Thread: How Pot Helps Parenting

Originally Posted by freddieflounder101

I also don't think he's suggesting being high all the time.

I didnt assume that he was, but parenting decisions can come up at any time, and it doesnt take much for a kid to realize that when daddy is taking his medicine he is more agreeable and distractable, so if I want to walk down the freeway to Sallies house, or have a sleepover at Johnnys, that is the time to ask.

Originally Posted by ftmom

I didnt assume that he was, but parenting decisions can come up at any time, and it doesnt take much for a kid to realize that when daddy is taking his medicine he is more agreeable and distractable, so if I want to walk down the freeway to Sallies house, or have a sleepover at Johnnys, that is the time to ask.

Pot doesn't do THAT to you. Maybe if you're 17 it does, but when you're an adult, you don't suddenly forget who you are or what's responsible. You just move a little more slowly, relish/experience each moment a little more, etc. There's "partying" smoking which is when you get so high you become an idiot, and then there's functional high. I used to get high to make chores more interesting, like washing the dishes, things like that. I never made irresponsible decisions I wouldn't have made otherwise, even back then when I didn't have kids.

I sound like I'm advocating being high while you look after your kids, which I'm not really, but I do see this guy's point and I think one of the great things about pot is that it teaches you to slow down, to savor the moment, to stop thinking ahead to the next step all the time or focus on your TASKS all the time and just enjoy playing with your kids. They will enjoy it so much more if you are too, and sometimes pot opens up a door for you that you can then recapture and open up for yourself afterwards. I have an aunt who's an artist and in her 60s now and still smokes regularly. She's not impaired, she leads a very productive, busy life, but she loves the way it opens up her mind to possibilities, relaxes her, and slows down the pace when she needs it. It's not like alcohol, it's not just about getting wasted.

I'm all for slowing down and relishing the moment but I just think this guy sounds selfish. It makes it easier and more fun for HIM. Again, time to grow up.

And I used to smoke and I know I would be fine with my kids. It's just not something I want to do and I disagree with that point.

And...he is having occasional pain and stated it doesn't help with that.

Sorry I would classify anyone that has to smoke pot to get through spending time with their kids as a loser. Just my opinion.

ITA with everything Laurie's said. One time when Tiven was younger, she was lying on her belly on the patio watching a bug, and DH said, "I think I did that once when I was stoned." Childhood is a time where your mind is super-wide open to anything & everything; for most adults, the only time their minds are as wide-open is when they're a bit high, not so high that they become paranoid or hyper-focused. That's because we just can't function in an adult world like that, but I see nothing wrong with experiencing that wonder once in a while. It's not the same kind of mind-opening that you get from yoga and it's not the same kind of pain relief you get from narcotics. Especially with a controlled dose that just kind of takes the edge off, and when you don't mix in alcohol like many people do when smoking pot at a party.

And, let's not forget, this is a humerous article, not a parenting-advice column. It's funny because it's tongue-in-cheek. Reread this part, if you missed it the first time:

And let?s not forget the health risks, which are rumored to possibly exist. I?ve heard that even a small amount of marijuana can impair short-term memory function. It might also affect short-term memory function.

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

Sorry I would classify anyone that has to smoke pot to get through spending time with their kids as a loser. Just my opinion.

Totally agree. No matter how bad of a day I have at work or how stressed I am, You know what makes me feel better??? Spending time with my kids! Big hugs and kissing chubby cheeks can melt anything away You shouldn't have to be 'medicated' to love spending time with them.

I've never been high, so I'll just take your guys' word for how it makes you feel and behave.

I do see what he is saying. Playing barbies sucks. So does playing horsies. But, I don't do it for me, I do it for my kids.

And I think we all could do better by taking a minute to watch ants crawl or the clouds blow by. Not all day. Not to the oblivion of all else. Not when we're high. Just when we are taking time to be with our kids and step into their little world.

Also just one more thought for those who said the kids don't know or won't notice.... How do you think they will feel later on in life when they are able to read and see this article by there dad saying that he needed pot to want to spend time with them?

Originally Posted by sandy1007

Also just one more thought for those who said the kids don't know or won't notice.... How do you think they will feel later on in life when they are able to read and see this article by there dad saying that he needed pot to want to spend time with them?

I don't think that's what he's saying, though. He's saying more that it reminded him to do it and that it was rewarding and wonderful when he did, not that he wouldn't like being with them without it.

Originally Posted by freddieflounder101

I don't think that's what he's saying, though. He's saying more that it reminded him to do it and that it was rewarding and wonderful when he did, not that he wouldn't like being with them without it.

Bahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaa! Being with my kids totally reminds me that I need to smoke more pot. What parent hasn't said that at least once, amiright?!? (Sorry, just found that hilarious!)