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Grandparenting

Grandchild not allowed to visit my home

(108 Posts)
scarlet1 Tue 10-May-16 00:53:38

My son has told me that my grandson can't visit my home due to third hand smoke. My husband smokes and has never smoked in the presence of our other grandchildren or when they are visiting or in the car and as I have an a compromised immune system I am super clean walls are washed down every month leather furniture washed every two days. Inside of books hovered carpet vaxed monthly. I have looked at the empirical evidence which is not clear and spoken to my other son and daughter and they say my house never smells of smoke and they think he is being unfair and it is an excuse. Whilst I respect it his child and his decision, when I visit they talk about staying at his partners family home and visiting friends it tears me apart to think he will never be allowed in my home.

scarlet1 Tue 10-May-16 17:17:29

It is interesting to see how many people think it is okay to tell others what they should do. Personally I am thin and don't drink. Would it be okay to say, Alcohol is so toxic and dangerous, or may sip some if they kiss you or spill it on just in case they may drink and I would never let my child near people who drink. Don't you think you should stop eating fat as my children not think okay to be overweight and I can't come to your home because you deep fry, we can come if you clean your oven as it may smoke.

granjura Tue 10-May-16 17:03:20

Theoddbird- it is his choice- but scarlet1 has to suffer the consequences- and here lies the problem. I would be very angry if a decision by my DH stopped me seeing my grandchildren I have to say.

And tbh- I just couldn't share my house with a smoker who smokes in the house. Garden or the shed- that's it!

shirleyhick Tue 10-May-16 17:02:44

I agree with what morethan2 says.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 16:45:18

and you need square brackets to add flowers. smile

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 16:42:52

starstella no. I don't drive a car. I ride a bike.

Theoddbird Tue 10-May-16 16:24:58

Simple...tell your husband to stop smoking! If he wants his grandson to visit he will do it...if he won't quit... Well the choice is his and his alone!

trisher Tue 10-May-16 15:51:39

We can debate the rights and wrongs,discuss if the science behind the idea is solid or doubtful and any other points as long as we like, the fact is scarlet1's son believes that third hand smoking is harmful to his child, and will not expose his child to it. We all protect our children as best we can.

Jalima Tue 10-May-16 15:32:44

Whilst I searching I have found that open fire houses, painted rooms, old properties. environmental pollutants from being in a car or opening a window or using plastic and having a kitchenette dinner all increase the and BQ al increase the risk.
I will agree and would include new suites, new carpets, a leather suite may have been packed with anti-mould sachets for transportation; chemicals from all the cleaning products - the list goes on. If the DH was smoking around the child I would be worried; however, I would be encouraging him to quit (not nagging!) for his own sake and yours.
N&G Someone I know who used to smoke was advised by the HV to keep an old coat in the porch to put on if he went outside for a cigarette to absorb most of the smoke and smell. He has stopped now thank goodness!

granjura Tue 10-May-16 15:27:50

Perhaps your husband could agree to only smoke outside, in the garden?
BTW, is he the grandfather or not? If he can see it's tearring you apart- isn't he prepared to try and find a way.

starstella Tue 10-May-16 15:18:36

I hope most of you realise you are talking to an adult?Most of the advice sounds like bossiness to me.Like this post.
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jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 14:02:33

scarlet nag your DH into the ground to stop smoking. Be sensible

.Do you happen to drive a car by any chance.?I thought cars were polluters too.As are many others things.Would you choose to give your car up?

Yes. I am a smoker.I am not a mass murderer.I don't tell other people how to live their lifes.No one should do that.There is a sense of superiority among non smokers a smugness that is really unpleasant.But each to their own.

Scarlett I feel your pain.The exact same thing happened to me.I have lost my granddaughter through this issue.They allowed us to visit them so long as we showered (as if we wouldn't) wore clean clothes and didn't smoke for an hour before we went.We did everything they asked of us(including not smoking at home) and it still ended in sadness.
I honestly believe the smoking was an excuse to exclude us from their lives.None of our friends smoke but they don't exclude me from their grandchildren.I have a big heart and love children.You would think all the love we would give our grandchildren would count for something.
I think you will be excluded too.Sorry sorry I hope I am wrong.Carry on seeing your grandson for as long as you can.Good luck I hope it all turns right for you
flowers.

lilihu Tue 10-May-16 15:09:33

Clairwills I think any and every forum presents a great opportunity to extol the virtues of giving up smoking. I'm pleased to see the majority suggesting this as a solution which could only be good for everyone concerned. We're talking about first, second and third hand smoking. This isn't good for anyone involved.
As for the wasted time spent cleaning to excess.....

Judthepud2 Tue 10-May-16 14:30:03

Scarlett1 it is very hard not being able to see your grandson in your own home, but I'm inclined to agree with those who have pointed out the dangers of small children being subjected to the toxic chemicals left by smokers.

Ex SIL left DD3 when she was pregnant but after their son was born insisted on frequently taking him (newborn) to his mother's house where his father and brother smoked.....heavily. DD asked him not to do this for obvious reasons but he went ahead anyway. When DGS returned, instead of that lovely new baby smell he stank of cigarette smoke. It began to alienate DD from the baby, as well as her breast feeding being disrupted (ex SIL's mother insisted on giving him formula). He and his brother's hair and clothing still smell of cigarette smoke after every visit.

DD's concern was brushed off as her being too fussy, but for 2 or 3 years the little boy had the most horrendous chest infections causing him to be admitted to hospital on one occasion when he stopped breathing.

While I sympathise with your sadness, I really do think that you and your DH need to respect your son's concern for the baby's welfare, and make other arrangement to see the little one

childsside Tue 10-May-16 14:20:41

You must feel frustrated and disappointed . . . I know that I treasure having my granddaughter visit and stay over at our home!

These types of issues seem to be quite common and come up in the Older Yet Wiser Workshops we hold in Leeds for grandparents with caring responsibilities.

Anyone who wants to have a look at joining in - we have a few free spaces left on the workshops beginning next week in Middleton, Leeds!

Hope you can find a solution that works for everyone - Judith
www.childsside.com

Lesley1 Tue 10-May-16 14:20:24

Why should you have to ask your husband to stop smoking? And why should cleaning your house be a problem? I like the smell of bleach and disinfectant it's a clean smell and gets rid of germs. I think there's another reason for your grandson not being allowed to visit you and the smoking is probably just an excuse.

NanaandGrampy Tue 10-May-16 14:18:53

Absolutely Jings his child , his rules.

Common sense or compromise though?

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 14:09:04

I guess we have to see this from a doting young father's point of view.

NanaandGrampy Tue 10-May-16 14:06:57

Crikey ! My kids would never have seen my Mum if I had enforced this rule !

I don't smoke, never have , neither has my DH. I appreciate that parents have to do what's best but this whole third hand smoke thing? Really? Are children not exposed everyday then to things touched by people who smoke?

I'm sure this will be an unpopular post but I would file this right up there with wiping everything down with disinfectant and keeping children and their environment super clean ... I believe that's when children fall prey to allergies etc because they have not had enough exposure in their life to create the necessary antibodies.

I agree and support the general no smoking in an environment with children but if the man smokes in his garden exactly what percentage of risk is there from his clothes or furniture? Life is a game of checks and balances and stopping my children seeing their grandparents vs catching something from my mums sweater....?? No contest.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 14:02:33

scarlet nag your DH into the ground to stop smoking. Be sensible.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 14:01:16

I think, from the original post, Scarlet is not denied access to her grandchild. She visits her family at their house.

12lampton34 Tue 10-May-16 13:58:13

I cant understand how a son could treat his parents like that I would have thought he would invite them to his home and yes it must hurt I havent seen 4 of my greatgrand children since they were born and only see one of my daughter maybe every 2 years my son once a year and why I remarried four years after their father died children can be so hurtful I am so sorry for you scarlet1 but lets hope he will change his mind and I wish you all the luck in the world that things turn out well.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 13:57:00

clairwills I see no reason why we shouldn't extol the virtues of giving up smoking. It is the obvious answer to the original poster's problem. confused

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 10-May-16 13:55:07

Scarlet you say you will not be forced into badgering him to stop smoking because he is such a lovely man, but, surely, if you encouraged him to stop smoking you would be doing a good thing for him. You would be enhancing his chances of a long and healthy life. I would almost say it is your duty as a loving wife to do this.

jevive73 Tue 10-May-16 13:49:25

Oh dear i have to add a comment. My neighbour used to smoke so when he got ill i visited and when i came out i could smell my clothes and hair. Horrible. Whilst there i would try to breathe through my mouth to avoid the bitter, sour smell. Smokers cannot smell it themselves. Personally i also find air fresheners and stuff like febreeze very intrusive smells.
I really feel for you in your sadness. Would vaping be a possibility??

Neversaydie Tue 10-May-16 12:49:55

I have every sympathy with your son and daughter in law I'm afraid. I made my now husband give up smoking as a condition of our marrying /my moving in .I hate the smell and even 35 years ago the health risks were well known
He did continue to have to od sneaky cigarette but I always knew and he has never smoked in the house or in front of our children
Isn't it a good incentive to stop?He could put the money saved into a fund for the DG

Louizalass Tue 10-May-16 12:48:51

Working on the presumption that 'third-hand smoke' is harmful to children - what happens if they're taken out where the general populace hangs out? Do they get taken to supermarkets where the people in front and behind might well be smokers and therefore carrying the remnants of their smoking habit about their person?

Whatever happend to common sense?

A lot of us older folk were bought up in smoking households because the dangers of second-hand smoke wasn't known (even the danger of smoking in itself was considered a healthy thing for iffy lungs!)

Yes, now that we are all aware of the dangers of smoking/smoking around children then we should ensure children aren't subjected to those dangers but as for the 'paranoia' regarding third-hand smoke, I think that's going too far.

This is what NHS says about third-hand smoke:
"While it is plausible but unproven that smoke residue could damage health, the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke are well established. Based on these known dangers alone, it seems sensible for smokers to consider the health of others and smoke away from other people, such as outside or in a specially designated room. These types of steps are especially important in households with children and babies."