How do I get my 6 yr old to stop picking her nose??? I have tried smacking her hand lightly (just to get her attention) when she does it. I have boxes of tissue in the living room, dining room, and her bedroom. I'm not sure if taking privileges away will work b/c she is CONSTANTLY picking, so she would lose a ridiculous amount of privileges in one day.
I really don't know how to stop this, so I'm open to any suggestions! My worry is that this habit is causing her to get sick more than normal. Please help!
PS She has allergies, so her nose is constantly running, and I've tried having her keep a tissue in her pocket as well. She already eats the mucus, which I realize I left out before, which is why I think it could be causing her to get sick so often (she has been sick 3 times in the last 3 weeks). Not just the mucus itself, but constantly putting her germy hands in her mouth. She picks so often that she has had bloody noses from doing so. I've tried telling her how gross it is and pointing out that other kids her age don't do this. As for the comment that even adults pick their nose...well, that's just what I want to avoid! It's disgusting to see a grown person with their finger up their nose! A lot of adults are disrespectful and rude, does that mean it's ok to not correct our kids when they are that way? Of course not, it's my job as a parent to teach good habits and behaviors, not say "everyone does it, so it's ok".
Is her nose really dry? If so, have you tried running a cool mist humidifier in her room at night to keep her nose moist?
Otherwise, I don't know what you can do except to keep pointing it out to her. My son has had a few "nose pickers" in his class and by 6-7 the other kids ARE noticing it and think it's gross. Maybe she will get embarrassed enough O. day to stop for good.
Well I had haven't had this dilemma but one thing came to mind that I would do if it were my child…take a day or half day and try to break this habit in a fun creative way. Kind of like potty training. Maybe this weekend you can tell her you and her are going to spend some time coloring, making tents, baking or whatever and at the same time continually remind her to wipe her nose with kleenex. Basically be right on top of her about it, do it yourself, sing a song while doing it or do a knock knock joke. Anytime she wipes her nose with the kleenex applaud her and make a big deal like dancing or singing.
You can even try giving her M&M's anytime she uses the kleenex. Giving her rewards may help.
Again, trying an approach kind of like potty training might work??? Sorry if this sounds like a lame idea but you did say you are open to any suggestions LOL!! =-)
Good luck!!!
I just listened to an interview with a researcher of the common cold. Apparently, the average adult touches her face a great deal, including nose-picking, on average, five times per hour. All of us! Since then, I've been amazed to notice that I do it, too. Maybe not that often, but several times a day. Just gotta deal with an irritating boogie now and then, you know?
A person's own boogies won't make them sick (those germs are already in there), but they can introduce germs into the nose that were picked up from other people and surfaces. FREQUENT handwashing is the best defense, according to the research.
Your daughter has a habit, and is not alone in this. You don't, unfortunately, break habits by taking away toys or privileges. If there's an element of nervousness or boredom in that habit, punishing can actually make it worse.
My grandson was doing a great deal of picking for maybe a year, and all of us adults were getting on his case constantly. We just decided to quit. Ignored it completely. He stopped doing it except occasionally, usually when he's watching a video or going to sleep.
UPDATE: I just read your PS, and want to add that I have a great deal of sinus-related allergy. I've learned to carry a tissue, but two winters ago I went through a very bad stretch during which my nose was just plain irritated. I COULD NOT keep my fingers away – I was ALWAYS trying to fix/soothe the discomfort, and I worked my poor nostrils into bloody sores. What finally worked for me was a neti pot, or even just sniffing warm salt water directly from my hand, several times daily. After each salt sniff, I would rub a very sparing film of salve into my nostrils. It took weeks to heal completely. This might be hard to accomplish with your daughter.
it's disgusting, but everyone picks their nose even adults. i see them all the time driving with one had and picking with the other, with my daycare kids i just say get you finger out of your nose when ever i see it, and make sure they wash their hands. J.
LOL Julie.
She won't get sick from picking her nose. Try telling her everyone can see her picking her nose and it's disgusting. If this doesn't work, she'll outgrow it sometime. I outgrew it in 4th grade, when I suddenly realized that I probably wasn't as subtle about it as I thought I was. And I was hardly ever sick.
I told each of my kids: if you're going to pick your nose, make sure you eat it, because I don't want boogers wiped all over my house. Keep your innards inside you. None of them ever picked their nose.
I would tell her that it is gross to do in public (this means in front of family too). Tell her that if she needs to, go to the bathroom, wash your hands and then use a tissue. Wash hands afterward too. I wouldn't yell or make it a big deal, just let her know it is a private thing. Having to go into the bathroom each time might just be too much work, and she may do it less often.
put tobassco sauce on her fingers, it's normal mom, my 7 year old daughter still does that (not bad) and my 14 yr old step daughter does when she thinks no one is watching.....caught and embarrassed her a few times.
not a big deal to me, so i don't really have any other suggestions
i'm sure she is uncomfortable and the allergies are causing it. Build her immune system with some good supplementation. Let me know if I can recommend some.
Okay, so about a month ago I asked this same question regarding my 3yr old son and was amazed at how many parents chastised me for thinking it was bad. I know every kid picks their nose but when your own kid has their finger up their nose continuously it is a bad habit regardless. One person did suggest sending him to the bathroom so he could do it in private and wash his hands afterward. I do think it becomes a habit though and they just don't realize anymore when they are doing it. Good luck!
have you showed her what gross stuff comes out of her nose.. let her see it... say to her look at what's on your finger... ick.. thats all dirt tell her kind of like poopy... maybe this will help.
