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Name: Winny
[ Original Post ]
I have recently found that my 16 yr. old daughter is smoking. I have always talked with her...advised her on sex, drugs, drinking, and smoking. I know she is close to having sex and has told me so and I have helped to educate her on the medical (made sure this was taken care of)/emotional aspect, I know she has experimented with pot and again she tried it and no more. Same with drinking...at social gatherings, etc. and with my knowledge maybe a glass of wine or something like that. But I have always told her I will not tolerate drinking in general and never, ever, smoking. We've always been able to talk and have always had long, deep conversations but now she has just closed up and if I try to talk with her I get silence or an explosion. I even agreed to let her have her belly button pierced if she would compromise and not get her tongue done and that sort of thing. I lover her so very much and would die for her. She is my absolute heart and I'm so confused as to what I should do. Can anyone please help?
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Name: Winny | Date: Sep 15th, 2005 11:03 AM
I had a long talk with my daughter last night. How it came about was several colleagues were joking around at work and Pat said she wanted to show us her grandaughters website which she can check to kind of keep in touch. She opened up myspace website and was showing us her page and said most teenagers have a page here and asked if I wanted to check to see if my daughter had one. Anyway I was horrified by what came up...not only does my daughter say she smokes she's also listed as bisexual and several other items. Needless to say it was my own stupidity that I was so shocked. I honestly never stopped to think about what might be posted there. I talked with my daughter...an excrutiating decision because I knew she would feel like I had invaded her privacy and maybe she's right. At first she denied everything and slowly started telling me the truth. She says she honestly tried smoking but can not stand it and I believe her but she also told me she does feel like she is bisexual. She says she has never did anything with another girl but has from time to time thought about it and is ashamed. 1st I make it quite clear that not only should she not be ashamed but just because you sometime think about it doesn't make you bisexual. I know she believes I am just in denial but I love my daughter with all my heart and soul and could never imagine anything she could do or be that would change. My problem now is I am so very ashamed of myself because as I lay awake all night thinking about things I realized that whenever I tried to think ok could I be attracted to another woman I believe it is completey repulsive. What's wrong with me!? I know I am from a deep Christian background of old world farmers who would die at the thought of a mixed race much less the same gender but I can't seam to accept it deep inside. I would die for my daughter and want nothing in the world but for her to be happy and would love her no matter what she decides so what's wrong with me? Why can't I be totally honest and admit that I find it repulsive and a psychological problem or maybe some genetic malfunction...God it makes me sick at myself to even write this. Is there something I did or didn't do to make her think this way? Did I maybe not show her what a loving, fulfilling relationship her father and I have? We've been married for 21 years and he has a medical problem and hasn't been able to have sex for the past 10 years..did I somehow show her that I am miserable being celibate for so long? What's wrong with me?! Can anyone help? I don't care if you go off on me it can't be anything that I haven't already said to myself! 

Name: kc | Date: Sep 15th, 2005 12:51 PM
I understand where your coming from, one thing that makes a guy different from a girl not all guys but almost every guy ive talked to... a girl will see another girl and go Oh she's cute or oh she's pretty but a guy will be like eww I dont judge other guys..so that aspect of it is normal its just part of discovering who you are and it can be confusing but it doesnt mean a girl is BI if she thinks that way because a lot of girls do and teenagers these days know a lot more and have done a lot more things than parents know, More than half of my old highschool did drugs, drank, cut, stole, and some helped with suicide and murders I'm from california which might be part of that but i live in a smalltown compared to the cities that surround us like Los Angeles ,Bakersfield, Fresno, those places are 100 times worse than my town. The highschool here has 1700 kids which may seem like a lot but I garuntee you at least 300 of those kids dont do drugs or anything like that there is really not that many and probobaly 250 of those kids Are Freshman and will soon change during their highschool years, Even kids at middle school are bringing pot to school and knives and guns so its not your fault the way she feels its just life now, she's growing up and it's confusing, if you keep talking to your daughter and supporting her things could change but no way is it your fault the way she feels. 

Name: been there | Date: Sep 16th, 2005 9:32 AM
I know what you are going thouhg I have a 15yr old daughter that was smoking and having sex. She did all of this because of the boy she was with. Now that the boy is gone she is back to her old self. I didn't know what to do but love her and make sure she heard me say I LOVE YOU even when she acted like she was not listening. I gave her hugs even no she did not want them yes she fouhgt me but I just hugged harder. Just hold on to your daughter and she will wake up soon. 

Name: heather | Date: Sep 18th, 2005 1:45 AM
winny, it has nothing to do with you not being there for her. if you werent there for her she probably wouldnt talk to you about all of that. shes young and shes experiences new things. it may not be the "right" things but she will learn from her mistakes if she learns that its wrong. its all up to her and shes going to do weather or not you are there or not. i have a fiance and we love each other but sometimes i cant seem to help think about other women...its not anything serious, and no one knows what causes us to think like that. and trust me, she might experience the other race but its curiousity and what attracts her attention, i have too expericened the other race but i learned how that made me look and how people looked at me. ive learned from my mistakes...it just takes time..let her be..and just talk to her about it...your not doing anything wrong 

Name: nayelly, | Date: Sep 19th, 2005 6:07 PM
im 16,and i could tell u dat i hate wen my parents tell me wat to do, even though i see dat ur not dat type of mom, so im juzz tellin u, she has to do her mistakes in order for her to lean out of dem,dats how she grows up and u have to let go 1 time or anoda, juzz know wats commin to u isnt always gonna b good, dis is common between teenagers, especially at dis age...AND REMEMBER, never tell her wat to do wen it comes to sex and things like dat, because shes gonna end up doin it anyways if u like it or not. 

Name: Missy Johnston | Date: Dec 7th, 2005 6:07 PM
I say just let her smoke. I got caught smoking at 15, my mom allowed me to continue and at age 25 I decided to stop. Everyone I knew who smoked when there parents refused to let them never quit. But I did. 


Name: kelly | Date: Dec 11th, 2005 6:01 PM
Alright, listen. I'm 17 and smoking cigarettes. My mom did the same thing with me, all while I was growing up she'd let me know how dangerous cigarettes are, what they can do to my body etc. I'm fully aware of the effects, and I'm doing it anyways. I know it doesn't sound "smart", but your best bet would to allow her to continue, don't yell at her for it, she knows what she is doing. By all means, remind her once in a while (not ALL the time) that it's not good for her, and most importantly that you love her. If you freak out and attempt to take this away from her she'll know that she can't trust you with other things. And you'd want to know if your kid is having trouble with something, right? 

Name: Krystie | Date: Dec 13th, 2005 6:46 PM
As a teen I know what your daughter is going through. Instead of nagging her and bribing her to stop smoking, try leaving her alone. Soon enough she will get sick of it and quit. 

Name: Oh Happy days | Date: Dec 22nd, 2005 7:39 AM
Im 13 and i see loads of people smoking my age and younger ! But i dont join in, Shes 16 On her way to being an adult Let her smoke let her get drunk after a while shell end up in hospital and then you say " I told you so " And shell see what you meant 

Name: kelly | Date: Dec 22nd, 2005 1:41 PM
listen no matter how hard you try to stop your daughter from doing theese things, she is still going to do them, my mom took a differant aproch to this she let my sister do anything she wanted and the novelty of the things just wore off, moast teens only do things like drinking smoking and doing drugs to rebel against thair parents, so if the teens parents let them do theese things there is nothing to rebel against, so they dont do it. 

Name: mocott | Date: Jan 17th, 2006 2:23 PM
My daughters are my heart also. Are you sure that there is not something more to it. Like shes trying to tell you something, but doesnt know how? It sounds like shes a pretty good kid to all of a sudden just up and do something that you hate. Has there been a change in friends or boyfriend? Sounds like she has a guilty concience about something. If she w ont talk to you, try talking to one of her friends, to see whats going on. I know that it hurts, but dont give up on her yet. 

Name: annoumous | Date: Jan 17th, 2006 6:43 PM
I saw in my sisters car I saw ciggartes and that makes me verty scared but I have not told my mom yeet 

Name: Jess | Date: Jan 28th, 2006 4:08 AM
i am ashamed and i know this is bad. when i was pregnant i smoked about every 2 weeks with my friends! and also had weed about every 2 weeks aswell. im 14, i know it was wrong and my mum knew to 

Name: Heather | Date: Feb 4th, 2006 3:06 AM
your daughter is growing into her own person. Shes not a little girl anymore, and she's gona go to parties and shes gona smoke ciggarettes. These things you can't stop her from doing...i'm sorry. But there are things you can do to ensure her safety and overall well being.

Firstly, you said you do not tolerate drinking. Well, lets face it, kids drink. You need to tell her that if she does drink, or whoever is driving her becomes intoxicated that you are just a phone call away. Weather you aprove or not, her safety should come first and if she needs a ride home you should be that ride, and assure her that she will not be in trouble if she demonstrates responsibility in calling you for a ride, even if she has had a few drinks.

Also, she's 16, i'd be willing to bet that she has had sex already. I don't know that for a fact but i didn't tell my mother untill several months after i lost my virginity. (most girls i know lose it around 15, or 16) Well, im 17 now and i'm pregnate. Kids don't use condoms! even if the girl wants to all the guy has to say is "i dont have one" or "it feels better with out one" and bam! they're having unprotected sex! You need to let her know that it's okay to talk to you about sex, she should be comfortable in telling you when she is active and know that her mom is not going to judge her. Only she knows weather she needs to be on the pill or not, but you REALLY REALLY REALLY should let her know that you are willing to get it for her. Just because you get her the pill, or ensure her a safe ride home at night does not make you a bad mom nor does it mean that you approve of these things, it simply means you care. And your daughter will see that...and possibly even open up to you more. I just really think you should have her on some kind of birth control once she starts having sex....i really wish i had been. 

Name: niomi | Date: Feb 5th, 2006 1:30 PM
my mum found me smoking at 11 and 12 because i ended up coming out with a bad caugh the reason y i was doing this was peer presure because i hang around with alot of older people that do drugs the lot but i soon told them they understood so did my boyfriend hu is 14 try 2 talk 2 er bout friends DONT WORRy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Name: Lisa | Date: Feb 14th, 2006 7:49 PM
When I was 16, my parents caught me smoking and made me smoke a whole pack of cigs. After I got done with 3 cigs. I got sick and I never wanted to smoke again. Then we had the talk about cigs. and blah blah. I dunno this may not be your method but well... It worked for me. 

Name: Nicole | Date: Feb 18th, 2006 5:08 PM
I think you should let her do anything she wants to because it is her life and not yours! I let my daughter do anything and she is 20 with 3 kids. It was her choice and she will have to learn on her own to make good decitions. 

Name: Ashley | Date: Mar 5th, 2006 1:16 AM
You can't watch every move she makes and I understand where your coming from about the smoking. If she's going to do it, she's going to do it, there's nothing you can do, trust me I know from experience. She should not lie to you and go behind your back. If I were you I would just tell her "as long as you don't do it in front of me". It's really the only thing you can do or some parents think that if they are going to do it I'd rather them do it in front of me rather then behind my back! Good luck, God bless! 

Name: Brittany | Date: Mar 7th, 2006 8:04 PM
my daughter wants to have sex but shes only 12,what should i do? 

Name: To brit. | Date: Mar 8th, 2006 10:59 AM
Try visiting another Forum. Since this is a smoking one. 

Name: Dawn | Date: Mar 8th, 2006 11:48 AM
You are the mom and she is the child. It been proven that 16 year olds are not able to make good decisions and kids brains grow into their early 20's.Put your foot down take her privileges away and get ready for a fight. She should not disobey you!!!And when she does there should be consiquences!Save her now before it is too late. You said you have a strong christian backgroung so put her in church and have her attend teen groups.You are alloweed to know where she is every hour of the day. THIS IS YOUR JOB 

Name: kathy | Date: Mar 9th, 2006 12:44 AM
gee, maybe your daughter just needs abit of space, i mean come on think about would you have ever discussed having sex with your mum? it's akward and not something most teens do. it's good that you've told her about the risks of pregnacy and that but she probably learns that in school. now about the smoking have you ever consided that shes stressed or doing it because shes been pressured into it, maybe she's doing it to get back at you? do her friends smoke?? 

Name: annoumous | Date: Mar 9th, 2006 6:14 PM
Im, 16 years old also. I smoke. My mom found out I was smoking when I was like 13. At first she freaked out. Then she decided that she would rather have me doing it in front of her , then behind her back. She would rather buy them for me, than me going out and asking complete strangers to buy them for me. She is growing up and experimenting. In this world today, who doesnt? But that is how we learn. We learn from making mistakes. Good Luck, tho. 

Name: melissa | Date: Mar 31st, 2006 2:51 PM
Your daughter haz alot better chance than i had. when i wuz 8 i started sneaking drags off my momz & older sisters cigarettes when they would leave the room with their cigs in the ash tray. when they would catch me they would think it wuz funny...thiz little girl coping drags. after i learned to inhale i became kinduf hooked & got more bold...begging my sisters for drags. when i turned 11 my mom let me hav my own cigerettes. i'm still 11 & im totally chain smoking. i love cigarettes more than about anything. im so hooked that i light my next cigarette with my last cigarette & am smoking more than 4 packs of marlboros a day.

i cant even imagine not smoking so i really dont even think about quiting because theyre so good. If i have to go 5 minutes without a cigarette i go crazy & cant think about anything else. so if your daughters not already hooked (and it doeznt sound like she iz) you should tell her that if she doesnt stop now she will become soo hooked that they will hopelessly control her life like they do mine. im always getting caught smoking at school & i cant even go to an indoor movie or into a store or shop for more than a few minutes cuz i have to smoke. but if shez already hooked itz probably too late & u will just have to accept it until shez ready to stop on her own. so it thatz the case, for now pick another battle. 

Name: Lucky | Date: Mar 31st, 2006 11:35 PM
Man!,The more stories I read here,the more thankful Iam that my kid is so great!!! We are low income ,(very low) and yet I couldnt be more proud of the son I have. He gets good grades,stays out of trouble, and does as hes told.I just cant believe all the crap I read here about other peoples childrens behavior.Its insane! We struggle to make ends meet financially but our kid is most peoples dream child. Im really not kidding here,when he has gone on vacation with his aunt and uncle for a period of time,his aunt told me when they got back what a good boy he was and how helpful he was and that he would always be more than welcome to go with them anywhere anytime because he behaves so well! And even his best friends mother refers to her house as my sons second home because they welcome him as a part of their family as much as if he were their own. Why? Because he truly is a good,descent kid. I dont know how I got so lucky or what the rest of you are doing so wrong but Im glad Im not in your shoes. I chose to only have 1 kid because I knew the kind of work it would take to raise just 1 kid up right. And so far it looks like I made a good call. 

Name: Lorie | Date: May 4th, 2006 10:45 PM
I think that its no big deal to smoke. My mom got me to switch from New ports to Virgina Slim 120s. I am17. I like to smoke and I like to carry my smoke in s leather case for the attention. Smoking is much better than drinking or using drugs. My mom and I have deal. I can smoke and she buys them for me only if I get straight (A)s in school and not drink or use drugs or have sex. This deal I can live with and works good. If smoking is your daughters only bad habbit, incurage her to smoke. Just dont let her break the deal. My mom tought me the art of female smoking. She make me smoke 120s and carry them in a case. This insure to her that I am not trying to be cool or anything and that I just simply enjoy smoking my Virgin Slims and act lady like about it. So chill out. Make your daughter smoke a non cool cig and make her carry them in a case. She will ether quit because she smoking a grandmo cig and feels tacky or she will continue to smoke cause she really likes it. either way what the big deal. 

Name: Paul C. | Date: May 10th, 2006 11:28 AM
I understand where you're coming from. I found out my daughter had sex with a boy on my sister's couch only three doors down from my other sister's house where I stopped for the night, after I asked her to come down to watch me rehearse for a charity show, I also found out that she did it again in her Army Cadets Xmas Camp (both whilst she was 15). While I had no problems with that I did have problems with the fact that neither she nor my wife could openly talk about the subject, despite all my efforts of 'dropping hints'. To be honest it turned my mind to a stage where I ended up having to leave home for a short while. Also whilst I was living out I found that my daughter had been smoking behind our backs for some 2 years or so. I am back at home now and my daughter has just turned 16, my wife who smokes too did not want my daughter to smoke in front of her whereas I would prefer my daughter to smoke openly rather than still hide it, I am a non-smoker and have never done it in my life. My daughter now smokes in the house. My only problem now is that there are two thoughts that go through my head: 'Why' - When my daughter was 11 or 12 she used to detest people who smoke, both I and my daughter used to hide my wife's fags or stamp on them, my daughter couldn't even touch an ashtray, so why would someone who hated it so much decide to start. The only explanation I give myself is that all her best friends smoke, so maybe it would have been inevitable for her to do it. Also 'How Long' - I have guessed as too long she has been doing it but would be happier knowing how long she has hidden this for. My honest opinion for myself is that I feel I have lost my little girl and partner in crime in anti-smoking. I know that if I ask her these questions she would just shut me out. I also know that if I tell her how wrong it is or try to stop her it would probably make things worse and force her into leaving home, I just hope that someday she will decide for herself to quit and I intend to help her through it. I also hope she falls in love with someone that hates smokers which may give her the incentive she needs. 

Name: lauren | Date: May 18th, 2006 6:26 AM
i am 15 years old and my mam found out i smoked when i was about 14. i cannot stop.also i had a pregnancy scare but i wasnt pregnant.i thought my mam would of killed me but she said she is there for me.i have lots of friends who are bisexual..if your daughter needs 2 talk 2 me let her....i am here 4 her:).xx 

Name: tracey | Date: May 18th, 2006 9:02 PM
im a 15 yr old and my mum acuses me of smoking and coming home high but i thiink parents should give us kids a break were more mature and have a lot more info of wat risks are and were not that stupid to get orselves mixed up with croweds lyk our parents did so ppl give us some slack somtimes we even like to experiment 

Name: Beittney | Date: May 24th, 2006 4:16 PM
My best friends mom let her start smoking when she wuz 11. When Megan wuz about tu turn 11 her mom asked her what she wanted for her birthday. Megan told her she would like to start smoking for her 11th birthday present. So her mom, who also smokes, bought her a carton of cigarettes & set her down and taught her how tu smoke, u know how to inhale and stuff.

Megan lives across the street from me & so we would spend alot uf time together. i really looked up tu her cuz she wuz like 2 years older than me & would help me with make-up, hair & stuff. On the afternoon uf my 9th birthday. Megan text messaged me and told me tu cum over tu her house...that she had a birthday surprise for me. When i got their she prsented me with a wrapped presnt. It wuz a carton uf marlborro 100 cigarettes in red flip to box. she announced she wuz guna teach me how tu smoke. I wuz a little unsure at first cuz even though my mom smoked, i knew she didnt approve uf Megans smoking & so she definatelly wouldnt approve uf me smoking. Anyway after thinking about for a moment & thinking how itz not fair that my mom, Megans mom and Megan get tu enjoy cigarettes so why shouldnt i., i agreed she could teach me. When she showed me how tu inhale i wuz surprized i didnt even caugh or feel sick or anything. in fact i almost immediately like them. my mom smoked when she wuz pregent with me so i probablly had cigarettes in my DNA. It didnt take long befor i wuz smoking behind my momz back. i could get away with it cuz since my mom smoked tu, she couldnt smell it on me.

When i wuz 10, my mom left a lit cigarette in the ashtray in the kitchen while she went out in the back tu change the water. i wuz like taking big drags off her cigarette, like id done hundredz uf times, when she came back in before i thought she would & caught me smoking her citgarette. She wuz like "what du u think your doing? so u think u want tu smoke, du u? Before i could get a word out uf my mouth, shez like shoving a whole pak uf cigarettes at me & daring me tu chain smoke the whole pak. Shez like, "you chain smoke this whole pak & if u can honestly say u still want tu smoke after your done, well then i give up. She didnt know i had been smoking behind her back for over a year & that i had in fact chain smoked more than a whole pak of cigarettes many times over at Megans house. In fact i spent many hours at Megans house everyday where we chain smoked and gossiped. Megans mom let us smoke all we wanted and i could get all the cigarettes i wanted over there. As i lit the first cigarette & took a deep drag, i could see my my studying my facial expressions. She continued tu study my face drag after drag, cigarette after cigarette waiting for me to crack or get sick or sumthing. i couldnt believe she had told me tu smoke a whole pak. she thought i would get sick but i wuz actually in heaven. After about an hour uf watching me, shez like "your no beginner, u been smoking a while havent u?" & im like what makes u say that and sheez like "your just tu much intu it to have just started, i can tell u been smoking for a while" i confessed id been smoking behind her back for over a year. At that point she said forget it, i guess id rather u smoke in front uf me than behind my back. Later that day she came back from the store with about 6 different brands of cigarettes for me tu try so i could settle on one brand. she had lights and regulars and menthals in several different brands. i thanked her but told her i would try them but that i luved marlborros & had already settled on marlborro 100's sum time back.

Since i started smoking openly in front uf my mom, our relationship haz really impoved. i can talk tu her about anything now. At first she tried tu limit me tu 2 pakz a day but that didnt last long cuz i would run out uf cigarettes by late afternoon. Now she letz me smoke all i want and we have sum uf our best talks while having a cigarette tugether.

Since your daughter's been smoking behind your back itz too late tu make her stop now so your better off just accepting it. Therez no way u can make a gir tul stop once shez started. Buy her several different brandz uf cigarettes and she will soon settle on one brand if she hazzent already. Dont try tu limit her smoking she will just smore even more. Tell her that u luv her and that although u wish she didnt smoke, u would rather she did not du it behind your back and that u want her tu be open with it az well az with everything else. This will make her trust u and will let her know that she can discuss anything with u. your relationship will be much better than itz ever been before. 

Name: Dani | Date: Jun 1st, 2006 3:29 PM
As the 34 year old single mother of 4 young girls ages 10-15, I can tell you from my own experience and after many winless battles with my two oldest daughters several years ago, that forbiding a girl to smoke who has already started, will not only damage your relationship, but is doomed to failure.

After going through it with my two oldest daughters, almost loosing their trust and driving an enormous wedge between us, I have learned to relax around issues such as smoking. We have finally come to a truce and things are much better between us now. Being a 2 pak a day smoker since I was 12, I now realize how unrealistic it was for me to try to deny my daughters something that has provided me so much pleasure over the years. I was'nt willing to quit, so how could I expect my daughters to. It just caused a lot of recentment and unessary heartache..

When my 12 year old started smoking last year, I simply sat down and we talked about how much I love her and the risks involved in her decission to smoke. There was no fight, no battle nor the defiance I encounted with my older daughters. We hugged and I laid down some ground rules around her smoking, such as not smoking in bed, using an ash tray at all times, empting her ash trays, not asking strangers to buy cigarettes for her, and common courtesey things like not lighting up in peoples cars or indoors without permission of the people around her. I agreed to buy her cigarettes for her and placed no limits on the amount she could smoke providing she followed my guide lines and kept her school grades up. Once I was resigned to the fact that her older sisters were going to smoke with or without my blessings, I tryed placing limits on the amount they smoked, which just opened more battles and challenged them to continue sneaking around behind my back, which can only be more dammaging.

I smoked behind my parents back until I left home and our battles were legend and our relationship bad to this day. I did not want the same thing to happen to us.

My youngest daughter, who is 10, has been capaigning against her older sisters and my smoking for the last few years. She would hide our cigarettes and leave anti smoking articales laying around the house for us to see, as well as pointing out the health risks. So needless to say, I was surprised last week when I noticed her hawking drags off a cigarette along with her sisters while having breakfast. I thought she would be the one with some sense in our family up until then. I told her I was shocked to see her smoke. She was inhailing drag after drag and releasing the smoke in long, luxurious streams in the same way that her sisters do. She told me that she started smoking a few weeks ago on a challenge from her 12 year old sister who had promissed her she would quit smoking if she could quit herself after learning to smoke. Well anyway to make a long story short, my 10 year old had admittedly got hooked and now confesses she loves it and will never quit. She said she had no idea how good they would taste and how calming they would be. It's almost irronic that the girl who just a few weeks ago was so against smoking was now smoking even more that her sisters.

We had our little talk and a hug and things between us are really good. Your relationship with your daughter will be far better if things are out in the open. Clear the air and accept that she smokes because once a girl starts, nothing you say will make her stop...she'll only do it behind your back and you will drive a wedge between you two and you will see her less and less as she continues doing what she's going to do, behind your back. 

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