March the 8th was National Stop Smoking Day and a pretty important one for me. I’ve never smoked and at 31 I have no intention of smoking either! But I made a deal with my dad, that now we have Baby C he really has to try this year to give up smoking. It’s so hard for him and I know he really wants to. He has done in the past, for really long periods of time but he has always gone back to it. He has smoked for over 50 years so its not going to be a walk in the park. He has tried patches, gums, sweets… almost everything. But now with the Internet and some new things around that he hasn’t tried, I’m hoping he’ll manage it this time with Baby C as his motivator. These are the top 5 tips I’m giving him to stop smoking.
Fake It
With electronic vapour cigarettes a relatively new phenomenon, they are something my dad has yet to try. I’ve had a look on Jac vapour for some more inspiration and I think this will give my dad the best chance of giving up. They have a new user section and a starter kit, which is helpful for someone like my dad!
Money Money Money
The money my dad would have spent on smoking I’ve asked him to put in a jar for Baby C and once it’s full or at Christmas he can open it, see how much he has saved and get something really special for his grandson. I really like this idea and it’s a bit like a swear jar!
Music
My dad used smoking to kind of relax him, so because I know he loves music I bought him an old IPod and loaded it with some of his favourite tracks. (The Beegees, Elvis and even a bit of Steps… I kid you not!) I’m hoping when he gets the urge he can pop his headphones in and have a little sing along as a distraction.
Fruit Box
So I know that when my dad gives up smoking he can eat the world and it’s wife! So I’m going to try and make my dad a fruit box every week or fortnight depending on how quickly he gets through it. Mixtures of things from the normal bananas, apples and pears to some more adventurous stuff for my dad like coconut pieces and pomegranate seeds. It will hopeful take his mind of things a little and means he can reach for healthier things when the munchies set it.
Reminders
I know I have to not bully my dad into this, or moan at him all the time. I know I have to be patient if he relapses and to encourage him where I can. So I’m going to give him little reminders by sending funny pictures of Baby C saying things like ‘You can do it Granddad’ and ‘1 week down!’ I think he’ll appreciate it and it’s a nice way to encourage him so I don’t feel like I’m nagging. Plus, just incase he tries to trick us, vape sensors are a handy way of making sure there’s no sneaky vaping going on nearby.
Well those are my tips. I’ll keep you all updated on how he does but if you have any tips to share please let me know!
