As a father of two children, I'm very conscious of setting a good example for them. I know that all the words in the world won't be as effective as the behavior that I model myself, and I think of that every time I'm tempted to use disrespectful language or act in a way that I'd be mortified if they imitated.
I've been asked by non-smokers whether I'm comfortable smoking cigars around the kids, or whether I'm afraid that they will pick up the habit. For me, it's a no-brainer. I don't have a problem lighting up around my children.
There are a couple of reasons. For starters, like a lot of people, I parent my children like I remember being parented as a kid. Some of my fondest memories are of watching my grandfather smoke his Garcia Vega cigars, and I grew up fine. Why won't my son and daughter?
But on a more practical and less nostalgic level, I like to smoke cigars and I'm not ashamed of it. Smoking is legal, and I don't want to make it out like something that has to be done in secret. I figure that in the long run, they will be better served by watching me smoke in moderation than they would be wondering what was so dangerous about cigars that they have to be enjoyed in secret.
When they are old enough, I won't have a problem if my kids elect to become cigar smokers. What better way to make sure they do so responsibly than by letting them see how I do it myself?
I've been asked by non-smokers whether I'm comfortable smoking cigars around the kids, or whether I'm afraid that they will pick up the habit. For me, it's a no-brainer. I don't have a problem lighting up around my children.
There are a couple of reasons. For starters, like a lot of people, I parent my children like I remember being parented as a kid. Some of my fondest memories are of watching my grandfather smoke his Garcia Vega cigars, and I grew up fine. Why won't my son and daughter?
But on a more practical and less nostalgic level, I like to smoke cigars and I'm not ashamed of it. Smoking is legal, and I don't want to make it out like something that has to be done in secret. I figure that in the long run, they will be better served by watching me smoke in moderation than they would be wondering what was so dangerous about cigars that they have to be enjoyed in secret.
When they are old enough, I won't have a problem if my kids elect to become cigar smokers. What better way to make sure they do so responsibly than by letting them see how I do it myself?
Comments for Smoking around children