What about the kids

Being a stay at home mom who chooses to enhance my life with daily cannabis use I want to share something that I'm grateful for that you wouldn't guess at. I'm grateful for the buzzkill.

We've frequently heard the concern "what about the kids?" and while it's often used as a cop-out in debates concerning cannabis use, there are times when it is a question brought on by valid concerns. I can't be mad at anyone for having the best interest of children at heart. If someone doesn't fully understand the nature of marijuana and what it's like to use it confusion is understandable. Most people think being high is like being drunk, just as debilitating. Here's the thing: being high, while the sensation can feel similar in some ways, is completely different than being drunk.

Being high is often euphoric and filled with amazing sensations, often times it makes me just SMILE. It feels good. It can shift my thought processes; I'm not thinking slower, I'm thinking deeper and a singular thought at a time. It's great when you're a hyper multi-tasker like me, when I feel like I have to do EVERYTHING right NOW. Take a hit, let it set in and start again, one task at a time. Interruptions aren't as big of a deal, I won't get grumpy with my son for asking me to read Skippyjon Jones when I'm in the middle of sorting laundry. More importantly, when interruptions are urgent they get my full attention, immediately. Let me better explain this.

I'm a full-time stay at home mom, my husband works outside the home full time, which means quite often I am the only adult at home with the kids. During this time I am using cannabis more often than not. This is where people start to get hyper, understandably. Two kids with only a mom who is high to take care of them. It's a concerning thought if you don't understand how cannabis works for a "seasoned stoner", someone with enough experience and tolerance to be high and still completely functional. (Note: I would NEVER recommend an inexperienced cannabis user be alone in charge of children while high, or that even a seasoned stoner get completely stoned while caring for others, that would be dangerous and stupid. Our children, our families are more important than weed and it's wonderful benefits. ) A few weeks ago I was pleasantly lifted and folding laundry in the living room while the kids were playing in the backyard (which has a privacy fence so they were in a safe space) when my daughter bursts through the back door yelling for me, telling me her brother hurt himself. There was no delay in action, I was up and on high alert, quickly made my way to the back yard and took care of my son's scraped knee and hurt feelings. When the ordeal was over and things settled back into the rhythm of the day I marveled at something I love about weed: when you NEED to be sober you become sober. Your body or mind (perhaps both) overrides the high, your head is cleared, the buzz is killed.

Now, this isn't something you should rely on in you're a lightweight or a newbie. Always, always, ALWAYS err on the side of caution. I made sure I was able to be functional high before I ever toked without another adult around. When I get a new strain I try it with Ever or my husband before I smoke it during the week so I know what to expect. I don't want any surprises with my weed when I'm parenting. 

My point here is that being (moderately) high while parenting isn't dangerous because when you need clarity it is easily found.  What about the kids? Well, the kids are just fine :)