his sister if he could use her iPod to play an educational game we had downloaded for him. Of course she agreed. I go to check on him in his room a few minutes later and he had accessed the App Store, downloaded the YouTube app and was contently watching the videos he would have watched on the computer had he not lost the ability to use the computer. Pretty ingenious for a 6 year old. I was strangely proud of the boy.

My point is, kids today are going to learn things one way or another and I would much rather be in control of how, when and what they learn to the extent possible.

I agree completely ,I would rather be honest and tell my kids about all the bad things in this world as well as all the good instead of sugar coating things.I think had my parents done this I good have saved my self a lot of wasted time making bad decisions and having to wrtk twice as hard to get things back on track.