Convinced childminder is smoking in the presence of my child

**professor~yaffle**

duchy wrote: »

It's a bit embarassing when the reformed ex smoker starts stripping off in the middle of the bus

I was listening to a bunch of Yummy Mummies in a local wine bar whining on about smokers .....the irony of them sitting swigging back wine in front of their pushchaired little darlings appeared to escape them completely. (and at least some of them were driving)

I knew some rather well-spoken yummy-mummy types much like the ones you've described, who used to complain when their little darlings wouldn't go to bed on time, because they wanted to light up and have a smoke (and I don't mean cigarettes). Appearances can be very deceptive.

poet123

I wouldn't be happy about it and unless my child was very attached to the cm I would be moving her.

People just don't realise how smells linger; dog, cat, frying, onions, cabbage. They all attach to clothing or linger in the house. I expect everyone with pets will say their house doesn't smell of them, and to them they probably don't, but to others, particularly non pet owners they really do.

wildwestfan

olgadapolga wrote: »

I also hate the smell of cigarette smoke.

I took my children to my mother's last week. My mother had given up smoking earlier last year but it turns out that she has stupidly started again. Her house stank. We were there just four hours during which my mother did not have a cigarette. The stench of old cigarette smoke really clung to us, it was disgusting. It was so bad that when we got home we all had to strip off and wash our clothes as well as take baths.

The smell of cigarette smoke infiltrates the fabric of everything. My mother's house was rank. We knew she'd started smoking again before we'd even opened the door to her house as it was that bad.

I think that if the childminder smoked, you'd smell it in her house, on her and on her breath. Even if you didn't notice it on her, you'd certainly notice it on your child if at the childminder's for several hours.

My children and husband have said that they don't want to go back to my mum's. Unfortunately, I agree with them; it may be my mother's choice and right to smoke if she desires but it is my and my family's choice NOT to breathe second-hand smoke and we certainly don't want to smell as if we are smokers. So we will have to make alternative arrangements to see her as we will not be going back to her house.

I hope none of your children ever decide to take up smoking. Still I suppose they could always go and live with their Nan. You sound so intolerant of other's frailties.

Savvy_Sue

**professor~yaffle** wrote: »

I knew some rather well-spoken yummy-mummy types much like the ones you've described, who used to complain when their little darlings wouldn't go to bed on time, because they wanted to light up and have a smoke (and I don't mean cigarettes). Appearances can be very deceptive.

May be worth making the point that if anyone has been smoking substances almost but not quite like tobacco in the vicinity then that can linger and spread quite widely.

Person_one

duchy wrote: »

It's a bit embarassing when the reformed ex smoker starts stripping off in the middle of the bus

I was listening to a bunch of Yummy Mummies in a local wine bar whining on about smokers .....the irony of them sitting swigging back wine in front of their pushchaired little darlings appeared to escape them completely. (and at least some of them were driving)

I've never heard of passive drinking...

Valli

I don't know about other local authorities but

Derbyshire County Council has a countywide ban on smoking on its premises (including schools) and this is supposed to include the grounds (of the school).

DCC registered childminders should not smoke; members of their families are also not to smoke when minded children are on the premises.

So, OP, first step is to check the rules of the LA under which your childminder is registered.

sooty&sweep

Hi
Is your child happy there and are you happy with the standard of care generally ?

If the childminder is a smoker wouldn't other things there smell of cigarette smoke ? I wouldn't be happy about my child being in a smokey environment but I would want to be sure what was going on before I did anything. You could move the child but then be unhappy for other reasons.

To be honest I would have a word and see what they say. There may be a logical explanation.
Jen

missty25

Why not ask the childminder and see what the answer is the. You can go from there.

newcook

is this a new thing or has DD often come home smelling of cigarettes?

you say you are an ex-smoker - how long ago did you quit? I only ask as when I have quit smoking before, I could smell smoke on my clothes for at least 3 or 4 washes (I also smoke outside). if you are a recent ex-smoker its possible the smokey smell may well be from your home and you have only been able to smell it since quitting.

geoffky

You do not care enough to move your child straight away... You can not have it both ways.....Move your child if you consider it important....Or look after your own child...