Bad Habit

Updated on August 02, 2010
L.B. asks from San Jose, CA
11 answers

Any good remedies for a 3 yr old that loves to pick his nose? He knows about the germs and that he's not supposed to do it so he'll just go hide and do it. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the input all. I do give him a kleenex to use every time but alas, he prefers his finger. Loved the story of the "booger monster"!! Thanks for the giggle! Guess I'll just keep doing what I've been doing and hope he outgrows it!

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C.W.

answers from Austin on

my fiance had an uncle who was missing a finger... when he was young his uncle told him the "booger monster" ate it... he has never picked his nose since! LOL.

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M.R.

answers from Rochester on

Um, you have to pick your nose sometimes. Children have to learn to blow their noses, but even I cannot always do what needs to be done with blowing, and I'm an adult. Teach him to ask for a tissue, pick if he needs to, throw it out, and wash his hands. Like passing gas or burping, booger removal is necessary, but teaching hygiene and etiquette will help him learn to do it privately and then wash up.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi L.,

Different angle:

If a person is well hydrated the "boogers" don't accumulate. He won't feel a need to pick at them to get them out. Try more water during the day and see if that helps.....as well as the discipline mentioned too... :)

My two cents!

M.

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R.K.

answers from San Francisco on

let him do it in private. don't you have to pick your nose sometimes?
germs...well, tell him to wash his hands when he's done.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I have a 3 year old, well almost 4... but he does that too.
I just tell him to wash his hands first... if we are out or were out someplace.
But at home, well, I assume his hands are 'clean' because I'm the one that cleans the house and him! LOL

Then I teach him to put his boogers in a Kleenex or IN the rubbish can.... not just fling it somewhere or on the floor and NOT to stick it onto the furniture. LOL

He is cleaning his nose.... and if big boogers are in there, its nice to get them out... adults too. We all have to do that sometimes, too.
But he'll get over this 'phase.'
Teach him he does not have to 'hide' to do it (unless there is company around or he is out in public).... but just make sure his hands are clean.... first.
If he 'hides' about picking his nose.. you don't want him to think he has to 'hide' for doing other things....

all the best,
Susan

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M.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Just tell him that it is o.k to pick if he uses a napkin or a tissue. Either one is acceptable. Tell him the only place he can pluck without is in the bathroom. This is at least a start-LOL!

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Most people pick their nose, when i see my daycare kids do that I just tell them get a tissue then wash their hands. I did the same when mine were little. My oldest is 26 and he has a really bad habit of picking his nose. J.

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

he'll grow out of it.

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C.D.

answers from Washington DC on

always make sure his nose is clean. he may feel like there is something up there...and if it is, it's annoying him. And I second the emotion of handing him a kleenex to promote good hygiene and manners.

G.K.

answers from San Francisco on

I am SOOOO glad I'm not the only one experiencing this!!! Thanks!

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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hand him a Kleenex when he needs to pick his nose. You keep telling him it's wrong and he'll keep doing it in secret.

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