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01-17-2013 at 1:00 PM
Hopeful201...
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Third Hand Smoke

So I've been stressing about this issue for the past few days now, ever since I came across articles and videos about the dangers of third hand smoke. My in-laws are smokers and they smoke in their home and their car. After researching third hand smoke, it is a big concern to me to have my DD and DS around it. Am I being too overprotective? I can't keep my kids from my in-laws, and I wouldn't ever do that, but I am concerned that their bad habit could have an effect on my kids health, and I don't like that at all. :( What should I do? Should I confront them about my findings and express my concern? Or should my husband talk to them about it since it is his parents? He did get somewhat defensive when I brought it up to him, but he did say he would back me and support my decisions. I just feel like it is a lose/lose situation for me because either my kids are exposed and their health at risk when they are around them or my in-laws get mad at me and think I'm ridiculous! I'm just not sure how my inlaws would react to this all, but my kids are my number 1 priority so to me it is more important to protect them!

TIA!


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01-17-2013 at 1:10 PM
mabenner1
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This is a very personal decision. Some parents are adamant, and don't let their child around any known sources of third hand smoke at all. I am more lax. My inlaws smoke in their home, and DS goes over there at least once a month. He has done overnights there. My MIL does not smoke in the house when he is there, so he is never exposed to second-hand smoke. He doesn't ride in their cars either. DH and I smoke, but not in our home or in our vehicles.

You could always ask them to quit, but no one quits until they are personally ready to do it. Sometimes a grandchild is a great catalyst for this change. But you can't make them, guilt them, or anything else. And don't be disappointed if they say no.


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01-17-2013 at 1:12 PM
kfrix13
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If you are really concerned, just tell them and ask that they come over to your house to visit instead of having LO go to their house.

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01-17-2013 at 2:05 PM
g8trkim
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This is tough. Personally, I would avoid bringing kids to their homes or in their cars until they are older. If they smoked outside that would be one thing, but inside... no. If they invite you over, you (or DH) may just want to nicely say you would rather them come to your house to avoid exposing LO to smoke.

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01-17-2013 at 2:11 PM
irishsmile...
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I could have written that post myself! (In fact I did a few days ago!)

I have the same issue! If you want to PM me maybe we can chat. 

In a nutshell, I hear your concerns and Im freaked about it, too- but I am also trying to keep things in perspective.  


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01-17-2013 at 4:14 PM
abbp23
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Not trying to sound like a b*tch but screw how everyone else feels about it and protect your kid! If they really want to see LO then they wont smell like smoke! It can do so much damage to underdeveloped respiratory systems. DH and I both used to smoke and its fine and dandy to subject yourself to that but kids can't protect themselves from it and have no choice but to breath what you make them. Being a mom means protecting your kid and not always making everyone happy. 

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01-17-2013 at 4:41 PM
Tennis Chi...
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abbp23:
Not trying to sound like a b*tch but screw how everyone else feels about it and protect your kid! If they really want to see LO then they wont smell like smoke! It can do so much damage to underdeveloped respiratory systems. DH and I both used to smoke and its fine and dandy to subject yourself to that but kids can't protect themselves from it and have no choice but to breath what you make them. Being a mom means protecting your kid and not always making everyone happy. 

Yep, pretty much all of this. It blows me away people smoke anymore with all of the known health risks and help to quit out there but I'll step off my soapbox :) 
I would be all hell no about my LO going over there and exposing him to that. IL's can come over to your house.


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01-17-2013 at 6:29 PM
kateraid
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abbp23:
Not trying to sound like a b*tch but screw how everyone else feels about it and protect your kid! If they really want to see LO then they wont smell like smoke! It can do so much damage to underdeveloped respiratory systems. DH and I both used to smoke and its fine and dandy to subject yourself to that but kids can't protect themselves from it and have no choice but to breath what you make them. Being a mom means protecting your kid and not always making everyone happy. 

 

this. I grew up with both parents smoking in the home and after my brother and I both had asthma machines to aid our breathing they stopped smoking in the house. Haven't had a breathing issue since. It's not worth it. I wouldn't let DS near my mom because she still often smelled of smoke and I let her know when I was pregnant. After 40 years of smoking, DS was reason enough for her to quit! It will be a year in march she's been smoke free. 


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01-18-2013 at 10:15 AM
pamiva1
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I will not/would not allow  my children in a home where people smoked. There have been documented studies of the risks. I also understand that you don't want to keep your children from their grandparents. If it were me, I would have your husband talk to him, explain how you feel, and offer that they can visit in your home in clean clothes with no smoke on them. They may get offended, but it's the best decision for your children and that's more important than people's feelings.

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01-18-2013 at 11:07 AM
RissKay
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YGPM! :) 

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01-19-2013 at 8:40 AM
ObLaDi
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pamiva1:
I will not/would not allow  my children in a home where people smoked. There have been documented studies of the risks. I also understand that you don't want to keep your children from their grandparents. If it were me, I would have your husband talk to him, explain how you feel, and offer that they can visit in your home in clean clothes with no smoke on them. They may get offended, but it's the best decision for your children and that's more important than people's feelings.

This. We are fortunate that we are not close with any smokers, so we're not in the position of offending many people. My BIL does smoke; he lives out of state but is visiting this weekend to meet the baby. We told him that he needs to wear clean, smoke-free clothing if he'd like to hold him. 


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