Baby Talk January 2019

Bright Kids
Feature
You have a right to protect
your kids
Sometimes, you will just have to take the time
and effort to explain to the smokers in your life
that while you value their presence in your life
and your children’s lives, you cannot allow them
to smoke around your children, and that your
children will not be allowed to be around them
while they are smoking. Help them understand
how they are putting everyone around them
at risk when they smoke, particularly children,
who are still developing. Do your best to be firm,
but also respectful when executing this message
and hope for the best.
While talking to your child would work, especially if you
happen to have good communication between you both,
there are also alternative methods which can help you
along. Search for YouTube videos which might help your
children understand the dangers of smoking and secondhand
smoke. Here is one such video worth your child’s attention:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF7SNcw7kxQ
What steps are taken by your
child’s school?
DANGERS OF SMOKING
HEART LUNGS BRAIN STOMACH
Educate your children about
smoking and secondhand smoke.
Merely informing your child that smoking and secondhand
smoke are bad or dangerous does not help them understand
exactly why they should not do it. Instead, try explaining
to them the different ways that smoking and secondhand
smoke can harm the body. You may also use examples to
back up your points. If you tell them that smoking is bad for
their lungs, you might consider showing them a picture of a
smoker’s lungs.
Be just as serious when explaining why avoiding secondhand
smoke is also important for their health. Point out, for
example, that even secondhand smoke exposure can lead to
respiratory problems, etc.
As a parent, you will always have the best intentions at heart
when it comes to your child’s health, but it will not always
be possible to shield him or her from the habits of other
people. You’d have a much better chance though, if they fully
understood the ramifications of secondhand smoke, as well
as smoking itself, of course.
Most schools do have some sort of anti-smoking program,
but some may have a less well-developed program than
others. Ask your child’s teacher what the school’s program
involves, and whether or not they include education about
secondhand smoke in their program. If you are not satisfied
with the current program, suggest ways it can be improved,
or better still, ask if you can help.
Children who live with
smokers are more likely
to develop:
• Asthma • Sore throats
• Bronchitis • Ear infections
• Pneumonia • Eye irritation
• Colds
• Allergies
• Coughing/
wheezing
36 BabyTalk | January 2019