Weed and Parenting During the Lockdown: Yea or Nay?

Weed and Parenting during the Lockdown: Compatible or Not?

marijuana and parenting during a lockdown

The effects of the novel coronavirus disease have been quite significant on the human race and we are only beginning to find out its extent as it has managed to change almost every aspect of everyday life as we know it. However, humans are tenacious, we have been able to find ways to forge ahead while coping with these new adjustments to life.

For example, many people have found alternative means of working and carrying out their duties and this includes working remotely and having meetings via alternative means such as zoom. Also, many parents have had to find out that being with their kids full-time is not as fun as they thought it could be, and trying to home-school them and keep them interested in their studies is somewhat difficult. As a result, they have had to cope with the resulting stress and anxiety the way they know how to with some of them turning to weed.

Though the use of recreational and medical marijuana has become more acceptable with many, making use of it as a mother or father while having kids at home is something many are not accepting and has led to intense debate. This was sparked as a result of a mom of two coming out to say that smoking weed has helped her through isolation with her kids and compares it to having a glass of wine to de-stress after a long day. Caitlyn Fladager, a 26-year-old mother of two, who took to social media to talk about facing anxiety and stress during this pandemic and how weed has helped calm her has had to face some backlash over her statements. The majority of the comments have had to do with the inappropriateness of taking weed while having kids in the house and how it is not the same as taking a glass of wine to help you calm down after a long day. This has led to some other parents coming out to admit how weed has been of help and also made them better parents rather than having a negative effect on their parenting. They go further to discuss where, when, and how to go about it and even giving tips to help when discussing it with your kids.

Inside or Out?

A popular tip seems to be smoking outside or in another room, while your kids are awake or just plain wait till they are asleep before smoking. Some others go out to the garage, hidden rooms or back garden to have some private time and smoke. Many parents seem to endorse this because they feel their kids are not yet able to deal with the knowledge of having their parents smoke weed. They are also of the consensus that the use of marijuana should be quite limited and not enough of a dose to inhibit them or make them unaware of their actions.

Many of them agree that that not only is the experience the same as having a glass of wine and helps keep the anxiety and stress away during this period, it also makes them better parents. This claim stems from the fact that after unwinding from having a smoke, they are more patient and balanced enough to deal with their kids as they feel better focused, less anxious, and calmer after smoking marijuana once in a while.

Bonding?

For those who have little kids, they believe that these children should not yet be exposed to this and have even figured out stealth ways of smoking weed without their kids’ knowledge usually with the cooperation of the other parent. On the other hand, some use it as a bonding experience with their kids who are older by smoking with them. Though, they say they did not introduce them to the act but rather allowed them to discover it on their own.

Good Parent or Nah?

The major point that those who are against the idea of smoking weed as a parent have is that engaging in this makes you a bad parent. However, Caitlyn Fladager, earlier mentioned believes that you are either a good parent or not, smoking weed to help relieve or cope with your stress does not change that. Also, many of these parents feel that smoking weed helps them to become better parents as they are usually calmer, more patient, and able to better engage or indulge their kids in some bonding activities. Many of them also agree with Caitlyn's opinion that being a good parent is something you choose to be regardless of your need to engage in some activities to cope with certain situations.

At the end of the day, we should remember that people should not be judged for decisions they take either right or wrong as everyone has that right and that their choices do not define who they are.