Stinky kid @ daycare

jralopez · May 2013

Let me first start by saying that I love my child's daycare. The teacher is fantastic and my daughter really has a great time there. Recently a new child started whos mom is a chain smoker. This child who is in the nursery with my daughter, stinks of second hand smoke in the worst way! She really makes the room stink and the sheets in her crib stink too. I have spoken to her teacher and she says that there is nothing she can do but I disagree. Isn't this harmful to the other children??

jralopez · May 2013

Im so torn and I really feel for the kid...its not her fault. I wish her mom would just take it outside or something.

Latham12 · May 2013

MandJS:
jralopez:
Im so torn and I really feel for the kid...its not her fault.  I wish her mom would just take it outside or something.
FWIW, I'd be both calling CPS on that mother because second hand (and even third hand) smoke is a BIG deal AND I'd be finding a new DCP because again. Third hand smoke risks are real.

I would be doing this. If my daycare provider refused to do anything I would tell them they are endangering my child and that we are finding a different daycare. I'd call CPS on the daycare and fill them in on the situation bc that's endangering all of the children.

Empireceo · May 2013

I agree there's not much you can do besides talk to the daycare. That poor child.

opaque1997 · May 2013

That poor baby

A few notes.. for those that said they would find a different provider.. I don't know about anywhere around you - but thats a lot easier said then done. All the centers near me have a 3 - 12 month wait list.. or cost more then I can even imagine. (and often even those have wait lists)

A few things you could offer / try / convince.. changing her clothes when she got there would help a ton. Maybe you could even go so far as offer to donate some? (that might be awkward)

Perhaps see if you could donate / provide a air filter for the room? They can be pricey but for me it would be worth it (we use blueair filters at my house with smokestop filters (for our fireplace that we use to heat because I'm allergic to the wood) - they easily run $300 though... fyi

Its going to be a tight spot for your provider - I dont' think they can really ask much of the family - and CPS is a dangerous slope.. I would think LONG and hard before calling them. I've had CPS involved with a g/f of mine (her child had emotional issues that in all fairness she wasn't addressing - but CPS went a little too far.. it worked out but man its a rough road) and bottom lini like other said - though yes its harmful - so is using the wrong carseat and offering your child honey too early and cps certainly isn't going to intervene in those situations 90% of the time.

opaque1997 · May 2013

OH and I would ask that her sheet be changed daily and that your child get a crib as far away from the other child as possible.. (though if other parents are asking to it may not be possible

)

ChristyML · May 2013

Is the mom smoking near the daycare building? That in itself is a huge deal.

Also, about CPS, it is not your job to decide if it's something worth investigating or not; it's the job of the CPS worker. You won't get in trouble if you ask a CPS worker if what is going on is abuse or neglect. If I were in your position, I would definitely at least call CPS and ask what can be done about this.

mamaHippo23 · May 2013

I've worked at an early childhood center for many years and we had a "smokey" kid in the two year old room last year. Turned out, it was his great-uncle who smoked around him, not the parents. I always felt bad for him, but I will say that in the big picture that is a pretty minor offense. We also had kids who had mysterious bruises, parents who cursed at their kids in front of us, and kids who wore dirty, torn clothing every day.

I am not a smoker myself and don't expose my kid to smoke, but I honestly would not be bothered by another kid in W's class smelling smokey. I can't protect my kid from everything. If you are truly concerned go ahead and report it. No harm in making a phone call.

gingerfamily · May 2013

kbruington:
Idani:

Yes second/third hand smoke is harmful however, it is still by law the right of that parent to smoke.  Honestly a call to CPS likely isn't going to do much as there isn't a direct threat to that child.  There are A LOT of children that are in much worse scenarios that take priority. If you are that upset with the situation I suggest you look for a different provider.  This might not be the most popular opinion here but just because you make the smart decision to not have your children around smoke, legally you can't control what others do.  Sad but true. 

This. I can't stand when I see someone smoking in the car with their child or finding out someone smokes in the house where kids are living but it is NO ones business to tell them they can't do this. It is awful, but calling CPS on that parent is totally overboard IMO. I suggest you ask your pedi if you are concerned about the effects on your child and that might help you make your decision.

Agreed. Also, there is no reason to report the daycare. They are not doing anything wrong.

You have the right to move daycares but you cannot tell someone not to smoke. It's not against the law.

jloglow_25 · May 2013

Seriously? Some of you actually think that a baby in daycare that smells like smoke is a valid reason to call CPS? What a farce.

divajackie67 · May 2013

jloglow_25:
Seriously? Some of you actually think that a baby in daycare that smells like smoke is a valid reason to call CPS? What a farce.

+1

I understand hating the smell of smoke, but to attempt to take a child away from what could be very loving parents is absurd. Leave CPS out of it and let them take care of the kids that really need them.

LittleApple · May 2013

jloglow_25:
Seriously? Some of you actually think that a baby in daycare that smells like smoke is a valid reason to call CPS? What a farce.

Yeah seriously. Some of you need to chill out. You cannot call CPS on a mom because she smokes. Yes. It is harmful and awful, but you just can't. It is not illegal.

izziebee · May 2013

divajackie67:
jloglow_25:
Seriously? Some of you actually think that a baby in daycare that smells like smoke is a valid reason to call CPS? What a farce.
+1
I understand hating the smell of smoke, but to attempt to take a child away from what could be very loving parents is absurd. Leave CPS out of it and let them take care of the kids that really need them.

all of this and then some... seriously, if you are that concerned about YOUR child, then take them out of the daycare. Otherwise, leave CPS out of it and find a hobby b/c you must have way too much time on your hands to be concerning yourself over this. My brother in law smokes a tremendous amount and is regularly around his grandchildren thus causing them to smell like smoke at times, this does NOT warrant a call to CPS on my nephew and his wife! Think about what you might be doing to a possibly otherwise loving family!

wedsept · May 2013

Smoking is not a crime. You can't call CPS. They won't do anything. However, smoking is linked to SIDS. So, you could provide some articles about how smoking is linked to SIDS and how it is harmful, and see if the DCP is willing to talk to the parents. Personally, if the child still smelled like smoke, I would remove my kid from daycare.

mben1119 · May 2013

jloglow_25:
Seriously? Some of you actually think that a baby in daycare that smells like smoke is a valid reason to call CPS? nbsp;What a farce.nbsp;

This. I can't believe calling cps was even mentioned.

[Deleted User] · May 2013

Lol @ calling CPS. Overreact much?

melody921 · May 2013

Can the daycare just talk to the mom about the dangers of second- and third-hand smoke and tell her they'd appreciate if she didn't bring clothes, sheets, etc. that smelled like smoke bc other people are sensitive to it, and it's bad for the babies. It's not illegal to smoke around your kid, so I'm not sure they can do anything from that angle, but they could address it from the side of wanting to make everyone comfortable.

Want a personalized experience?

Stinky kid @ daycare

Re: Stinky kid @ daycare

Choose Another Board

Search Boards