Tania Reuben

In case we need more evidence that ritual is important to our little ones!

Children From Disadvantaged Households Often Lack Bedtime Routines, Possibly Affecting Health.

This is from About.com – Written by Terry Martin

It’s a common misconception that cigar smoking is less dangerous than cigarette smoking. Not true. Cigars are not safer than cigarettes, but because they are used differently, the health hazards differ somewhat as well.How does cigar smoking differ from cigarette smoking?

• Approximately 75 percent of cigar smokers don’t inhale and don’t smoke cigars on a daily basis.

• Cigarette smokers do inhale, and most smoke 20, 30 or more cigarettes every day.

These differences in smoking habit explain why cigar smokers are generally exposed to less of the poisonsand carcinogens present in cigars than cigarette smokers are to similar toxins in cigarettes, and why there are fewer instances of cigar smoking-related disease and death than we see with cigarettes.Let’s take a look at a few facts about cigars and cigar smoking — some of them might surprise you.

Facts About Cigar Smoking

1. One cigar may contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.
A single cigarette typically has less than a gram of tobacco, while a single cigar may contain as much as 5 to 17 grams of tobacco.2. Cigars are addictive.
Cigar smoke breaks down in saliva, allowing the smoker to easily absorb nicotine through the lining of the mouth in quantities sufficient to causeaddiction, even if the smoke is not inhaled. And, the amount of nicotine in a single cigar is many times greater than what is found in a cigarette. A typical cigarette contains one to two milligrams of nicotine, while the nicotine content of a cigar is 100 to 200 milligrams, with some as high as 400 milligrams. 

3. Cigar smoke is more concentrated and toxic than cigarette smoke.
Secondhand smoke from cigars varies from that of cigarettes for a couple of reasons. First, the manufacturing process for cigars requires a fermentation period. During this time, high concentrations of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are produced. TSNAs are some of the most carcinogenic compounds known to man. Secondly, cigar wrappers are not as porous as cigarette wrappers, making the combustion of a cigar less complete. These two factors result in higher concentrations some of the toxic chemicals in cigars than in cigarettes. 

4. Smoking as little as one cigar a day increases the risk for cancer.
Cigar smoking has been linked to several different cancers, most notably those of the oral cavity, which include lip, tongue, mouth, throat and larynx. Cigar smokers who inhale are also at an increased risk for lung cancer, cancers of the pancreas and bladder, as well as heart and lungdisease. 

5. Cigar and pipe smokers are at risk for early tooth loss.
In a study published in the January 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, it was discovered that cigar and pipe smokers are at an increased risk for early tooth loss, compared to that of their nonsmoking counterparts. Cigar and pipe smokers are also at an increased risk for alveolar bone(the bone that holds the tooth in place) loss. 

6. Cigar smoking has been linked to erectile dysfunction in men.
Smokers are twice as likely to be impotent as nonsmokers due to the adverse effects smoking has on circulation, hormones and the nervous system. Cigar smoking and exposure to second hand smoke in particular have been shown to be significant risk factors for erectile dysfunction.

All forms of tobacco have risks associated with them, and cigars are no different. Steer clear of cigars, and avoid the secondhand smoke they produce. 

There is no such thing as a “safe” tobacco product.

http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/cigarspipesandsmokeless/a/CigarSmokeFacts.htm

When my daughter was 13 months old the question was posed on our mommy group – what are you doing to help instill manners in your children.   At the time I wasn’t doing that much, but I had started the teaching process.  

I wasn’t doing anything, I was simply introducing manners into our daily conversation.  In the way I’d talk to her… if she burbed – I’d say excuse me… when she gets something from me I’d say thank you mommy… when she does things that I like I’d say thank you and tell her how proud I am of her.  With her brother, I did the same thing.  

As they have gotten older I continue my efforts.  My expectations have adjusted with their ages.  If they scream out for something, I don’t meet the request until they ask politely, and that doesn’t mean simply adding a please to the scream.  They have to make the entire request politely.  Of course there are times when I catch myself giving them something when they haven’t asked politely, it’s about doing the best I can.

We also encourage manners by discussing the correct response to situations through our day.  This morning my daughter was wiping her face, she said that she couldn’t go to school with milk on her face.  I told her that was true, that led to a discussion about what we would say if a friend had milk on their face.  We talked through how it would feel if she yelled it out to the whole class vs if she pulled her aside and quietly told her in private.  My little on smiled coyly in response.

Manners aren’t something that I’m attempting to  teach in a single lesson.  It’s an ongoing commitment.  A University of Illinois study recently found that children taught manners are predicted to be more successful.   I’m sure we needed a study to determine that – it seems like common sense right?

My efforts are not perfect, but I have been getting feedback from teachers and friends that my children are well mannered and polite when I’m not around.  So were off and running.

I was recently at an event for parents and preschoolers at my daughter’s school.

Of course this event included food, which is always a challenge for me because I really avoid letting my children have sugar. I did allow both children to have one cookie each. After that I told them they could have fruit or vegetables.

Here is where I’m wondering if I’m out of line… I pushed the “treats” out of reach of my two children – maybe a foot back. I was really having trouble with two year old. After a little while I was told had to allow the sweets to be moved forward so the other children could reach them. Pushed back they would only be reached by older children and parents.

I was trying desperately to get my children away from the food table, but in response to this I said to this person… Are you sure that parents want the treats to be reached by the children. The reply – Yes I am. My response was – Really?

So am I out of touch. Do parents of preschoolers really want treats & sweets to be in arms reach in social settings?
Would parents prefer if it was more difficult for the treats to be reached, or if they could only be reached with their help? I just can’t imagine that most parents really want the treats to be easier to reach, but maybe I really do live on a different planet.

Every headline I read on nutrition and the state of what our children eat in this country supports my commitment to the health of these children – yet in the real world.

I feel I am fighting an uphill battle.