My little sister knows I smoke now! =(
By maezee
@maezee (41988)
United States
December 8, 2010 9:25pm CST
..but I told her I was trying to quit. I've been a
pack-a-day smoker for about 2 years now.. And I've hid
it the whole time from my 8 year old sister, Leah,
until last week - when she and her mother happened to
be over my house and I was getting home, got out of my
car and had a cigarette, and apparently, she was
watching (we don't live together, so this is why I was
able to keep it a secret for so long). I confronted
her about seeing me smoking and asked her if she
thought less of me because of it. She said "yes",
which was shocking but I should have expected it.
She's such a smart girl, and I told her that I got
into the habit about six months ago (didn't want her
to know the whole truth), that I wouldn't do it around
her, that it's not a good habit to have, and that I
was trying to quit (this isn't necessarily true), but
now I am taking her knowing that I smoke as a
motivation to quit. Of course, I just bought a
carton..So of course I want to smoke those first.
Smokers, how do you handle making sure your kid or
younger sibling knows that YOUR habits are not habits
for the kids to pick up, or look up to? And have you
ever been in a similar situation? I'm not sure if i
handled it right, but I knew I needed to have a sit-
down talk with her instead of deny it.. I've never
been a big sister before, but I feel like I've
betrayed her.. and am not a good role model.
Hmm.. Insights, anyone?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
13 Dec 10
I tried smoking when I was younger, but it wasn't really me. So, I don't necessarily have this particular problem (but I think I would soon have the same discussion with my kids about drinking).
I know that it must have been a difficult ordeal to go through, admitting and trying to explain it to your sister, but I think you're taking this the right way. To make this episode as your motivation to quit.
And I wish you luck in that!
@buggles64 (2709)
• United States
11 Dec 10
I know smoking is a bad habit, and it's great that you want to quit. Children do pick up on abits of those they love. Our children are watching us. I know quitting must be hard, because my Dad was a smoker for many years until it took his life in 2008 from all the complications. I would suggest you first quit for yourself rather than for your sister.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
9 Dec 10
I think this would be a great time to teach her that people each make their own choices in life and this is their right as long as they don't break the law or harm others. The fact that you chose to smoke doesn't make you a bad person in fact you have been smoking for some time so there is nothing different about you
except the fact that she now knows. This mean she has made the choice to judge you differently then she did before. In hiding the real world or lying about it
you don't do her any favors while she is learning how to accept many different people and situations. And if the truth be know now that she knows you smoke you will not be able to hide it from her, because smokers smell bad to nonsmokers, it comes from your skin, hair and no matter how clean you are you still smell of smoke.
@alfred8 (61)
• China
9 Dec 10
Now that your habit of smoking disapoints your little sister, you should do more to get her trust.First you need make a decision of quiting it, if you get your sister to supervise in the coming days, it will be easier to let her how important your trust is to you.If you can do these, you will still be her role model.
@angeline1 (144)
•
9 Dec 10
We have the same situation.My sister smokes non stop.But my parents and siblings doesn't know she smokes.I don't when will she stop smoking.I don't tell it to anyone.She goes hiding and smoke somewhere.But later on she will realize how hard to have cancer of throat like Michael Douglas.I told her that to stop smooking already.But she will not quit at all.Smoking is a addiction.
@shibham (16977)
• India
9 Dec 10
Hi maezee...
I am also a smoker but not habituate to it. I have only one sister and she is too smart to handle any situation. As i have already over 30, i have nothing to hide it from my sister but yes, i hide it from my parents but i don't know how they came tpo know... Perhaps they saw ash or empty packet somewhere....
have a nice day.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
9 Dec 10
My father is a smoker as well and i don't see him any different from others. His habit might be unhealthy but that's just him. I won't look at him differently, because he has been smoking for so long. It's not easy for him to quit too. When i'm a child, he respects us by not smoking in the house. As we grow up, we understand things, he began to smoke at home, by the window side but never in front of us. The same goes for u, u are a smoker, but u will never smoke in front of them right?
@aleic27 (161)
• Philippines
9 Dec 10
I understand you, because I also have a kid...
Her father is a smoker, and so far he still haven't quit...
I'm afraid that she will pick up that bad habit too...
For your sister, I guess you just have to tell her quitting is not that easy. And why not motivate yourself to quit to see your sister happy? That is a good inspirational motivation to start. ^^
