Disgusting!!

IF you can find the answer to that you could be the most famous, richest, most widely admired mom on the planet.
my real answers gentle reminders

Hi Mo B :-)

There are two things going on here. The first is, your response to your son's behavior, which is a generalized response to people putting their buggers in their mouths!

The second thing going on here is your son, doing what he supposed to be doing.. exploring his world and his body in that world and "tasting life!".

People will not think he is gross, they will just know he is 2 years old. So more importantly is to help you as this bothers you. IF you knew, how many "older than 2 years old" individuals put their fingers up their noses and check it out.. you would probably flip! I'm telling you this because this is not just a toddler activity.

When we get triggered by things that happen, it is often because there are subconscious memories and associations with the trigger. The best thing I can offer is a gentle non invasive energy balancing technique which will help your brain to calm and balance itself in light of this stressor.

You can click on my name and find my business link and my website there.. check out the CORITCES and Dr. Veltheim tab.

Please just know this is "normal" behavior for your little one. If you want to teach him not to do it, I offer that you do it as best you can with a smile or neutral face, so he does not feel that part of HIM is disgusting because from his point of view.. it's all about him :-)

hugs,
A. R.N., Energy Medicine Practitioner

LOL my daughter started putting her finger on her nose to get a reaction from me, so far she hasn't put her little finger in her mouth right after, I know it's so gross! but you know what everyone knows kids do that, I think they will just look the other way, that's what I do. The more I tell my daughter NO! the more she does it, I don't know what do other than ignore it (I know it's hard!) :o)

I agree with you and disagree with some of the answers below. I didn't ever LET my son do it- which means I treated it just as I would some other disgusting behavior that he might try! That included smacking his hand! I only saw him do it twice, both after being with a little girl whose mom things it is 'cute' that her daughter picks her nose. (Every time my son played with her he ended up with a cold- and that grosses me out!) So when he would watch her, I would say "Remember Dallas, we don't do that, or you will get punished! You have germs in your nose, which are little bugs that can make you sick".
He is 2.5 yrs and I love that he runs for a tissue, or says tissue when he needs one.
Is it boredom? something to do with their hands? I have never thought it was cute on anyones child and like you I feel like I am going to puke when seeing it!

Every time my daughter would do that, I would have her stop what she is doing and go wash her hands and blow her nose. It took about a week or so and she stopped---doesn't want to stop playing to wash her hands! Maybe that sounds harsh, but I also think booger-eating is so gross, makes me want to gag just thinking about it, lol. Also I don't want my kid to be that kid in school that picks his nose and eats it--and I can totally remember that yucky kid from grammar school--ewww.

It isn't the boogers you should be concerned about but the germs and cold/flu viruses he is inserting into his nose. Everytime he does it just say, mommy will do it and help him with a tissue. Or tell him he has to wash his hands and do it in private. Take him to wash his hands and give him a tissue to fix his nose in the bathroom. Just tell him everytime he has to wash his hand before he picks his nose and he has to use a tissue. Worked for my son. Now he just tells me when he has a booger so that he doesn't have to go wash his hands. He is 3 and half.

LOL! My 3 year old does it too and although it is gross, you do have to get over it to an extent. I agree with those who said to redirect and offer a tissue every time. I think most kids grow out of it. Kathy has some good points, but I must say I think she over thought some of it! Try to roll with it and redirect, but don't stress.

lol. get over it, hes experimenting with himself, not sticking his finger in a electric socket

It's a normal faze but can become habitual if you dont redirect him when you see him doing it.

LOL sorry I can't help but laugh. With the stuff my kids have put me through booger eating just doesnt bug me anymore although I tell them to stop and its icky but if that sets off your gag reflux be prepared for other gross stuff your child will do!!! I would list a lot of things that have totally grossed me out but if booger eating makes you ill I'll refrain. :)

they are HIS germs, so its not going to hurt him! dont worry he will grow out of it

OK, polar opposite of Kathy L-that's the beauty of this site.

I'm with Beth, Firm " No!" and bat his hand. I know it seems terribly cruel today, but for real, at 2, he can control it, and it's best he doesn't do it, and if you don't give a negative consequence and brief clear warning, he'll do it for as long as he wants because it is natural.

My son stopped gagging himself at 2 after two consequences for it. Am I sorry I didn't just hand him a barf bag and let him keep doing it for a few more months/years? So much for going to friend's houses and restaurants...He really liked doing it and didn't care that I asked him not to......

You don't have to change your feelings about things your child shouldn't do, you can teach them not to do it. It works with throwing food, hitting, nose picking, scratching, gagging, reaching for hot stoves, whatever.

Keep it clear, brief and consistent for all no no's so he learns faster to respond to just a verbal warning. Actually, 2 is old enough for a pop on the butt as well for capital offenses, but for nose picking, his hand is more directly related to his nasal passage....

Dont' worry, my son is now 3 and shows no negative signs for having been disciplined not to gag himself and other early negative behaviors, conversely, he's a happy confident polite little guy I can take anywhere and same with his sisters. I was raised the same way, no damage done. And there is absolutely no embarrassment or anger involved. just a lesson that the choice to do something you've been warned about and understand will bring a negative consequence if you choose to continue, and the sooner they learn that in general, the better for the future. It requires no anger, and the younger they are, the faster they learn.

i am lol'ing over here too, sorry! suuuuch a kid thing! maybe more so a boy kid thing. mine couldn't care less that it's "dirty" or "gross" or "nasty". lol. SO everytime i see him do it, i say, "oh you must need a tissue - let's go!" march him to the bathroom, blow nose, wash hands. and yes. hundreds of times. over and over.

and i have been known to swat his hand away, if we're in public and can't stop and deal with it right there. he's learning, slowly. i don't see it near as often now. mine is four, by the way. you have a long road ahead! welcome to the reality of motherhood!

This is a little late but I wanted to share what my 2 y/o did to me when I was about 7 weeks pregnant and extrememly sick. She walked up to me and asked me "What is this" as I was removing said object from her finger. I asked her where she got it and she said "My nose"! I thought I was going to throw up right then and there. That was the only time she offered it up to me. The rest of the time it goes directly in her mouth. YUCK! LOL. I even try painting her fingernails and telling her it will last longer if she doesn't stick her finger in her nose and then in her mouth.