Dad Quits Vaping After His 6-Year-Old Imitates Him in the Bathroom

SOUTH CAROLINA — A father’s viral post on Reddit has touched thousands after he revealed that his 6-year-old son unknowingly inspired him to quit vaping — by imitating his habit during a morning routine.

The dad, who posted under the username Rpark888, said he thought he had been discreet about vaping around his child. But one morning, he was shocked to find his young son standing in the bathroom, pretending to “vape” with his toothbrush and shower steam. “Look dad, I’m just like you!” the boy said proudly. That moment, the father wrote, stopped him cold.

“I thought I was slick, careful, discreet. I thought he didn’t know,” he wrote in his post. “F*** THAT. I’M DONE DONE.”

A Wake-Up Call That Went Viral

The father’s post, which appeared on the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, quickly gained attention across social media. The attached photo showed a trash can filled with used vape cartridges, packaging, and other discarded items — a symbolic image of his decision to quit.

In the caption below the image, he reflected: “God, I’m pretty upset with myself and not realizing how much I was not only destroying my own health, but also just how much my son knows about my bad habits. I want to be healthier for myself, for him, and for our family’s future.”

Thousands of commenters applauded his honesty and courage, with many sharing their own experiences of quitting after a child mimicked their behavior. One user wrote, “Kids see everything — they’re our mirrors. This might be the most powerful reason to quit I’ve ever read.”

Experts Say Kids Imitate What They See

Health professionals often warn that children are quick to imitate adult habits — both good and bad. Dr. James Merrill, a family health specialist, told Saluda Standard-Sentinel that young children naturally copy parental behavior long before they understand its consequences.

“When children see their parents doing something repeatedly, especially something that looks routine or adult-like, they assume it’s normal,” Merrill explained. “That’s why modeling healthy behavior is one of the strongest influences a parent can have.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2.5 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2024, a number that public health experts say reflects the normalization of vaping in everyday life.

I thought I was slick, careful, discreet. I thought he didn't know. This morning, my 6 yr old was pretending to "vape" in the bathroom with his toothbrush with the steam from his shower. "Look dad, I'm just like you!" FUCK THAT. I'M DONE DONE.
byu/Rpark888 inmildlyinfuriating

A Lesson in Accountability and Change

The father’s candid post has since become a source of inspiration across online communities. Many said his reaction was a powerful example of accountability — and a reminder of how children can motivate real change.

“I thought I was hiding it,” the dad wrote. “But he saw everything. And that broke me in the best way possible.”

Supportive comments encouraged him to stay strong in his decision to quit, with others sharing resources for nicotine withdrawal and community support groups. Some even credited his post with prompting their own reflection on how their habits might affect their children.

A Viral Reminder About the Power of Influence

The story has since spread beyond Reddit, resonating with parents everywhere who have struggled to break harmful routines. What started as a brief post about regret has turned into a broader conversation about family influence, addiction, and change.

In a follow-up message, the father confirmed that he hasn’t touched a vape since that morning — a decision he says he owes to his son.

Stories like this highlight how deeply children absorb their environment — and how one honest moment can spark a life-changing choice.

Have you ever been inspired by your child to change a bad habit? Share your thoughts and experiences with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.