How many of you (providers) smoke? Those of you that don't, what do you do to release stress from the day?

Reply

I love to go to my library sit in the quiet adult section and read their magazines.

While I do like my glass of wine now and then, I really try to not have my "go to" for stress release be something that could create a bigger issue down the road, KWIM?

Reply

I smoke (wish I could quit). I also knit, crochet, read, cook, bake and have wine to relax. Not in that order and not at the same time. Lol tried knitting & wine before....that sock had to be completely re-knit...

Reply

I smoke- I will quit but not today... Never smoke in my house or around dck tho. I also read, watch tv, shop, to online, and crochet

Reply

I have never smoked. Hate even taking on dc families that smoke!! My release is walking or just vegging with some computer games - basically anything that I can do silently!!

Reply

I know a few ways to release stress

jokes aside If I'm still working I turn on the music (rock) and dance with the kids
or take everyone on a quick "off schedule" walk in the garden, I live in the country, stress doesn't stand a chance outdoor

Reply

Reply

I quit smoking back in May. I cross stitch, bike, drive aimlessly with the radio on, soak in the tub.

Not a big alcohol drinker because as soon as I have one, I literally CRAVE it just like I craved smokes. Wasn't a big drinker in college either.

Reply

Good for you!!

Reply

Same here. If I feel really stressed, I go upstairs to my room, close the door and take a quick nap. It doesn't happen often so my family knows to give me a little space when they see the closed door. Sometimes it helps to just get away from it all even for just a little while.

Reply

I come to this forum! If the stress is daycare related, it helps to read that others are struggling with similar issues.

Reply

I quit in January, but I do have one occasionally. I also have an e-cigarette, but it really does nothing for me. When I do have a cigarette it's during my social time so daycare isn't affected at all by it.

Reply

I only smoke at the casino
I don't crave it until I smell it

I used to smoke everyday but quit about 7 years ago when I got pregnant for the first time and I can go months to years without one now

Reply

This is my goal!!! I want to only smoke socially. I have an e-cig but it obviously isn't working...

Reply

To relieve stress I like to take a hot bath with a glass of wine and a good book. I have an eclectic taste in books so I'll read anything from history to fiction. I don't smoke.

Reply

I quit smoking almost 6 years ago when I was pregnant with my first. I started daycare 4 years ago in January. Had my second baby almost 2 years ago. Then 6 months ago I started smoking again. The stress from daycare is really getting to me!!! It's not even the daycare kids!!! Sometimes the parents but mostly my own children. My oldest has severe mental issues and my youngest cries most of the day. No matter what I do with my own children it doesn't get better. I started crocheting 3 years ago and I love it! The past few weeks I haven't been able to because of pain in my hands.

Honestly I would like to quit. But my youngest is such a handful, I'm afraid I would go through multiple daycares or he would be hurt.

Reply

I get on the computer. I watch a little t.v. sometimes or read or just doze off.

I have never smoked or drank.

Laurel

Reply

I quit smoking 8 years ago. All of my older kids had tried to get me to quit with the standard.. we are afraid it is going to kill you (or them, even though I did not smoke in the house) and it didn't work. I always MEANT to quit, I just couldn't/wouldn't/didn't.
Then one day my youngest (about 4) was watching me smoke. She said, "Mommy, I can't wait until I grow up, so I can smoke like you." I made an appointment the next day to get help and quit a month later.
Oh, and I like a glass of wine for supper or before bed, but I really don't get stressed.
Rule one: Don't sweat the small stuff.
Rule two: 99.9% of things are small stuff.

Reply

That is a lot... hang in there! I quit for each pregnancy and then started again it happens- but maybe you need to focus on getting you time at the moment. Can you get away for a bit? If you do have one son who is special needs could you qualify for respite care? If not what about adding a solidly enforced bedtime? You need to get some time for you to refresh-
What's happening with your little one? Maybe you could get some ideas to help?

Reply

I've thought about getting an e-cig. I tried my sister's and I liked it

Reply

chocolate!

I supply consumables for our center's snack bar. For about 20 employees in our building, I buy 10 bags of chocolate per week We don't have any smokers at our facility- it'd be hard to be one since there isn't a way to get smoke breaks outside our lunch break.

If my husband gets off work earlyish (meaning not home at 7 pm), we like to take family walks after dinner. It's a nice way to tire our three year old twins out a little before bed and get away from watching tv

Reply

I quit over 20 years ago & run now.....

Reply

I have never smoked.

I exercise, take a hot bath, have a glass of wine, read a book, take a walk, go for a bike ride, have sex ()...

I used to eat, and that led to a 60lb weight gain that took a while to come off, so now eating is out! Even when it's healthy food, if I am stressed I over eat.

Reply

I try to get some me time on the weekends but we usually have so much to do that it just doesn't happen. My husband goes to work at noon and gets home after 10 pm. By the time he gets home I'm going to bed soon and can't leave in the morning.

Reply

I run!

Reply

I quit about 6 years ago. My husband was in a nearly fatal car accident & started back up last year. He hates it though, & is doing counseling to try & quit His medication he's on for the lifelong disability he sustained increase his risky/addictive behaviour, so it's very hard for him to quit again now. He never smokes around the kids though. My favourite stress reliever is shopping at the thrift stores.

Reply

I don't smoke - sometimes I wish I did lol.

I have a bad habit of comfort eating so I try & be aware of that. This year I am quilting so that is a huge stress reliever for me. I also read, play candy crush, come to this forum, & have some time with my husband

Reply

same here

Reply

Smoking--- Ugh No!

I feel for those of you trying to quit, have watched many people in my life quit and not easy. Kudos to those of you that are trying.

My stress reliever- I watch reality TV. Taking on others peoples issues seems to make mine less important.

Right now my stress reliever is motivation. I am motivated to eat better and move more- That is where I am at.

I also come here and it is a great to know others share in the everyday everyday stuff, this job can be very isolating at times and just having all of you out there is a help

Reply

I used to smoke. I quit when I was pregnant 10 years ago, the started again. Then I quit about a year and a half ago when I was pregnant again and haven't smoked since. But believe me, there is barely a day that goes by that I don't want to start again and if it wasn't so bad for you, I probably would. My main reasons for not starting up again are my kids, my husband (he quit too so we have a deal to not ever do it again) and of course my health.
To relieve stress while the kids are here, I take a break during nap and go on the computer. I do occasionally have a couple of beers after work too.

Reply

I have never smoked.To relieve stress I put my earphones in and listen to Pandora. Music always take my stress away along with cleaning house.

Reply

I stopped smoking years ago. Not sure how I would stay sane n yearn for a cigarette all day if I kept smoking n did daycare. Now I make a to do list everyday. When I need a break I work on my list. Keeps me busy n productive.

Reply

Please join the forum! We may not be experts on everything, but there are a lot of folks here that might be able to help with your youngest and lend a supportive ear, at least.

Reply

That's one of the reasons I don't feel motivated to quit! So many ex smokers say they could start again so easily!
I'm also already over wheight and fear ill gain a ton more!!
Right now I'm focused on getting healthier with my eating and exercising.

Reply

I have never smoked. If I interview a family and they smell of smoke, I won't take them. Honestly, I think it's ridiculous that licensed providers in my state are allowed to smoke in the home at all.
I turn up some good music and sing along, or read. If I don't have extra children here (just my own), I take a nap. Naps are lovely.

Reply

Licensed providers in your state can SMOKE IN THEIR HOUSE??? (Gasp)

I personally wouldn't have an issue as a parent with my provider smoking, but certainly not in a house or car with my kid!!

Reply

We can smoke in our houses here too, but not during hours and we have to tell parents if smoking occurs in the home or on the premises when children are not in care.

Reply

Oh my!! I thought I stated I NEVER smoke in my house!!!
ill try again: I NEVER (when daycare kids are here or not!) SMOKE IN MY HOUSE!
I also don't smoke around my daycare children!

Reply

Oh I didn't think anyone here said they smoked in the house but I was just flabbergasted that in some states, licensed providers CAN smoke in their house. Wow is all lol

Reply

My bad!!!
I didn't feel attacked just thought someone misunderstood-
And even as a smoker I wouldn't allow my kids to be cared for in a home where there was smoking inside!

Reply

AGREED!!

Reply

Me too!! Yard work helps too, or going shopping (if it's the weekend) I can spend an entire afternoon in Lowe's. Bike riding with my daughter is a good stress reliever as well. Can't do the alcohol anymore. Just makes me feel bad.

Reply

I don't smoke. I am licensed and it is not allowed anywhere in the vicinity of the daycare so if I did, I am not sure how one would be able to work that into the day when you are by yourself.

Anyway, I don't have much time since I started back to school but I LOVE yoga as a stress relief and it makes my body feel so good. I hope I can make it to class a couple times a month, we'll see.

Reply

I do not smoke. I eat to de-stress. Yes, I am big. I also hijack my kid's iPad to play Bloons. A tall cup of Chai Tea Latte is very soothing to me.

Reply

I am fairly certain she means after hours. I can't think of one state that allows it during child care hours. Since smoking is legal for adults 18 and up I don't think the state can stop you from doing it after hours. Just like we can't drink during day care hours but can after.

Reply

I'm still not sure I would want my own kids staying with a provider that smoked after hours in their home. I wouldn't mind if they smoked and did it outside their home though.

And don't take me wrong, I've been known to smoke an occasional cigarette. Sometimes late at night husband and I will sit outside by a fire, listening to the coyotes and ill roll us both a cigarette. I haven't had a commercial cig in 15 years.

I don't have a problem with a provider who smokes. I just don't want my kids to smell like a cigarette butt when they come home lol.

And this sounds horrible but if my daughters best friends mom smoked in her house, I wouldn't allow my daughter to go stay over there.

My daughter has asthma. And while third hand smoke doesn't make her react, I not allow her to be around someone actively smoking. Even my own mother.

Reply

Don't get me wrong, I despise smoking and would never allow it around my kids. But I maintain that the state can't regulate legal activity that takes place after dc hours.

Reply

I don't like my own kids going to people's homes who smoke

Reply

It's nothing against the person or their quality of care for me. Just the health issues is all.

I've seen some on this forum act like people that smoke, have a beer after hours, or someone who takes a pill for a chronic controlled illness can't adequately and completely run an awesome daycare program and that just isn't the case.

Reply

I agree 100%!
I also try to be a polite smoker. Yes - I can make the choice for myself but I won't expose my kids to it in their home or car, to my daycare families at all and I even prefer non smoking restaurants!
I am honestly surprised it has never been an issue if dcp find out I do smoke. I assume its because my home never smells of it.
I could personally care less what other people do in off hours as long as it doesn't effect the care they provide over all

Reply

Agree also.

I don't inform my parents I have an occasional smoke outside. Is none of their business. Like I said, it doesn't affect my quality of care in any way.

Reply

As someone else verified, yes, in my state you are allowed to smoke in your home, just not when open. I don't think it equates to drinking a beer at all. Drinking a beer does not cause adverse health issues in those around it. Smoking does.
I turned my daughter's friend down for a playdate/sleepover because I know her parents smoke. I am not subjecting my child to that.

Reply