2.5 Year Old "Digging for Gold" ...how Do I Stop or Discourage It?

Teach her to use a tissue to do that.
Then wash her hands, as Momma L, said.

She probably has a lot of boogers in there now, since she was sick.
Once my son was digging his nose after having been sick, he said it clogged his breathing. I told him to use a tissue. He did. And out came a HUGE HUGE booger. Then he could breathe, better.

For me, if my kids do that at home, fine.
But they know not to do it in public.
Manners.
But they never get carried away with it.
My son only does that when he is uncomfortable.
But he will use a tissue.

Yeah, you can't ignore that, otherwise when they are older and you try to teach her to not pick her nose, the habit will already be there and she will be confused how it used to be okay, but isn't anymore. Also, my my 4 yr old picks his nose, we make him go get a tissue to use, then he has to go and wash his hands b/c of germs.

Here is some advice on nose picking by Dr Sears:

Motivators: Show sores in nose. Relate picking with nose bleeding. Direct child to use tissues instead of finger in presence of others.

Relaxers.: Deep breathe; teach child to stroke nose from bridge to tip, over and over slowly.

Substitutes: Rub nose with arm; rub hand with picking finger; pick on a pocket, teach to use a tissue.

Special helpers: Consult doctor to determine nasal irritants, humidify air; apply moisturizing ointment in nostrils. Remove allergens.

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/discipline-behavior/both...

Who cares? Most people do pick their nose. That's not the actual problem. The problem is that it's not polite. We tell our son that he can pick his nose in the bathroom and then wash his hands. We let him know that it's kind of gross to watch someone do it, so that's why he should do it in private.

I wouldn't worry about actually letting her pick her nose. Just like I wouldn't tell my kids they couldn't pick their undies to get rid of a wedgie. It's just something to do in private.

My kids love this song from my childhood:

Please don't stick your finger up your nose,
because your nose knows it's not the place it goes.
You can sniffle, you can sneeze,
but I'm asking you, please,
don't stick your finger up your nose!

They sing it and laugh, but it actually helps them remember not to pick it!

Perhaps her nose is dry and uncomfortable. Try using a little something over the counter to moisten her nose over night and have her blow it real good in the morning.

Come on...you know if there is something dry and poking the side of your delicate nostril, it has to come out!

We have the "Nose picker pinchers" in our house. Basically, every time you see her picking her nose you interrupt it by saying "NOSE PICKER PINCHERS!!" and playfully pinching her nose. Then offer a tissue. Some kids just aren't able to understand that it's impolite and a health issue so it's pointless to lecture.

If you don't try to get her to quit, she is going to end up making her nose bleed. Then you are going to have a mess and she is going to get scared really badly.

I would pull her finger away from her nose everytime and substitute a Kleenex. Can she blow? If not, teach her how. If she can, get her to blow. Reinforce over and over that she will end up hurting the inside of her nose if she keeps putting her finger in it.

Good luck.

I kiss my daughter's forehead and gently pull her finger down and remind her to do it in private.

Have you tried letting her blow her own nose?? When my son has a runny nose, I hand him the tissue and wipes his nose. He loves to do it on his own. :-)

Well my older sister's daughter had the same problem. This helped Amy. (Older sister's daughter's name is Amy)

We pretended to snezze, then My older sister, Destinee, was pretending to pick her nose. I stppped her and gave her a tissue. Then we told Amy to always use a tissue, and never to pick her nose. I hoped this helppe you and your child.

-E.

Just keep reminding her to use a tissue. Keep them everywhere.
I hope she outgrows it. My son (9) has a buddy who never has and the other kids are truly disgusted by the known "nose pickers" at school.
If I were you, I'd be like a broken record: "Get a tissue. Use a tissue." etc.
Good luck!