Mother's little helper — pot

[Vicki Larson]

I feel like I'm behind the times. Evidently, minivan-driving suburban soccer moms are smoking pot to chill. Well, nobody told me; I'm still having my Lemon Drops, Cosmos and zin!

I don't want to begrudge any mom her doobie — I'm sure she earned it. But, I'm a little worried about the "crutch" factor.

What do you think?

[Cindy Callinsky]

Wow. People seem to have pretty intense feelings about this. My points are:

*Many things are legal that are far worse addictive than marijuana (which I still don not believe is addictive). I smoke like a freight train. I love to drink beer, not wine. I would be far worse off without these things than I would marijuana, which I can take or leave.
*It can’t be that bad if they are making synthetic forms of it to prescribe to patience’s. After all, we have Lexapro and Sam-e.

I am sure I would be healthier if I skipped the Quarter Pounder and took a couple of hits instead.
I am sure I would be healthier if I skipped the Virginia Slims and took a couple of hits instead.
I am sure I would be healthier if I skipped the Hefeweizen and Pilsner at the Flying Saucer and took a couple of hits instead.
These things are not illegal, marijuana is.

I think as a society we are very hypocritical of things that we are unfamiliar with. Or maybe it is because some have had a bad experience with it. I don’t know. I do believe it lies in the person and if someone is “addicted” to marijuana that addiction stems from deeper things which are used as an excuse for marijuana use. Same as people use beer, wine, or anything else that is legal.

Also, it is easier for children to get illegal drugs than it is to get something that is legal. They cannot walk into a store and buy alcohol. They can go down the street and buy marijuana, methamphetamines, etc. easier than they can get alcohol. The dealers don’t mess with alcohol.

I’m sorry, I just don’t see marijuana remotely the same as I see “heavier drugs.” I believe that alcohol and cigs are far words for us.

Just call me idiotic.

[joan hees]

Well, Cindy, if you're an Idiot, then I'm an Imbecile, cuz I agree 100% with you on this. It's naive (at best) and incredibly irresponsible (at worst) for any parent to think that their kids won't be exposed to legal and illegal substances and experiences (underage sex, anyone?) for which they must be prepared to independently make safe choices.

When we stop talking to our kids about what Real Life is REALLY like, then we've failed them and our community. Uneducated, immature adolescents get out-of-control, abuse alcohol and other drugs, drive recklessly and... well, you can figure out the gruesome possibilities of that equation, if you haven't already been touched by such consequences.

Our job as parents is NOT to raise the cleanest, cutest little Mini Me's on the block w/ good grades and bitchin' clothes, or whatever equates with "success" in this narcissistic society of ours. (BTW, kids know exactly what their parents are hypocritical about, or topics their parents refuse to broach, and are awfully canny about hiding related behavior from the folks.)

If you think America has a chance of returning to its founding ideals and a healthy economy, the next generations had better be capable of unclouded, good judgment (not to mention, be alive and unharmed). And they aren't "hatched" that way, folks... That's where WE need to take the laboring oar and make our children aware of how a responsible citizen behaves.

To expect anyone else to do The Most Important Job of Parenting for us is, indeed, a pipe dream. (Yes, that pun was intended.)

Cindy Callinsky said:

Wow. People seem to have pretty intense feelings about this. My points are:
*Many things are legal that are far worse addictive than marijuana (which I still don not believe is addictive). I smoke like a freight train. I love to drink beer, not wine. I would be far worse off without these things than I would marijuana, which I can take or leave. *It can’t be that bad if they are making synthetic forms of it to prescribe to patience’s. After all, we have Lexapro and Sam-e.

I am sure I would be healthier if I skipped the Quarter Pounder and took a couple of hits instead.
I am sure I would be healthier if I skipped the Virginia Slims and took a couple of hits instead.
I am sure I would be healthier if I skipped the Hefeweizen and Pilsner at the Flying Saucer and took a couple of hits instead.
These things are not illegal, marijuana is.

I think as a society we are very hypocritical of things that we are unfamiliar with. Or maybe it is because some have had a bad experience with it. I don’t know. I do believe it lies in the person and if someone is “addicted” to marijuana that addiction stems from deeper things which are used as an excuse for marijuana use. Same as people use beer, wine, or anything else that is legal.

Also, it is easier for children to get illegal drugs than it is to get something that is legal. They cannot walk into a store and buy alcohol. They can go down the street and buy marijuana, methamphetamines, etc. easier than they can get alcohol. The dealers don’t mess with alcohol.

I’m sorry, I just don’t see marijuana remotely the same as I see “heavier drugs.” I believe that alcohol and cigs are far words for us.

Just call me idiotic.

[IMEZ]

Ive been basically smoking since i was a teen and never grew out of it and probably never will unless it becomes harmful to my health, and when my daughter is not around i smoke, i usually dont smoke around her and i would never want her to smoke ever, but it has become a part of me and its sort of my vice. I have grown up with pot so its a part of me and helps me analyze stuff. Pot can be spiritual for the most part. its not like alcohol or other drugs its herbal.

[joan hees]

IMEZ, you don't say in your post how old you are or how your daughter is. It sounds as if you're younger than I (I'm about to turn 54) & your daughter's younger than my kids, a son (19) & a daughter (16). If that's true (or even, if it's not), I'd like to know that you've read my two previous posts on the All-Important Need To Educate & Safeguard Our Children (that's just a synopsis of, not a title to, my Two-Cents-Worth contributions to this very necessary dialogue.

Hey, allow me to interrupt myself here & give a HUGE Shout-Out to Megan Calhoun, the Creator of TwitterMoms, ...this Most Awesome Social Network we're on right now!!! We're SOOOO fortunate to live in a true democracy, where we can openly speak, sparring a bit with our differing opinions. Whether we're M/F--Old/Young--Black/White (& any Color in G-d's Glorious Rainbow)--gainfully-employed or "on-the-dole,"..., We all have something to learn from others, don't we? When we stop caring what others think, or believe our way is The Only Way, we sow the seeds of Intolerance & Despotism (yeah, I'm talking Nazism & Jihads here). Thank you, Megan, for keeping the very best American ideals ALIVE & WELL... Altogether now, ... "For, Megan's A Jolly-Good Momma ... Which Nobody Can Deny!...!"

Okay, IMEZ, I'm gonna shorthand my response to you: Anticipate how you'll deal with your daughter's experimentation with sex AND drugs. Trust me, The Day Will Come... & there's no better defense (of your values) than a good offense, if you catch my drift... Like any good Scout, as parents we MUST "Be Prepared."



IMEZ said:

Ive been basically smoking since i was a teen and never grew out of it and probably never will unless it becomes harmful to my health, and when my daughter is not around i smoke, i usually dont smoke around her and i would never want her to smoke ever, but it has become a part of me and its sort of my vice. I have grown up with pot so its a part of me and helps me analyze stuff. Pot can be spiritual for the most part. its not like alcohol or other drugs its herbal.

[Orroka Macha]

I am smoking weed on a daily base and i see no reason for anything to be going wrong because of that,
I smoke at the evening when the charming offspring is fast a sleep

[Orroka Macha]

Five-year follow-up of rural Jamaican children whose mothers used marijuana during pregnancy.
Hayes JS, Lampart R, Dreher MC, Morgan L.

Miami Children's Hospital, Florida.

This research provides data on the development of 59 Jamaican children, from birth to age 5 years, whose mothers used marijuana during pregnancy. Approximately one-half of the sample used marijuana during pregnancy and were matched with non-users according to age, parity, and socioeconomic status. Testing of the children was done at 1, 3, and 30 days of age with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scales and at ages 4 and 5 years with the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. Data about the child's home environment and temperament were collected from direct observations as well as from standardized questionnaires. The results show no significant differences in developmental testing outcomes between children of marijuana-using and non-using mothers except at 30 days of age when the babies of users had more favourable scores on two clusters of the Brazelton Scales: autonomic stability and reflexes. The developmental scores at ages 4 and 5 years were significantly correlated to certain aspects of the home environment and to regularity of basic school (preschool) attendance.

Orroka Macha said:

I am smoking weed on a daily base and i see no reason for anything to be going wrong because of that,
I smoke at the evening when the charming offspring is fast a sleep

[Vanessa Andrade]

Hi there:
I see you are too busy, just do not forget to do one thing at the time and enjoy each, just making friends and sharing I would like to also invite you to my inline store and blog at www.youravon.com/vanessaandrade you might want to review the amazing deals gong on in products now, let me know if I could serve you or your beloved ones by becoming your avon representative, the best, sister Vanessa