BecomeAnEX.org has teamed up with Parents Magazine

[EX Admin]

BecomeAnEX.org has teamed up with Parents magazine to help moms and dads quit for good. This is a great time for parents to plan their New Year’s resolution - and we can help! Check out our parents-related triggers and separation exercises and get started on a plan to re-learn your life without cigarettes.

[momaT]

I am excited to see other parents in the same boat as me. I have smoked 30 yrs. I have an 8 yr old son. He is my heart and soul. He has asked me several times to quit smoking. I would do anything in the world for him....so why havent I done this? My reply to him is I know son, its just hard.
He has a B day jan 18th. I told him yesterday I had something to tell him. He was so excited when I told him. I am praying with all the help and support from this website that I will be strong and do this for both him and myself.
I consider myself to be a strong person, but when it comes to smoking, its a different story. Please say prayers for us as we begin our journey!

[laura]

my prays are with you, and i wish you the very best on your journey.

[Hillegal]

My girlfriend and I both Quit today. We have a two year old, and he is the coolest little dude in the world. We have tried so many times and sometimes we get so snappy at each other infront of him. Lets hope this time is better!! If not I think he will ahve to stay with grandma for a couple hours ! HA !!!

[Tom Jackson]

Hi! I have been a smoker for 5 years. I live in Charlotte NC. I have tried quitting many times. I was sucessfull only once and that lasted just 6 months. I decided it was my time to quit for good on Jan 5th 2009. I work for a Global computer company in NC as an accountant. I have a 6 yr old little girl who is my life, i couldnt imagine life without her. I love football (GO-GIANTS!) and working out but I also enjoying be lazy and relaxing around the house watching movies. Good luck to everyone!!
Location:

[Melissa]

parents listen to me. I am a momma of 2 girls. Ages 11 and 14. The most heart breaking thing is when your baby tells you They can't wait to get big so they ca smoke just like you. That is what happened to me. My 11 yr old at the time was 10 and she told me that. I felt like someone had reached in a grabbed my heart and pulled it out. I asked her if I try my best or if I quit will she promise me she will not ever start. That it is a nasty smelly habit that I wish I would of never started. She said yes I promise. So 2 weeks later I quit. I have been quit for 7 Months, 2 Weeks. I hope other parents don't have to feel that pain I felt that day. But I am glad I did so I would quit. So parents before you feel like you heart is being ripped out quit smoking. YOu will be glad you did.

[Gwen]

I have 3 lovely children. My middle child had to write a persuasive letter for school. Her topic? Getting my mom to quit smoking. I have smoked for 20 years and have previously attempted to quit smoking. I lasted about 6 months. This time I'm using the patch. I hope I'm more successful. I quit as of January 1, 2009. So far so good!

[Missy]

I am a mother of three wonderful kids. Their ages are 3.5, 2 and 6months. I have smoked for about 10 years. My kids are now at the age where they are interested more in what I am doing. This means they are interested in me smoking. I do not want them to think it is a cool thing to do or want to ever try it.

[Codie Lynn Long-Gallegos]

Hi I am a mother of a 16 month old beautiful daughter, I am wanting to quit on Feb 14th as a valentines gift to my daughter and myself. I want to be able to feel better and be healthier so I can get out more and not feel so out of breath. I have heard that they have researched that 3rd hand smoke (which is the things that come in to contact with the smoke) like clothing, hair, your hands, is just as bad as 1st hand smoke because of the chemicals that are in the smoke. So yes even though I smoke outdoors it is still getting chemicals in my hair and clothing etc. Then I was thinking about all those times when i come from having a cigarette and my daughter runs up and wants to be next to me, and how all those chemicals on me are now going to her. My smoking effects her in more ways then I know. She deserves the best and this is not one that she should have to suffer with, the smell, the 3rd hand smoke, a mother who has trouble keeping up with her all because of a nasty habit/addiction. I can do this.

[michele]

I feel like loser, why am i so weak that I can not quit smoking.

[Tasha]

My son told me he didn't want me to smoke anymore because cigarette's kill. He is 6!!! I've tried numerous times to quit but those words stung me more than anything I've ever heard.

There are so many parents out there struggling. My heart goes out to each and every one of them!

[Teresa]

I have been a smoker for a very long time. My 2 oldest kids 26 and 25 smoke. I have 3 still at home 15,12,9. They have been at me to quit smoking for a long time. Like many others I have tried several times and failed. Over the last month I have been in situations where I could not smoke. I have been telling my kids I would quit. I have set several quit date and let them pass for what ever reason. I did finally set a date Feburary 4, my bestfriends birthday. I got up yesterday morning, smoked 2 cigs, got one of my kids and had him watch me destroy the pack of cigs I had and I havent had one since.. I know that those of you who are trying to quit know how hard this is. I am 46 and really really want to be done with smoking. I am glad I found this support site.

[Kelli]

This is wonderful. I think we really need to increase awareness of all of the influences that we have on our children, especially when we smoke. I've been careful thus far to make sure that I am nowhere near my 1-year-old son when I light up, and even though I wash my hands and rinse my mouth after each smoke, I know that I still have the smell on me. On top of not ever wanting to expose him to the chemicals, the smells, the health problems... I do not ever want him to be able to look back and say "But mom, you used to smoke. I saw you."