Explaining vaping to children???

[hogl3g]

Was just wondering how if at all you guys explain vaping to your kids. I have a house full of them running around and one on the way in August. The two little guys are three and six. The oldest is 13. He is an athletic type and has never shown any interest in smoking at all, but is old enough to see that I have made the switch from analogs to vaping and can comprehend the difference. My two youngest always see me playing around with juices, mods and just general cleaning etc. They usually ask what I am doing. Not so sure what to tell them since they are so young I don't think they would know the difference anyway. I never would smoke analogs in front of them and try to hide when they are around and I want to vape. I know the positive attributes to vaping vs smoking but don't want to confuse them. Since I am a total vape head this seems to weigh on my mind frequently. Any words of advice?
TIA

 

[Rosa]

well, mine are 6 and 11. I think in a way it's easier for me because I did smoke in front of them. The older one gets it, she knows what's going on here.

The younger one is mad that I didn't stop the smoking action, but he does seem to understand that it's not smoking and it's not "bad" like smoking was but that it's still just for grown ups. He's mostly mad because something is not about him. He used to tell me to quit because smoking is bad (they taught him at school) but he doesn't say that anymore, now he just wants more attention since we are now in the same room as opposed to me being outside and him being inside.

I think in time he will understand that in a perfect world I would not need to vape or smoke, but that's not going to happen so this is the better alternative. It does help that I used to smoke in front of them though so that they can have the comparison.

 

[H Niemand]

My kids are adults and happy I am switching. In fact, my daughter is also switching. My grand kids keep telling me how good I smell. I never smoked around my grands but they sure smelled it on me.

 

[tweber]

I have two small ones (4 adn 6) and unfortunately used to smoke around them. When I made the switch, I didn't say anything until they asked, which took about 2 weeks (maybe they're not very observant?) I just told them I was now doing this instead because it wasn't as bad for me and it wouldn't make the house stink. I'm proud of my accomplishment by quitting smoking, but don't want to gamorize vaping to them, so I do try to be discreet. I also try to cover the LED because my son thinks it's cool, and I won't buy a pv that looks "flashy." I'd love to bling one out with jewels and decals just for fun, but I try to keep them looking boring. Also, plenty of common sense stuff like keeping them out of reach and making sure my juices are stored safely. My husband always wants to know what flavor I'm using and wants to try them, but I won't even mention flavors in front of the kids. The last thing they need to hear is that something tastes like chocolate mint. They also refer to my eGo as "that thing you blow INTO" and I'm not going to correct them. I also do all my maintenance while they're not around and store my juices in the bathroom so I can refill behind a locked door. I guess they think I just have to pee alot.

Congratulations on making the switch and on the new one on the way. If you're looking for names, may I suggest Misty, Janty, or Reo?

 

[N2rock]

My youngest are 14yr twins. They are happy I don't smell like an ashtray, and enjoy the smells of vaping. They now tease me with "you're such a vapehead" everytime a new toy or flavor arrives in the mail LOL. My other two are adults and are just happy I'm off analogs.

Although it was kinda weird when they saw me with a syringe the other day (bought it when I bought the clearos).

 

[MoonRose]

Why not tell them the truth ...

You started using e-cigs because you love them so much that you wanted to quit smoking cigarettes so that you can live a longer and healthier life with them. That you had tried to stop smoking using other stop smoking products but that those didn't work for you. Even though e-cigs may not be 100% safe they are much safer to use than smoking cigarettes (95-99% safer if child is old enough to understand percentages). For older children you can go into detail about nicotine use.

 

[Nev]

I haven't got my kit yet (I make it sound like its so long LOL I only ordered it 2 days ago), but I sat down with my son to explain it to him. My son is almost 22 but he is special needs, so I figured it best not to shock him. I explained it to him in detail and his response was...Oh you are buying an e-cig. Saw them online. That's cool! LOL

He surprises me sometimes with his eclectic knowledge.

 

[uba egar320]

There is only one logical way to explain my devices to a six year old. It's mine, it's important, and if you touch it, you'll blow up!

 

[Rosa]

There is only one logical way to explain my devices to a six year old. It's mine, it's important, and if you touch it, you'll blow up!

Thanks, that might work on my son! He doesn't mess with it, isn't really very interested in it - it's just more competition for my time.

 

[Astronomer]

Yeah I have a problem there, my kids know I smoked and are very supportive, but my grandkids never did, as they somewhat idolize me and I didn’t want them seeing me do that.

I don’t think I will vape in front of them, too much to explain.

 

[nubee]

I told both of my boys from day one that smoking was bad and to tell me so anytime they "caught" me smoking - I did not smoke in the car/house. I even made it a $1 per capture

By the time I switched to vaping they were 11 & 15 so they were high-five'in me for making the switch.

I had to explain that the court was out on the "better than smoking" deal but at least it wasn't an analog and I might eventually be able to quite the vaping down the road.

Seems like being straight with them at some level, depending on their age, is the best approach. If that doesn't seem to be working, don't do it in front of them and treat your stash like its medicine...keep it away and locked up.

$0.02

 

[grandmato5]

The three year old may be too young but the six year old may very likely surprise you with what he's able to understand about vaping. My 6 year old grandson was very interested in Grandmas new stuff so I spent quite a bit of time explaining and answering his questions. The next day he went to school and told his teacher all about it. I ran into the teacher a few weeks later and she asked me about what he'd said. I was very proud of how actuate he'd been in what he'd told the teacher about vaping.

 

[uba egar320]

Thanks, that might work on my son! He doesn't mess with it, isn't really very interested in it - it's just more competition for my time.

Anytime. It's right up there with my other 6yr old patented warnings. Like, don't go down there, there's alligators(dangerous stairs).

 

[jlarsen]

I don't hold off vaping in front of my 10 year old son. Of course my wife and I explained to him what they are. He's glad we don't smoke stinky regular cigarettes anymore, but he's also way to0 interested in our e cigs.

He wanted to know if it was OK for kids if there was no nicotine in the liquid, we told him no. He asked if we'd buy him one when he's 18, we told him no. We had to tell him that while they are healthier than regular cigarettes, they still taste a bit like tobacco and are an "acquired taste" that only people who used to smoke cigarettes would care for, and that he wouldn't like them, and shouldn't be so interested in them.

I finally agreed that when he was 19 he could have his own e cig with 0 nic juice. I figure that buys me nine years before the subject comes up again.

I still get the feeling that he's probably telling kids on the playground "My dad smokes a Halo with Menthol Ice in it." So I'm expecting a call from the school someday or to at least get a question from a teacher at the next parent-teacher conference.

I guess as long as the D.A.R.E. officer doesn't come over to the house to see who's dad is smoking MEnTHol out of a skinny black pipe, I'll be lucky.

 

[jlarsen]

I don't hold off vaping in front of my 10 year old son. Of course my wife and I explained to him what they are. He's glad we don't smoke stinky regular cigarettes anymore, but he's also way to0 interested in our e cigs.

He wanted to know if it was OK for kids if there was no nicotine in the liquid, we told him no. He asked if we'd buy him one when he's 18, we told him no. We had to tell him that while they are healthier than regular cigarettes, they still taste a bit like tobacco and are an "acquired taste" that only people who used to smoke cigarettes would care for, and that he wouldn't like them, and shouldn't be so interested in them.

I finally agreed that when he was 19 he could have his own e cig with 0 nic juice. I figure that buys me nine years before the subject comes up again.

I still get the feeling that he's probably telling kids on the playground "My dad smokes a Halo with Menthol Ice in it." So I'm expecting a call from the school someday or to at least get a question from a teacher at the next parent-teacher conference.

I guess as long as the D.A.R.E. officer doesn't come over to the house to see who's dad is smoking MEnTHol out of a skinny black pipe, I'll be lucky.

 

[Puffy545]

My brother is 8 and I'm worried he will want to try it. He drinks my coffee even if I tell him it will stunt his growth.

 

[XtremeDesignz]

i agree with moon just be honest with them and explain it to them and they will understand...

 

[crazyth2000]

With a three year old she just calls it my cigarette. Have yet to correct.

 

[bander68]

I let my 15yo and 12yo taste it, they gagged. No issues after that. They love that I quit smoking and are smart enough to get it without games or anything else. The 10yo trusts his big brothers that it's gross. Now the 2yo....not sure with him, but at least now I dont wonder if I'll be alive to see him grow up!

 

[BassmanJeremy]

I have three little ones (5yrs, 4 yrs, and 1 yr) The two older ones call my ecig my "smoker". My oldest one asked for one of his Christmas presents be that I quit analogs. I tried to just quit but as we all know that was a one of a million failed attempts. But I found my ecig about a month ago and have stopped analogs all together. Of course my littlest one doesn't know but my 4 year old and 6 year old are so happy I am off the analogs. I never smoked in the house but did smoke in front of them so it isn't a shock to them to see me vape. I explained the difference to them and seem to understand it to some degree. They really love the fact that daddy doesn't smell like a ashtray anymore.