PLEASE HELP. My mother in law refuses to give up smoking.

Katherine - posted on 03/07/2010

Looks like the OP abandoned this post. I'm going to lock this thread. If you want it for reference just copy and paste the link.

Thank you
Katherine
WtCoM
Administrator

Tammy - posted on 03/07/2010

She may have rights but, you and your daughter also have rights and you have the right to not take your daughter to her house if she continues to disrespect you. Find out which is more important smoking or her grandchild. And let her know which is more important to you.

Julia - posted on 03/07/2010

Ok I don't think her husband has a set....because if he allowed and continues to allow her to smoke POT during and after her pregnancy then he isn't going to say shit to his family. Tabitha....really? Let me tell you something...if I knew you during your pregnancy....let's just say your face ain't pregnant. You disgust me. Seriously grow the F*** up.

Miranda - posted on 03/07/2010

I feel the same way. I don't want my kids around smoke. Nor was I around smoke while I was pregnant. I respect you for not letting it be ok! It's not! I grew up with a smokers in the house, and I smoked until I decided to try for our first baby. Now I can't stand smoke, and it will not be around my kids. The smokers in my family respect me and my kids. I just wouldn't go over to their houses or I would leave when someone lite up. Now they will go outside their own homes to smoke while we are there. My daughter was 6 when she first noticed someone smoking at a red light. 6, I was proud of that, and she was paniced "Mom that man has a stick on fire in his mouth", she had no clue. Then we discussed what a waste of good health that was. Good luck and keep standing your ground.

Cheryl - posted on 03/06/2010

Your husband needs to step up and say the tough things to his family. Ultimately, you are your daughter's protector, and you make the decisions for her. Advice is cheap, but if it were me, I would not let her be around my daughter at all if she insists on smoking around her. It's your choice. Don't make it seem harder than it is.
good luck !

Kate CP - posted on 03/06/2010

So, smoking a regular cigarette within 100 ft of your kid is horrendous...but smoking pot while she's still trapped in your drug addled body is just hunky-dory? WTF?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 03/06/2010

Thank you Jodi for posting that link...I have been curious about her whole pot smoking history....I believe before anyone else comments on how right she is...they should read the quote from her.

Kristin - posted on 03/06/2010

Regardless of your history, you have made the decision that it is not okay for your child to be subjected to 2nd and 3rd hand smoke any more than necessary. No, you can not do anything about what she does in her own home or car. You can control whether or not your daughter will be in either of those locations. Calmly explain that you want your daughter to have the best possible chance at a healthy life and being around smokers of ANY kind (sorry but you will probably have to quit the weed to make this work) just is not okay. She is welcome to come visit or you will meet her to visit (choose non-smoking locations). You will need your husband's support in this as well. He should be putting your daughter's health first and ready to tell people the same things you are.



Good luck and stay CALM.

Sharon - posted on 03/06/2010

roll another doobie, puff puff, don't pass and chill

Cindy - posted on 03/06/2010

Stay away from her!

Jodi - posted on 03/06/2010

The pot (no pun intended) calling the kettle black......

You could always consult the last thread you posted about this issue:
http://apps.facebook.com/circleofmoms/we...

Denise - posted on 03/06/2010

That's simple. Don't visit your mother-in-law. She's obviously self-centered and choses to be ignorant about the harmful affects of second hand smoke, especially to children. You can refer her to the websites of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, the American Academy of Pulmonology, and the American Academy of Family Medicine if she needs proof. My experience has been that people like your mother-in-law cannot be reasoned with. Your only chose is avoidance. You owe it to your child.

Denise Johnson, MD

Carolyn - posted on 03/06/2010

u cant force her to stop, but u can stop ur daughter from being around her. my mom and my oldest grandma use to smoke. i told them he was not allowed in their house if they were going to smoke. i also made it a point to walk as far away from them as i could should they choose to smoke outside.

Cheryl - posted on 03/06/2010

is tabitha really an excellent mum for smoking pot whilst pregnant, Lisa?

Krista - posted on 03/06/2010

Wait.......aren't you the one that smoked marijuana while pregnant?

BRANDI - posted on 03/06/2010

Stay at home. Don't go around your mother in law if it is that big of deal to you. After all it is a free country and she is grown. You cannot control her smoking habits but you can control whether your daughter is subjected to it, just stay away.

Jet - posted on 03/06/2010

My friends smoked outside after their son was born. What we didn't know is that the smoke gets on your clothes, and when you hold the baby, it still breathes in the residue. I guess that's the 3rd hand smoke. Anyway, by the time he was two months old, he developed asthma, which can kill you! Be tough. Nobody else can stick up for a kid like their mother!! I'm not perfect, and have done some really bad things around my granddaughter. I almost died and now have a new perspective on how to act!

Lisa - posted on 03/06/2010

I smoke and do not smoke in my own home for the health of my 13 year old son. You stick to your guns and I applaud you for making that baby number 1 regardless of who or what it pisses off in the process. I think you are doing what is best for the baby and that is what makes an EXCELLENT mom! :-)

Debbie - posted on 03/06/2010

Hi Tabitha
I agree with you. Your mother in law doesn't respect your decision not to allow smoking around your precious cargo that you care for.Maybe you should ask her if she enjoys time with her grandchild but if she continues to smoke around her /him then you might have to stop her from coming over or going to their house. the child deserves a good start on a healthy life.I have a granddaughter and if any body smokes around her ,I'll let them have it up one side and down the other.Our family members don't smoke around her.This has never been an issue just respect for the little one and everyone one else.
Good Luck

Pamela - posted on 03/05/2010

lmao!
I don't think your MIL has the right to put your child's health at risk...
But if you seriously smoked pot all through your pregnancy your probably not going to get alot of sympathy on this one.

Kate CP - posted on 03/05/2010

The pothead has issues with second hand smoke. Interesting.

Tiffiney - posted on 03/05/2010

i am agree with the rest. i have a similiar but simpliar situation. my MIL chain smokes too. We only see that side of my family probably once every 2 years. (we live over 20 hour drive apart). i remeber once when my husband would not stand up for my one child at this time and ask his mom not to smoke while we were visiting. i put a coat on my son and we went outside until she quit. my husband got mad but I had to stand up for myself and my son. Maybe if the next time she lights up don't say anything and put a distance between yourselves. Or if you go an visit her (if you can stay sane) stay outside and not go in her house to visit (weather pending) hope this helps.

DeAnn - posted on 03/05/2010

she has every right to smoke where she wants to at her house. if it bothers you just dont bring the baby around her especially at her house

Eleni - posted on 03/05/2010

I understand your situation, this is my advise, take it as you wish. You only have control of You and your child. I have learned that you can not control others as much as you want to. It is really frustrating, I know. At "your" home you can tell people not to smoke in your house. In your car, you can "ask" them not to smoke, or your will have to drive seperately. In "their" home or car they can do as they wish. You have to resepect that, as they should respect you in your home or car. Don't get yourself stressed over it, just take yourself and your child away from it. You have to remember even if you are right, that this is still your husbands Mother, and it will cause alot of tension in your marriage. Don't put your husband in the middle and deal with what you can control. Keep yourself and " your" family healthy, and stress free. Take yourself away from the situation instead. Hope that helps a little. I have a saying " There are only two things in life we can not control, that is our health and other people."

Amie - posted on 03/05/2010

LMAO! I have to agree with Sharon Grey on this one too.

Amber - posted on 03/05/2010

If it's her house she can do whatever it is she wants to do. You have no right to force her to do anything unless it's on your property. Fortunately, there is an alternative, and that is to simply not allow her to see your daughter unless she agrees to your rules.

D - posted on 03/05/2010

I am totally in agreement with you. No smoking around my kids or me. I would just not put my kids in that situation. It may be hard because she is your mother-in-law. If it is her house, you can't tell her she can't smoke. Have get-togethers at your house or some other family member with a no smoking policy. You may have to decide what to do. It's hard, my mother-in-law smokes as well, but we do not see her very often. When they come over, she smokes on my back deck (which I don't like, but live with for the visit). My kids know smoking is unhealthy and hurts your body.

Amanda - posted on 03/05/2010

I would just not let her see her until she actually agrees to not do it. Its very disrespectful towards you and your daughter. It's a simple request and if smoking is more important then let it be by argueing your not getting anywhere. What does your husband have to say. Seriously though she'l get over it if she wants to be a part of her life.

Sharon - posted on 03/05/2010

It's me again, if your MIL has an email address send her information on the effects SHS second hand smoke) has on children. Maybe that will help.

Sharon - posted on 03/05/2010

"GOOD FOR YOU!!!" Stick to your guns and don't back off. I had the same problem when my daughter was four months old. My sister in law kept smoking around my her and I got so pissed at her one day, that I yelled at her to get out of my house and don't come back. She left, and my daughter's father got mad at me. I told him if he didn't want me to kick her out he should have stuck by what I said and he should have told her that he agreed with me. I also told him if he wanted to see his sister he had to see her outside the house. I stuck to what I told her and she never steped foot in my house again. Now people that come to my house go outside when they want to smoke. My house is "SMOKE FREE!" and I love it. I told my land lord not to smoke in my house and she put her cigarette out. I have no ashtrays in my house I gave they all away and there is a sign on my door that sats "NO SMOKING".

Tah - posted on 03/04/2010

lmbo....smoking while riding a horse...this is the best group ever..i mean where else can i get this stuff...lmbo...

Heather - posted on 03/04/2010

its your kid, your rules. if she doesnt like the rules, dont take your kid around her. period end of story. my dad smokes, and i asked him when my son was born to not smoke around my kids, and when we visit he goes outside because he respects our wishes.

Morgan - posted on 03/04/2010

YIKES

I have only been a member a short time but if you were smoking POT while you were pregnant, than no doubt your mother in law would not respect your wishes.

Your nuts and should count your blessings that your child is ok.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 03/04/2010

I must fully agree with Sharon...and LOL...I am kinda looking foward to your deffense on this Tabitha

Sharon - posted on 03/04/2010

Um this is coming from the SAME woman who advocated getting high while pregnant, bragged that she did so and also posted about getting high while horseback riding?

REALLY??????? BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You do need sanity. I don't think you're going to find it here.

Sandy - posted on 03/04/2010

sad that you MIL is a nicotine addict...Looks like she is very selfish & only cares about herself & doenst even respect You or your babys health..Next time she wants to lite up in the car offer her a can of lysol or just tell her you dont want you baby exposed to the nasty fumes in her tiny lungs & offer to meet her when you decide to go out shopping with her...also when you go to her bbq move the baby as far from her smoking as possible(PC,Bring a can of spray so everyone can see how u feel) Dont be shy to spray the air..maybe she will get the message that you dont care to smell her smoke)Then start to cough everytime she lites up..The baby will grow up imitating you..And hopefully everone one else will see the babys effects :)

Charlene - posted on 03/04/2010

I do currently smoke both, but never around my children, I did quit cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant with both my son's, my husbands father smokes and he smokes in his house sometimes, I brought my first son there when he was really little and thought that he would have respect and not smoke with his grandson there, but he did and when I picked him up, I could smell it, so when I got home I told my husband and he had a talk with his dad and said there is to be no smoking around my son, or he will not be coming over to your house. He has stopped smoking when my son is there. When out side in the backyard he did light up a smoke when around my son and my husband did to, I told my husband I don't want it even around him outside, I don't expect them to relocate to the front of the house, just move to the other side of the backyard, and thats what we all do now if we want to smoke outside, with the children present, is move to the other side. That way the smoke is nowhere near the kids.

Myra - posted on 03/04/2010

If your daughter has a health problem, I believe you are completely right that under no circumstance should she or anyone smoke around her. However, you need to get a grip if there's no health problem with your daughter. The only place you can tell people not to do things at is YOUR home. You may not like it -- I don't like that I can't do things about people when I'm around them at their house or out in public, but that's the way it is.

If they are smoking at your house after asking them not to smoke around your daughter, you can do what you want...even tell them to leave. But, coming from a smoker (that does not smoke around kids), you can tell her how bad it is for her or your daughter, but it's just going to make you mad and make her think you're a nag...don't waste your breath saying that to her. What might work is to make her feel less like she's being attacked. Because of everything people do against smoking, many smokers feel very alienated and defensive about the issue of not being able to smoke. It creates an environment of hostility on both sides from smokers and non-smokers alike.

Cheryl - posted on 03/04/2010

Gotta say I agree with Krista.....Sorry but smoking that stuff is much worse (and it stinks a whole lot more) than cigarette smoke...

Jessica - posted on 03/04/2010

I can pretty much guarantee that MIL knows the health risks of smoking not only to herself but also the second hand exposure. Harping on her about it is not going to induce her to quit especially not in her own home. You have to weigh out the negative of your kiddo being exposed to periodic second hand smoke with the positive of what sounds like a fairly engaged and caring grandmother. Please remember that smoking is an addiction and not just a choice. Also, please remember that smokers are not evil people because they smoke.



I also agree with Marina you have to give respect to get respect and it doesn’t sound like you are giving much. I would also ask if you are still smoking pot. An activity that, at least the last time I checked, most people don’t do in their front yards. If so you don’t have a leg to stand on. Pot smoke is just as bad if not worse for your baby than cigarette smoke. You certainly can’t come down on her for smoking through her pregnancies when you did too.



You can make the decision to limit the amount of time that your daughter spends at their home by having them come to your home, or having them do outside visits. I don’t see that you continuing down the track you are on is going to produce positive results for you or your daughter.

Sheelah - posted on 03/04/2010

Most of my extended family smokes, aunts, uncles, some of cousins, and my parents were shown very little respect for them not wanting us exposed to second hand smoke. Obviously if they didn't care about sheltering their own children from second hand smoke, they're not going to care about the odd time they exposed me and brothers to it! So what ended up happening was when someone, who was unwilling to excuse themselves from the group out of respect for my parents wishes, my mom would take us somewhere else. If it means that much to you that you children not be exposed, and nobody is willing to accommodate and respect that, then maybe you'll have to consider taking your daughter somewhere else while your in-laws smoke. It won't be fun having to leave the gathering every few minutes, but you gotta do you gotta do when your the one in the minority!

Tah - posted on 03/04/2010

@krista....wow...at tabitha..i can see kristas point..if you did post that then isn't this somewhat of the pot calling the kettle black and hot and filled with water. you can't dictate what people do esp in their own homes, you can keep your baby home then you have full range over what happens there...

~♥Little Miss - posted on 03/04/2010

I smoked up until each time I got pregnant. I am prego right now, and do not currently smoke. As much as I disagree with other people smoking around my children (I NEVER did), you cannot control other peoples actions. I deffinately don't agree with you keeping your child away from her grandparents..but not allowing her in a smoked filled home is understandable. This means visits will striclty be at your house where they have to smoke outside. And as far as them only disrespecting you, it does not sound like you have much respect for her when you use the F-word...cutting her off before she can finish a sentence...and then you don't understand why she storms off? My advice is, if you want respect, you need to show respect. They will never quit cause you want them too...and quite frankly they shouldn't have to. Krista brough up and excellent point...if it is true...what makes it ok that you smoked pot throughout your pregnancy?



PS - it is your responsibility as a parent to walk away when someone lights up. You are always going to encounter people smoking around entrances to builinds, parking lots by your car, even playgrounds. Are you going to yell at everyone? All you have control of is your actions...do it with a smile on your face.

Tina - posted on 03/04/2010

haha you sound exactly like me! im borderline obsessive and wont let anyone somke within 10metres of my kids,why the hell should we? its our job to look after our childrens intrests no matter what thats our job at the end of the day! good for you for sticking to your guns,dont give in and she will get the message in the end.keep demanding the respect your children deserve,if i can make my disabled father in law somke in the garden when its raining then she can go out there too! youre doing a great job :-)

Krista - posted on 03/04/2010

Um....Tabitha? Remember your post about marijuana from awhile back?

'Cause I do:

I HAVE SMOKED SINCE 12 YRS OLD I AM NOW 21. I SMOKED ALL 40 WEEKS OF MY PREGNANCY IT HELPED GREATLY WITH MY NAUSEA AND SLEEPING.

Gwen - posted on 03/04/2010

I'm with Jessica. Where is your husband in all of this? If you are in her yard and she lights up, you can always pick up the baby and walk to another area for a few minutes. I know it's not ideal, but if hubby isn't backing you up then you just have to do the best you can. Threats and ultimatums won't do any good. All they accomplish are hard feelings and family feuds.

Joanna - posted on 03/03/2010

I agree with the other Joanna :)

Even though I was a smoker (recently quit), I would NEVER smoke even remotely near my daughter (I only smoked if I was alone, if my husband was watching her and I went out with friends or something), and would never let my daughter be with someone who I knew would smoke. Most people can respect that us as mothers take our childrens health seriously, but it sounds like this woman just does not have any respect, so you need to let her know if she wants to be around your daughter, she cannot smoke, and you won't bring your daughter around until she agrees to it.

Jessica - posted on 03/03/2010

Oh Tabitha I feel your pain girl! My MIL doesn't smoke however she does tons of other stuff that drives me nuts. I really think they do it on purpose and the more you let on it bothers you the more they wanna do it!!
I totally agree with everyone else . I would tell her she isn't allowed to visit with your baby until she can respect your wishes. What does your hubby say about It??
I am an ex smoker and when I did smoke I would never have done such a thing. Even in public places if people were around I always moved far away before lighting up.

Tabitha - posted on 03/03/2010

Joanna and Tracy I appreciate that point of view, I NEVER looked at it like that. I just looked at it as what little time they are around her they shouldnt smoke around her. I appreciate that perspective very much, I now can take that matter to different extents and deal with it that way. Im just so at ends meet with this situation and am ready to GIVE UP which is NOT fair to my daughter.

Jane - posted on 03/03/2010

I totally understand where you are coming from, as my father and sister both smoke!! But before my little boy was born I told them in no uncertain terms that I didn't ever want them smoking around Cody and it is definitely NEVER going to happen in my home!! They are very respectful of the time they spend with him, and they have never once smoked around him. What they do in their own home and when they aren't with us, is their business, but they have recognised that they can forgo their beloved cigarettes in order to spend time with a precious child!! A pity your MIL doesnt see it the same way!! I would tell her straight up, that if she continues to disrespect you AND your lil baby, then obviously her smokes are more important, and that there will be no further visits until she can think of someone other than herself!! You are the mother so it is your choice to want to create a healthy, smoke free environment for your bub to grow up in !! Best of luck x x