Kiddipedia
Becoming a parent has a way of changing perspectives. For Gerica, Victorian-based mum to toddler Chaise, motherhood prompted her to reflect on the kind of example she wanted to set for her son, eventually inspiring her to quit smoking and join the Nicorette Quitaroos Initiative.
Like many first-time parents, Gerica entered motherhood believing she could prepare herself for every scenario ahead. It wasn’t until Chaise arrived that she realised parenting would be as much about her own growth as it would be about raising a child.
“I imagined I’d have it all figured out overnight but I quickly learned that there wasn’t an amount of books I could’ve read or podcasts I could’ve listened to that would prepare me for becoming a mum,” Gerica says.
Today, one of the most rewarding parts of parenting for Gerica is watching her son discover the world around him and slowly develop his own unique personality. Through those everyday moments, she’s learned valuable lessons about patience, perspective and finding joy in life’s simplest experiences.
At the same time, motherhood encouraged her to take a closer look at her own habits; including her long-standing relationship with smoking.
When Smoking Became Part of the Routine
For years, cigarettes were woven into her daily routines. What started as an occasional habit eventually became linked to almost every emotion and milestone, whether she was celebrating a productive day or trying to manage stress.
One of her biggest smoking triggers came after her son had gone to bed. Once the house was quiet and the day’s responsibilities were done, a cigarette became her reward and moment of downtime.
Over time, however, Gerica began to realise how much space smoking occupied in her life.
“Everything became a reason to smoke. A stressful day deserved one. A productive day deserved one. Even finishing an episode from a 90s sitcom somehow deserved one,” she says.
Leading by Example
Gerica has become increasingly aware of how children learn through observation rather than instruction. She wanted her son to see healthy habits modelled at home and hoped to lead by example when it came to making positive choices.
Rather than focusing solely on the health risks associated with smoking, she began thinking about the broader lessons she wanted her son to take from her actions. Kindness, honesty and personal growth became values she was determined to demonstrate through everyday life.
Finding Support Through the Nicorette Quitaroos Initiative
This led Gerica to take on the Nicorette Quitaroos Initiative, an 8-week team-based initiative led by former Wallaby, Nick Cummins, encouraging Australians to quit smoking together.
The initiative comes as new research from Nicorette reveals more than half (55%) of Australians say they are more motivated to quit smoking with support from friends or their social circle, while 54% say quitting feels more achievable when it is viewed as a shared journey rather than something they have to do alone.
For Gerica, joining the initiative offered an opportunity to take on her quit journey alongside a community of people working towards the same goal, while also reinforcing the healthy habits and values she hopes to model for her son.
Life After Quitting
Since quitting, Gerica says she’s gained far more than she expected.
While many people talk about the physical benefits of giving up cigarettes, she found the emotional and mental changes equally significant. Quitting helped her recognise how often she had relied on nicotine during stressful moments, when what she may have really needed was rest, support or self-care.
“I spent a good decade reaching for a smoke whenever life got overwhelming. Turns out life is still overwhelming, I just don’t smoke about it anymore,” she says.
Being smoke-free means my son gets more of me even on the days when I feel like I have less of myself to give. Because the best part of quitting smoking isn’t what I’m giving up, it’s what I’m getting back.
One of the biggest differences has been feeling more present in everyday life with her son. Rather than thinking about when she could step away for a cigarette, she’s able to fully immerse herself in simple family moments, whether that’s spending time outdoors, playing together or simply enjoying each other’s company.
“I think the biggest change is that I’ve got my freedom back. I didn’t realise how much mental space smoking took up until it wasn’t there anymore.”
The Lessons of Motherhood
Motherhood has also transformed the way Gerica views herself and her own wellbeing. Where she was once focused on external expectations, she is now more concerned with her health, happiness and the example she sets for her child.
She believes becoming a parent forces many people to examine their own behaviours, values and experiences in a new light. In many ways, children encourage parents to continue growing alongside them.
According to Gerica, some of the most important lessons she’s learned from Chaise are around perspective. Watching a toddler become fascinated by everyday objects and ordinary moments has reminded her that happiness doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or impressive. Instead, it’s often found in the simple things.
A Message for Other Parents
For other parents considering their own quit journey, Gerica hopes her story serves as a reminder that looking after yourself isn’t selfish – it’s one of the most important things you can do for your family.
She believes children don’t need perfect parents; they need parents who are willing to learn, grow and make positive changes when necessary.
“I just hope my son grows up knowing that his mum was someone who was always learning,” she says. “Someone who sometimes made mistakes but was also someone who always faced them.”
Through quitting smoking and joining the Nicorette Quitaroos Initiative, Gerica hopes she’s showing her son exactly that: that personal growth is a lifelong journey, and that it’s never too late to make a change for the better.
