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My one daycare dad and child smell like smoke so badly that I literally have trouble breathing around them! I can't change the child's diaper without having to hold my breathe and turn away for fresh air. The kids' coat and book bags get hung up by my closet door which is where I keep the diapers, wipes, bags for dirty diapers, and spare clothes. So I have to go past the book bags throughout the day. I have to hold my breathe to pass them because the child's book bag and coat are so full of smoke!
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I had a child from a family like this once...his mom would always pull up to my house and as she opened the car door, I would see a huge cloud of smoke literally roll out. Why would you do that to a child?? Anyway, I finally told her I wouldn't take him unless he had fresh clothing to change in to (I kept 3 sets at my house and washed them) AND she buzzed his hair. She agreed to all of this because she wouldn't agree to stop hotboxing the car.
I also kept a coat for him at my house to wear when we went outside (if he came in a coat, I would send it home with her).
I can't STAND smoke, so even the tiniest whiff and I am instantly nauseous. I had no problem telling her how horrible I thought it was that she would subject her child to that, but she just whined about how hard it was to quit. I'm sure it's hard, but it's going to be even harder for your child since they've been smoking since BIRTH! -
Oh no! I've never had parents who smoke (at least around their kids) so I can't imagine.
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We have a dcf like this. The dcd smokes constantly, (thanks for all the nasty cigarette butts that get tossed in my yard) and the dcg reeks of smoke. Her coat, her clothes, everything. I feel sorry for her. Some days she smells so heavily of smoke that my mother cant even hold her without it making her asthma act up. So believe me, I know how you feel. Sadly I don't think there is anything we can do about it. We keep a constant air freshener going which helps some.Comment
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I have termed over this and have a statement in my handbook about it. Something like "No strong smells will be tolerated due to protecting the air quality of the home. This includes but is not limited to perfume, lotions, and cigarette smoke.". My daughter has lung issues and just cannot be around it. I also don't want my other DCK exposed to this smoke or to go home smelling like smoke.Comment
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In CA you will be cited for smoking with a minor in the car.
So sad the parents are doing this to their child.
They are robbing them of years off their life.
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This is slightly OT, but my niece and nephew go to a licensed daycare in northern Missouri and the woman sits in her recliner IN the playroom and smokes all day. She's cheap ($75 a week for two kids) so unfortunately none of her parents say a word. The kids go home smelling heavily like cigarettes. It's so sad that money trumps childrens health.
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I wonder if you could spray the coat and book bag with Febreze each morning.Comment
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This is 3rd hand smoke and although it isn't as bad as 1st or 2nd hand smoking it still is bad for you and the other children in care. I just went to a CCIP training (Child Care Initiative Project) and we covered all of this. In CA a child noticeably smelling of cigarette smoke constitutes child endangerment and is reportable. We were told to discuss the issue with the parent and give them information as well as an opportunity to correct the issue otherwise we would need to report the parent.
There is a new state regulation now in the works that will make it so that smoking in or around a child care facility is prohibited. This will include FCC. Something like not being able to smoke anywhere on the property including the outside ever and not less than 50 feet from a door or window. If this passes this means that FCC providers that smoke won't be able to do so on their property at all ever even during non business hours. Providers or assistants taking a smoke break will have to leave the property. The daycare house and property will need to be smoke smell free and if not we would get cited.
I think this is a good rule to have but I'm shocked that this is in the works now and have never heard that a child smelling of smoke was reportable. This was coming from someone in public health and CPS during a workshop for FCC providers.
Can you call CPS and licensing and ask them if there is something you can do? I would think that if you had a 3rd smoke thing in your state then you could blame it on that and ask that the child not come smelling of smoke? 3rd hand smoke is when someone is around someone or something that smells of cigarette smoke. It's still bad for you, as you have found out it makes it hard for you to breath ... imagine how the other kids feel around the child!Comment
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THAT is the saddest thing I've heard- I can't believe she hasn't been reported, but I'm sure she's not licensed!This is slightly OT, but my niece and nephew go to a licensed daycare in northern Missouri and the woman sits in her recliner IN the playroom and smokes all day. She's cheap ($75 a week for two kids) so unfortunately none of her parents say a word. The kids go home smelling heavily like cigarettes. It's so sad that money trumps childrens health.
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If it really is unbearable, would you be willing to term over it?
I can't imagine having to deal with something like that day in and day out.
Even the other kids....I wonder if they are bothered by it as well....
Another option is speaking frankly with the parents and letting them know your concerns. Not so much about the dangers of smoking, as I am pretty sure most people know but about the troubles you are having dealing with it.Comment
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I have a no smoking on property policy , and I stick to it . The last thing I want is butts all over my yard .
If a child smelled so strongly of smoke it would bother me and trigger a migraine . There is no way I could handle the smell daily and still be able to care for the kids if I was constantly sick .Comment
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Fabreeze works wonders and it's non toxic (made from corn).
Poor baby, that really worries me for his sake. I would ask her to at least no smoke on her way to daycare in the car. Put it on you and tell her you have breathing problem. My sister is so sensitive to smoke smell that we keep a mask here for her if we even use the grill. A couple of times she has held a baby and the smell of their shampoo or if the parent smokes she is bothered and has an attack.I see little people.Comment
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