I’ve now managed to go without my tobacco friend for two weeks. Getting through a family birthday bash and nine working days, where I find myself still popping outside for my regular ‘smoke’ time obviously without a cigarette.

I don’t know how everyone else manages to stop smoking but going ‘cold turkey’ for me has involved planning little jobs for when I would normally be puffing away.

The morning ritual is still the same; I wake up early, get dressed and go down to the kitchen to put the kettle on. Once tea is made, I step out into the garden as if I was still smoking (I would never smoke in the house) and the need for a nicotine intake soon subsides and I drop my little one off at school.

My office does not seem the place to test my will power, but what with contracts, banks and sales agents to deal with plus a couple of departmental meetings, the pressure soon mounts. However, a promise is a promise and this one to my children I intend to keep.

Soon after the first cup of coffee has been downed, another ‘urge’ for a ciggie is building. My task to fend off this urge is to answer a host of emails received overnight. Then outside with the smokers to keep up past routines which seems to be working for me as another urge passes. These urges are coming thick and fast, currently about every 20 minutes or so.

My actions so far have kept me smokeless for a couple of weeks. They may not be ideal for everyone, but so far so good. Please get in touch and let me know how you have coped and tell me what is keeping you off the ‘cancer stick’.

The next big test is a poker night with the boys. Late night, beer and ‘all in’. I’ll let you know how I got on next time. Until then, take it a day at a time, talk about it as much as you can to friends and colleagues, it may bore them but it will certainly help you through!

Picture yourself, if you will, in a new home, recently married and a gorgeous baby daughter born to you by a beautiful wife.

Fast forward ten years and you now have a very handsome four-year-old addition to the family, which completes your life.

However, one nagging thought at the back of your head is the fact that you promised your little ones that you would quit smoking some time ago. Add to that now that your ten year old has learnt at school, all about heart disease strokes and cancer and all the other horrible illnesses smoking can bring. She reminds you of your various promises and one day looks upset. You ask what the problem is and she looks up at you with those big brown, tear filled eyes and whispers, “I don’t want you to die”.

You shed some tears; I defy any decent parent not to, then you make a solemn promise: “This is my last packet of tobacco”. And so begins the diaries of Smokeless Charlie!

The diaries will be posted to give other quitters support and information regarding problems and issues encountered by Charlie on the long road to life without nicotine.

Share your urges for a ciggie and what you do to ignore the craving. For all those out there that want to break free, lets do it together and support each other as much as possible. Let’s start now by saying: I DON’T SMOKE.

If you are looking for a gift idea for a child who likes watching DVD’s then check out the newly re-released Raymond Briggs classics – The Snowman and Father Christmas.

Available from Amazon for £7 and £3.97 respectively these feelgood films give you a brilliant excuse to snuggle up with the kids and spend the afternoon in front of the TV.

Check out the review of these films here http://familylife-brenda.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-snowman-and-father-christmas.html.

Maison Boo are one of the Babygrower Discount Card partners and they are offering card holders 10% off their purchases, here are our top 3 picks for the week.

1. Organic Detox Foam Bath, price is £11.
2. Organic Massage Oil, price is £13.
3. Organic Pampering Gift Set, price is £40.

If you have one of the Babygrowers Discount Cards, you would save on the above products £6.40.

Here are this week’s top 3 picks from Little Lily Pad, which is one of the Babygrower Discount Card partners.

1. Baby Blossom Box Unisex, price is £43.
2. Big Brother T-Shirt, available in sizes 0-6 years price is £10.
3. Butterfly Canvas, price is £15.

If you were to buy all these lovely gifts with your Babygrowers Discount Card you would save £6.80.

Lactivist is one of the Babygrowers Discount Card partners, card holders can get 10% off when shopping with them.  Here are our top 3 picks for this week.

1. “Care Instructions” Organic Short Sleeved T, available in size 3-6 months priced at £11.99.
2. “Milk of Human Kindness” Organic Bag, priced at £5.
3. “I’ll wean when I’m ready” Organic Long Sleeve, available in size 3-6 month priced at £14.99.

If you were to buy all 3 products above you would save £3.20 with your Babygrowers Discount card.

Hello Baby is one of the Babygrowers Discount Card partners and they are offering you 10% off their products.  Here are our top 3 picks for this week.

1. Summer Infant 5 Stage Super Activity Baby Seat, price is £41.99.
2. BabaSling Baby Carrier, price is £44.99.
3. Britax B-Dual 4 Tandem Pushchair/Travel System, price is £439.99.

If you were to buy all of the above you would save £52.70 with a Babygrowers Discount Card.

Here are our top 3 picks from Babygrower Discount Card partner Dam Tam for this week.

1. Organic Cotton Pants, available in a choice of 3 colours and in sizes 1-7 years price is £4.99.
2. Long Sleeved Organic Cotton Baby Vest, available in a choice of 3 colours and in sizes 0-3 years price is £5.99.
3. Organic Cotton Spotty Tights, available in a choice of 2 colours and in sizes 0-6 years price is £8.50.

If you bought all of the above you would receive £1.95 off with your Babygrowers Discount Card.

DaisychainBaby are one of the Babygrower Discount Card partners and they are offering card holders a cool 15% off, here are our top 3 picks for this week.

1. Freddy All in One Shirt Check Print, available in sizes 3-24 months price is £16.
2. Blue Stars & Stripes Muslin Swaddle, available as a two pack price is £25.
3. Knitted Shoes in Blue by Daisy Dumpling, available in sizes 0-12 months price is £12.

If you had used your Babygrower Discount Card to buy all of the above you would have saved yourself £7.95.

Here are this weeks top 3 real nappy picks from Cotton Baby, a Babygrowers Discount Card partner.

1. Bambino Mio Essential Nappy Kit, all you need to get started using real nappies priced at £99.
2. Ellas House Bum Hugger, priced at £9.95.
3. Blueberry Minky One Size, priced at £19.99.

If you were to use your Babygrower Discount Card to buy all 3 above you would save yourself £12.89.