Help with daycare clients and cigarette smoke

[SimpleMom]

I had a situation similar to this once. I sprayed Lysol or Febreeze on the bag to lessen the smell. If their blankets were really smelly and seemed like they needed a wash I just washed them in time for nap. Sometimes, I put the bags in the closet to help as well.

As an ex-smoker myself I can understand. I think it's harder to smell that scent after you've quit than if you never started. Different situations and such like this are common. Sometimes it's easier just to work with it and not against it.

[ConcernedMotherof2]

A smoking parent's point of view

As a parent who smokes, I thought I ought to chime in and maybe provide a little bit of insight. Sometimes it's difficult to say anything to someone with a problem such as this. It can make you feel as though you are telling someone that they are dirty or taking care of their child improperly.

However, I have to agree that these children and their belongings are in YOUR HOME and you have every right to address this issue. No provider ever said anything to me about my children smelling like smoke and I never noticed it because I am the smoker, but my step-mom is the one who brought the problem to my attention. I nearly cried when I realized that my children were walking around in daycare and at school being the "stinky kids" and I took steps to ensure that they don't suffer because of my habit.

Hopefully you will be able to come to an understanding with the parents of these children. I am not suggesting that you tell the parents how to run their home, but I have lessened the smoke smell on my children and myself by only smoking in my living room and kitchen when my children are not in the room, folding my laundry in my bedroom, (which is always closed and I never smoke in any of the bedrooms) and regular cleaning of the entire house aimed at ridding the area of odors. I also make sure that my children shower in the morning, thouroghly wash their hair and I don't smoke until after I drop them off at daycare.

I hope this helps a little.

[Unregistered]

i guess i'm much different than most. at interviews appearance and cleanliness are #1 to me. If i noticed that horrible or a smell , cigarettes or something else, I wouldn't have signed them. parents not only choose ME but I choose THEM. i never allow a parent sign at the interview. i always say i will contact them with in 24hrs and discuss things. I will NOT tolerate nasty smelly children in my home. Its sad that parents do not care for their children properly sometimes. but this is my home and i will ONLY accept clean children. who wants to love all over a stinky kid? i know i can't.

[Unregistered]

Post a memo

Hi I am a license child care provider, and I do not smoke my dad use to smoke and I can understand your concerns. I would just post a memo on board about the safety of kids hygeine and mention about smoke and the concern for children that are in your care that have allerglyies even offer brochures for everyone to read so that your not just pointing the finger at one individual.