I'm 11 and my whole family smokes. I hate it! When I hear my brother cough it just makes me wanna scream!!!! I can''t live with the smell and all my life is is screaming and yelling. My mom and dad are soooooo mean now that I, I just don't know what to do. Just trust me it's hell.I have tried and tried everything. I've asked and tried to force. I just hate them! I just can't take it so pleeeeeeeeeease help!!!!!
2007-08-22 15:07:58 · 26 answers · asked by Liz L 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Ive offered them patches and told them how I feel and it wont work!!
2007-08-22 15:20:56 · update #1
oh hun, yes, i'm about your age, but i go through the same thing! except its just my sister but that means a lot. tell your family that they are risking your health, and they are doing the same to themselves. offer them stuff such as gum, patches, etc to stop smoking. just tell them how you feel. maybe they will stop for you! im sorry that you have to deal with this. i wish i could help. good luck!
okay im back. do you think going to a therapist would help? i go to one and she really puts my mind at ease. maybe your family will stop. really, its possible! if they really think about how much they are hurting you its an idea. also, smoking is all mental and oral. so like chewing gum can help since your using your mouth. why do you get an air purifier for your room to get all the smoke out? and put a towel under your door to block it out.
2007-08-22 15:17:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry. If you've tried to get them to change and they won't, there's not too much you can do about them. Just keep telling them that smoking can cause so many health problems. My grandma just died last week from cancer which was basically due to her smoking her whole life. Tell them that you don't want that to happen to them.
But if they still won't stop I guess I have a few suggestions to help you.
1. Talk to someone about it. Like a friend or other relative or even a school counselor. Or write in a journal and vent out all your anger into it. I keep a journal mainly for those times when I just need to write a whole lot of nasty stuff about ppl in it. It helps a lot.
2. Try to find a place where you can just be alone. If your room smells like smoke, then don't go there. Maybe try to find a place around your neighborhood like a park or something that you can just walk to and relax.
3. Do stuff with your friends a lot. That way you don't have to be around your house a lot and deal with the smoking.
I hope some of these ideas help! Good luck and I hope that they'll stop smoking and that you'll feel a lot better!
2007-08-22 23:19:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than the smoking is there any thing else that they do that they shouldn't? Are you well fed and clothed. Because if not call the state on them and tell them that you feel that your life is being endangered and you could be moved to a foster home or even a family members home where the state is insured that your health is not endangered. Other than that I really don't know of anything you can do until you are 16 or 17. And that is become a emancipated teen. But to do that I think that you have to have a job to pay for some of your bills and you could or possibly would get funding from the state to pay some of your bills.
2007-08-30 14:51:48 · answer #3 · answered by Billie Jo R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smoking is an addiction. I suggest you show your parents the question you posted, and tell them you love them. Tell them you have researched what smoking can do to you and show them the web sites. I am sure they already know the risks of smoking, but maybe not exactly how worried you are. Yelling and screaming, fighting or what ever is not going to work, they will just think you are being a brat. For 11 you seem very smart, show them that it really hurts and scares you for them, and yourself.
I don't know if this will work, but I hope it helps you.
2007-08-28 21:16:26 · answer #4 · answered by Wayne S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to understand that you cannot control your parents behavior, but when you say there's a lot of screaming and they're mean....What do you mean? Do they scream and get mad when you ask them to stop smoking? Many smokers are extremely sensitive about being educated on the effects of smoking, so this would explain that behavior. If it is really bothering you....where you are constantly thinking about it....you may want to talk to your doctor. If school is back in, talk with a school counselor, even if it's just to vent and get your feelings out in the open, perhaps he or she can give you some suggestions.
2007-08-30 19:47:39 · answer #5 · answered by Mel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry to hear that!! I'm sure it must be terrible. :(
I don't think you can do anything about your family smoking, but maybe you could have the windows opened as often as possible, and maybe you could spray some nice-smelling air freshener around the house to make it not smell like smoke that much.
Try to get out as much as you can (if you're allowed) and not breathe in all those toxic fumes. While you're in school, you could make up all kinds of excuses to stay out later, like you have to do a project, or you're helping out with something, etc. Always keep your bedroom door closed so not as much smoke could get in there.
Start saving up money so when you're 18, you can move out!! You'll probably feel much better when you're living on your own without the stink of cigarettes all over everything and everyone.
Good luck and God bless.
2007-08-22 22:20:57 · answer #6 · answered by cosmopolitan_nyc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't hate them, hate their addiction. I know you love your family very much and don't want to see them suffer because of bad choices. All you can do is just share with them how you feel and try to make things better for yourself.
I grew up in a smoker household and I just did the best I could. At that time we were really ignorant to the dangers of cigarettes. All we knew was that it just smelled bad. As much as I did try to get away from it I couldn't because I lived there and it would get into my clothes and stuff through the vents.
I mostly stayed envolved with school activities, got a job at 16 and moved out at 18. I had lots of friends and stayed at their houses alot or at church. Just pray, God will make a way for you, too.
2007-08-30 21:04:55 · answer #7 · answered by tjolacy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know exactly what you mean. My mom smokes and I just hate it. It is really hard knowing that someone you care about so much is at a lot higher risk of dying from lung cancer or anything else. I hate it too. Just tell your mom what I just said and maybe she will listen to you, but don't get too dissapointed if she doesn'r listen because I've tried telling the same thing to my mom and it doesn't work. I hope it all works out!
2007-08-30 19:32:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you poor thing. I know how frustrating it is. I've been around second hand smoke my whole life too. My mom died from lung cancer. I have asthma, my sister smokes and I pray she does not die from lung cancer as well. I'm sure your family is aware of the health risks involved with smoking. You have already shared your objections with them. Try one last thing, maybe a letter, tell them the smoking upsets you because of the health risks and the second hand smoke bothers you a lot. If they continue to smoke around you, cough a lot -leave the room-try to get fresh air anyway you can. good luck.
2007-08-30 15:47:08 · answer #9 · answered by cafe_au_lait 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is your parents home and as adult they set the limits. But they have to want to stop smoking and the patch only helps not stops them from smoking. You have asked your parents to stop and nothing more will work.
Get an air purifier for your bedroom, keep the door closed, etc. I used to live with parents who smoked and I know it is hard but if you spend time in your bedroom you will be fine.
2007-08-30 22:08:04 · answer #10 · answered by banananose_89117 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋