Been following this thread a while but haven't gotten on the PC long enough to respond. Yes, my husband and I have a 5 year old. Here is how we cope with this difficulty in our family (considering our own circumstances):
The words "pot" and "marijuana" and other words that make actual sense to small kids
We basically have taught him from a toddler that these are the "medicine plants". He has seen 1-2 disabled patients of mine, come and go with a hug to pick up a bottle of their "dried plants". He has seen one of his Grandma and Grandpas (extended) use it when they had headaches and wanted to relax. I do use those safe words for a very good reason: I do not want my son accidentally using the word "pot" or "marijuana" at school, with friends, anywhere. So we never use that word at all around him. He knows these plants help our friends, daddy and mommy. He knows lots of our family uses it and knows that a "medicine cigarette"
Botany, Gardening, etc.. and growing plants alongside them that are kid-friendly
So we are teaching our son to grow sunflowers, baby peas and he loves watching any seeds pop out of the soil. He commonly asks me if I have watered my medicine plants today, if I need to pick my medicine plants and when their ugly flowers are going to be here
Well.. compared to the roses or sunflowers outside, they sure are ugly!
How we are trying to pre-emptively prevent unwanted inquiry
We always, always grow lavender, basil, rosemary and occasionally mint, chives, etc... for a few reasons. They are lovely, yes, but if anyone really asked, I would say,"oh he calls those medicine plants". Until he turns 7-8, Ill keep that cover knowing that little kids have no filters and have little wish to lie or be in any way deceitful in keeping secrets. He's a nice kid and a few times he will tell people, "Mommy is making medicine to put on your skin with the medicine plants and I'm helping!" so if this was questioned, I would explain my interest in botanicals and herbs...
We just keep it on the down-low if possible, and in terms of legality, I understood from CANORML legal advice to put a big sign on the growroom door that says "Noone under the age of 18 allowed". He is not allowed to go in there unless it is an emergency (or I am absolutely begging for a cold drink, j/k)
My husband doesn't garden at all. He doesn't trim either, but he keeps our son busy during harvest. I would suggest any parent have a co-parent or another caregiver in the house that regularly plays with the kids, so they don't feel neglected for hours on end, for a week or two. It's a family time when I harvest, and they play while I work in the kitchen and we chat. (this obviously wouldnt work in a larger operation or one where kids are not used to the sights and sounds of cannabis harvesting).
Last thing, he understands my vaporizer, how it works, not to touch it. He knows it holds "medicine" stuff in it (I have an Omicron and Vapir No2) and I keep it away from him. It is really out of respect for his innocent childhood more than safety. He knows what it is, that it is not for kids, that it can make "some people feel better" and to tell mommy or daddy if we leave it in the living room or something.
Anyway, hope some of this helps. If not in practicality for your family situation, for sympathy, empathy and I just recommend any parent that plans to grow regularly, smoke or vaporize regularly to explain it to kids while they are small enough to understand without judgement. I believe it is a healthy thing and since it has gotten me through anxiety attacks and asthma attacks, I keep my vaporizer close to me.
Good luck, Singing Crow
Hey All,
I was hoping to start a discussion on how others with kids vape. Do you strictly vape outside the home? Do you have a special place in the house (or garage) where you medicate? In our case we both vape at home (after our baby is in bed) in a downstairs room furnished for such activities
. We have a part time nanny in our home during the day so I usually go outside to the garage or take a drive at those times
(typically with my Thermovape Revolution or Arizer Solo, both portables) I know a lot of us on here have kids and I would love to have a great discussion with others in the community. It is also my hope that I might get to know some of you better in the process!
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your replies!
To answer this question:
-we vaporize in the house, but away from our son. I usually use it in my bedroom.
-I don't smoke joints or pipes much, but if we do, we do it outside since there is residual smoke
We have a babysitter. Almost 3-4 sentences into our interview came "I just want to tell you about my hobby, since it might matter whether you would like to babysit for us..." so make sure your babysitter or other family who may be watching the kids knows the places you store concentrate supplies, stashes, etc..
I mean, if you can trust them with your kids, you can trust them with where your medicine is. I do this to protect them incase of police questioning. (God forbid!!) This may help prove to law enforcement that the caregiver has no part in what is in the house, plants or dried material.
Oh, other tips I forgot to add (don't know the verification of their effectiveness). I have read these from searching all over the web to get a better knowledge of this myself. I mean, hell, the laws change like every week!
-Make prominent signage on growroom doors. Don't allow minors in there.
-post your recommendation, the recs of those you are growing for and signed copies of agreements of co-operation with these patients. The forms are in template form on Americans for Safe Access pages.
-keep all parphernalia (sp, sorry!) away from kids, high on a shelf. Together. Not scattered. Don't leave butane cans, pipe cleaners, etc.. around. Keep things in one centralized place and label it "for personal use" on the box or boxes.
-label EVERY jar of buds or concentrate "for personal use only" and give it the strain name and date. Looks much more official if EVER questioned and I think ASA said there were other reasons to do so...
-never ever keep firearms at the home, or anywhere remotely near a cannabis user. This is especially important if you are protecting the innocent lives of kids. Getting put away in jail will affect not just you, but your kids and it's not fair.
I'm looking forward to keep reading others coping strategies and other ways we try to protect ourselves and our family. Even living in a legal state, better to be hyper-sensitive these days, right?
My 7 1/2 year old is fully aware that I "medicate" and that I have a prescription for mummies medicine. I used to smoke joints and bowls outside but since I bought a volcano and it's not easily transported outside, I just leave it in my room and shut my door and vape with my window open. He knows not to come in my room when my door is shut and he knows not to mess with anything "medicine." I'm weird about hiding things from him and and to be 100% honest with him so if he has any questions I can answer. And since I've been more open about it, he has lost complete interest and way less curious.
I love that Jenny. This is exactly my method too. Thanks for sharing!
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