…And Bells on Her Toes

OK, hands up if you think the proposed smoking in the car with kids ban is a good idea?

Honestly, I don’t know why it hasn’t come out sooner.

I wish there was a ban like that when I was a kid.  When my brother and I were little, both of our parents smoked.  In the house, in the car, it didn’t matter.  What was worse was when we were in the car, trapped, my Mom would smoke and she would refuse to open the window – she didn’t want a draft.  My brother and I were choking on the second-hand smoke, but as long as there wasn’t a draft …

I guess to be fair, back then we didn’t know about the hazards of smoking.  It was the 70’s afterall, heck we didn’t even have seatbelts in the backseat (they weren’t required at the time) … I ended up with Asthma and my brother and I had chronic allergy attacks.

I remember going to the store for my Mom or my (much) older sister to buy them cigarettes when I was, um 10, I think.  I was allowed to buy myself a treat at the same time!

I can’t believe that there are people who would actually think it’s OK in this day and age to smoke in the same car as a minor – regardless of how many windows are open. 

I stopped smoking five years ago after my first daughter was born.  It wasn’t easy, but I did it.  For those of you doing the math, yes, I smoked during my first pregnancy.  Before you say anything, yes, I know, I’ve heard it all.  From those who meant well, to those who just liked to stick their noses where it didn’t belong.  My doctor knew that I smoked and I told him that I was trying to quit.  He actually told me that trying to quit while I was pregnant could put too much strain on my system and suggested that I cut down (stop if I could) and quit after the baby was born.  That’s what I did.  I don’t know if it was good advice or not, but It’s what I did.

My husband quit pretty much the day he heard I was pregnant.  He was a complete bear for a week and a bit while he went through withdrawal and it didn’t help that I still smoked in the house, but you have to give him credit, he did great.  It’s funny how someone who never smoked (at least as far as his parents were concerned) could stop, but stranger things have happened.

After Lexy was born, I would only smoke outside.  It seemed like Lexy wanted me to quit too because no sooner would I put her down for a nap, go outside and light up, would she wake up and need attention.  It’s pretty inconvenient trying to smoke with a newborn in the house.  Eventually it got longer and longer between puffs and I was able to stop.

I hope my kids never pick up my bad habit.  I hope I have the strength to help them if they do.