Cig. Smoking

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2004
Cig. Smoking
5
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 1:19pm
Thursday we are going home to visit family for the 1st time since we moved. My DH's family smokes. (we don't) I feel very strongly about them not smoking around DS (3months old). My DH feels the same way. I told DH that I would walk outside with DS when someone lit up but its going to be 40 degrees outside and I dont want to make him sick. I do know that a little cold is better than effecting his development or causing cancer from second hand smoke. I know they can go an hour or so without smoking but we are going to be there half the day. Do I have the right to ask them to go outside (their home) to smoke? Any suggestions about what to say. This is my babies health and I wont risk it!

This is really stressing me. I dont want to cause problems with the in-laws or with DH. I am glad that he feels the same way I do about this.

Thanks,

Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2003
In reply to: jwisecup
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 1:37pm
Tough call on this one. I'm an exsmoker and so is my DH, before we quit we did not smoke inside our house, or around the kids. So the rule has always been NO SMOKING in our house. My parents still smoke but whenever we go over with the kids they do not smoke in the house. We never asked them to do this but they go outside on their own. I DID ask them to smoke in another room with the door closed and the window opened. I honestly do not think that anyone has the right to dictate what happens in another person's house. You can ask but if they will not comply then you just do not go to their house, make them come to you where you can set the rules. Maybe there is an alternative like the other room that will make everyone happy...although it's their family too so they should want to make life cleaner and safer for the baby. Some people don't feel that way though...Good Luck in your decision. Shelley
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
In reply to: jwisecup
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 2:36pm
If I were you, I would just take the baby outside each time someone lights up (well bundled up, of course), and I would make it perfectly obvious why I was going outside. You don't have to be rude or obnoxious about it - just say something like "I'm going to take the baby outside while you smoke - will you let me know when you're finished?" Unless they are completely thick headed or just plain inconsiderate, they will get the message pretty quickly, and hopefully will offer to go outside themselves. And don't feel guilty about it at all - it doesn't matter whose house it is when your baby's health is at risk. Good luck!

Paige

Avatar for colejbmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: jwisecup
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 3:20pm
i've recently read it takes approximately 5 to 6 hours for a room to clear of second hand smoke so I don't think going outside is an option. I can't see why in this day and age anyone would smoke around kids knowing that its a class a carcinogen. I would ask them to go outside especially since you will only be there a few hours. A couple of trips outside should be worth it for their grandchildren.

Jill
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2004
In reply to: jwisecup
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 3:47pm
My husband smokes,but he always goes outside.No smoking in the house!His parents smoke too.What we did is,my hubby just very politely asked his parents if they would smoke outside when we are at their house with the baby or at least at the other end of the house in a room with the door closed.They understood and are very good about not smoking around the baby.If you do want to ask them to go outside,have your DH ask,because they will probably take it pretty well from their own son,especially if he is careful about how he asks.If they care about their grandson they should be happy to comply!If they won't, then maybe you could sit in your car with the heater running so the baby won't get to cold outside.Good luck!
Avatar for my3girls2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: jwisecup
Mon, 02-16-2004 - 4:07pm
I was going to say the same thing leaving the room for a few minutes won't help, and the air will still smell and their clothes,,my baby could never be around it cause she had r.s.v. and developed asthma because of it,, we webt to a resturant and someone lit up , and it set her way back,, she got sick all over again.