How do you explain smoking to LO?

[Aphrodite]

DS1 is at the questioning stage, he asks things constantly all day long and on the way home from Asda we have to walk past the smoking shelter and of course he was like, Mummy whats that lady got? Whats she doing? And I was like, ummmmmm....I really wasn't sure how to answer. I was going to say its naughty but then thought the better of it, I just didnt know what approiach to take or how to make him understand, any tips?

 

[freckleonear]

My SIL in-law smokes so when the children asked I told them that smoking cigarettes is bad for your body and damages your lungs, but some people like to do it anyway.

 

[XJessicaX]

Oh dear. DD1 asked OH what a man was doing when smoking, she asked if she could have a lolly too and then noticed the smoke and looked shocked and said there was fire! OH said "Its called smoking, its dirty. It is what stupid people do" which seemed to satisfy her curiosity but didn't really answer her question!

I have no idea what I would say if she asked me!

 

[katy1310]

I'm dreading this question. FIL is a heavy smoker and is always sitting in his car with a cigarette in his mouth when he arrives, then drops the ends in our driveway. I try to clean them up (although technically he should do it!) before Sophie sees them but one of these days she's going to find one and ask, or see him smoking! x

 

[smokey]

I just tell him its a yucky silly thing to do and daddy is being naughty because it will make him cough and choke on it.
Generaly oh doesnt smoke where he can be seen by lo but lo just know it as a fire stick and doesnt really ask questions about it.

 

[ILoveShoes]

My LO asked about this recent, as there is a banner about not smoking in our local park.
There is a picture of a sad face on the banner. It says 'please don't smoke in our park' or something like that.
My LO just thinks that smoking makes you feel sad (and is smelly!)
xx

 

[seoj]

That is a tough one- lucky none of my family or friends smoke... but obviously at some point LO will see someone doing it while out and about. I'd honestly probaby just tell her "some people like to do things that are bad for them. Smoking is one of them." and if she asked farther, which hopefully she wouldn't, I'd be honest with her about what it is (obviously age appropriate)- I've always been honest with my SD as my Mom was with me. Guess I'd just hope I could distract her after my initial explanation till she's older. haha.

 

[rosie272]

My sister told Charlie (when he seen her bf smoking outside a restaurant) that it's what silly people do and it stinks! He seemed to accept that - I don't know what I would tell him, he's never asked me!

 

[MrsHedgehog]

LO is too little to notice really or ask but both MIL and FIL smoke and I'm not sure either how to deal with any questions in the future. Once she picked up FILs packet of cigarettes and MIL said to her 'no, you're too little, when you're 18 you can smoke if you want' Definitely not the right thing to say.

 

[MrsT&Ben]

Ben often asks this as my Mums partner smokes as does his Daddy, occasionally. I tell him that it is something that some grown ups do but ray shouldn't as its really bad for them and costs a lot of money. He now calls it horrible and smelly stuff and tells hubby off when ever he does it. I HATE smoking and think it should be banned completely!

 

[Aphrodite]

I really really hate smoking too but I dont want him to think people are 'bad' for doing it as I want him to respect peoples choices. I like the idea of smelly, thats better than 'bad' and he understands the concept of smell now. I think sad is a good one as well because he has recently learned what this means. So next time he asks Ill say its a grown up smelly thing that is bad for your body and makes you feel sad!!!! Thanks for the tips, really good.