So, you had a baby – a life-altering moment, right? You’re now responsible for a whole other being and keeping them safe. Your head floods with questions. Are they eating enough? Did I do that right? Are they comfortable? Can they breathe? Are they even breathing? (*Gently pokes baby to make sure they’re alive.) The questions are never-ending and your mind is constantly moving. You worry so much because you love them with every inch of yourself and, after all, they’re an extension of you.
When you become a parent, it forever changes you. You’re no longer the person you once were and you now have new shoes to fill. Your life will never be the same. Now just because your life has changed doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your old life completely – you’re still you, just a new and evolved you. A little less freedom sure, but all the new love makes up for that. Being a new parent can also be stressful. You must set up boundaries and be okay with asking for help and taking those breaks when you get them. Before having kids, one of the ways I enjoyed myself was by indulging in a fat blunt after a hard day. So why did that have to change just because I was now a mom?
You can still enjoy the things you used to do before becoming a parent with just a little more planning. One of the worries I had as a new mom was that I didn’t want my kids to inhale or smell my smoke, especially when they were newborns. Smoke can cling to an array of things like your clothes, furniture, carpet, and car interior just to name a few. I didn’t want to come back from a smoke sesh smelling like flower, so I thought of a few ways that I could eliminate the odor and get back to kissing on my babies. First of all, I don’t consume inside my home; I utilize my garage for a smoke spot. However, my oldest who is almost 10 can easily open the toddler-proof door, so I set boundaries with her. While I’m out there, she knows she needs to knock first before entering. Second, when heading into the garage for my mommy break, I always throw on my “smoke hoodie.” The name speaks for itself – I put it on over my clothes so that way I don’t come back in smelling like flower, only my hoodie does. I can easily take it off as I’m walking in and hang it by the door. I also always make sure my hair is pulled back, so it has much less smoke exposure. Finally, when I’m finished, I go straight to wash my hands to make sure I don’t have any medicine sticking to them ensuring I don’t get it on my kids. Taking these steps makes me feel a lot more confident handling my kids after my me time.
While smoking is my preferred method of medicating, I do also occasionally enjoy an edible, which can be a bit trickier when it comes to predicting effects. Since everyone processes THC differently, a small amount for some will do just fine while others will take a much higher dose to feel the effects (it’s why you always start low!). For me, personally, I don’t need much. It’s why I don’t consume them often as one of my fears is I would take one and fall asleep and be in too deep of a sleep to wake from the sound of my baby crying. I instead tend to choose to take edibles when my husband is home and if I needed to go lay down, he is able to take care of the kids no problem. Having a plan is super effective in case you accidentally do get too high and need to regroup.
When having kids and regardless of their age or preferred consumption method, you want to make sure you keep your products up and out of reach from those little hands. Get a box, preferably with a lock. If you can, find a place high enough and out of sight. I try to get a plain ole’ nothing special to look at type of box. The less exciting and inviting it looks, the less likely your kiddos are going to want to explore it. And with edibles, every package is marked that it contains THC. Point those symbols out and set that boundary. “You see this symbol? That means adult consumption only, and although it looks like candy, its medicine.” That simple, boundary set. Being honest with your kids will also help establish trust and a great bond.
Speaking of honestly, my oldest is very aware of my cannabis use, but I don’t make a big deal out of my consumption and really don’t see it any different than someone popping open a beer in front of their kids or having a glass of wine with dinner. This is something as an adult I can do and she cannot. That being said, I do want my kids to feel like they can come talk to me and if they have questions and I will be open with them when answering. Education is the best way in my opinion to keep my kids safe from accidental consumption. Every family is different and may do things differently, but these are the things that have worked for mine and I wanted to share.
You can still be a good parent while having fun and enjoying the benefits of cannabis. Just like any other pharmaceutical drug or medication, practicing smart and sensible habits will help keep your kids safe. Keep your products in a safe space away from those tiny hands and talk to your kids about why this isn’t for them. When you consume responsibly, you reduce the risks of any accidents happening. Happy medicating to all my parents out there and I hoped this helped!
Feel State
is a Missouri-based dispensary brand with locations in both Kansas City and St. Louis
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