How Do I Deal with My Daughter's Nose-picking

When my kids pick their noses, I say, "Do you need a tissue?" They usually say no and stop. It might be too late for this intervention, but you could try it and if she says yes, you can start showing her how to blow her nose by herself -- a challenge that might be more consuming than picking her nose!

S.
Mom of a 6 yo and 4yo

Hi K.,
Since it's winter make sure she wears gloves even in the car. Tell her it's cold & she has to keep them on. She can't pick with gloves on. For inside the house, buy some cute little white gloves (like they wear with easter dresses). Tell her that Princesses wear gloves like these all the time. You can find them in Party City. If she complains that she can't pick with gloves, then tell her that whenever she has a booger that she can come to you & you will use a tissue to get it. After all Princesses are too delicate to pick, they have staff to do it for them (that's you mom). To help keep her nose booger free, make sure she has a humidifier in her room at night. For the other readers who wanted an answer that have boys, you will have to resort to bribery. Ie: "If you don't pick for a whole day, you get to go to the dollar store to pick a toy". Their choice, pick a nose or pick a toy.

LMAO.... all kids do it- unfortunately!!!! Especially this time of year when thier little noses are dryer! With my son I would ask him if he was digging for gold in there or treasures and give him this goofy look. Eventually he stopped out of embarassment I think.

With my daughter who just started this, she is 26 months, I started to make faces and ucky noises when she would do it. I then taught her how to use a tissue and now she will actually blow her nose or, I hate to admit this, pick it and put it in there (she used to wipe them on the dog though). It is a start and atleast most people are forgiving about seeing a baby digging away! lol

Also, with the weather changing and our houses being more dry thier noses get crusty and irritated and makes them want to stick thier lil fingers up and go digging. I have found just using the Little Noses saline spray definately helps. And having the tissue at hand helps since they think they are big girls and boys like Mommy and Daddy. My daughter actually likes the Puffs Plus Vicks!

Good luck with your little picker :) Know it will not last forever and that all kids do it, just some more discreetly! lol

Blessings to you and your family!

I told my daughter that boogers turn into worms in your tummy if you eat them (I know, I know, probably not the right thing to do) - but it grossed her out enough to stop for the most part, she believed me. It is a phase, maybe she would have stopped anyhow.

3 yr old, same issue. though he EATS what he finds. I come close to vomiting. that is so GROSE. I say "do you need a klenex?" and he stops... but still. we try to teach the importance that ANYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR BODY SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN YOUR MOUTH. funny, but true. ewe.

Hi K.,
My advice after helping 4 kids through it would be to give her the information she needs to do the right thing, even if you have to repeat it many times. Tell her that it's normal to have to clean your nose but you should take a kleenex to the bathroom (if possible) to take care of it and put what you find in the kleenex. Throw it out and wash your hands. Explain that others don't want to see someone cleaning their nose because it's private business, like wiping on the potty. You could also tell her there are germs on her fingers and when she puts it in her nose, germs can go in there. 2 1/2 is a little young to understand the concept of blowing your nose (most kids blow out their mouths at first). Kids have to have the information in order to do the right thing. Let her see you blow your nose into a kleenex and wash your hands. She'll want to do it too, just because you did. There are many of us out there that are so grossed out by kids putting that in their mouths, LOL, but many do it. Just stress that it is NOT the way to take care of herself and show her the right way. Take 2 minutes everyday to go through what to do when we have to clean our nose and before long, she'll be doing it all by herself, in private. Best of luck to you and the princess.

K.,

My 2 1/2 yr old daughter does the same thing. I am constantly telling her not to, but, then she'll go hide and do it. Its really gross and I, don't want her doing it in front of other people.
I hope you get good advice, please let us know what happened as I'm in the same boat.

I'd like the answer to this one too. Yesterday my daughter claimed she found a raisin in her nose. When I looked (she'd had raisins an hour before as a snack) I found that she'd picked a big one! *sigh*

If anyone out there is hoarding the ideal answer to this mystery - please share with us!

How about a pretty little purse for when she goes out in public? You can put in her own pretty kleenex pack, that pair of white gloves, a baggie of Cheerios, and a little toy to keep her hands busy.

Would you be OK painting her nails? She wouldn't want to put those fabulous nails up her nose!

I'm answering this just to see what others are saying. I have the same problem with my four year old and the little 2 1/2 year old I watch. Yuck!!!

K.,

Take heart in the fact that this too shall pass. I chuckled(sorry) as I read your question, because just last winter we went through this with our 3 year old, and we were just as frustrated and exasperated. I did as other responders suggested: told her to get a kleenex and wash her hands. I also told her that picking her nose was dirty and she'd be spreading germs and could get sick or get me or her dad sick. I tried ignoring it too, but that just made it worse. The only thing that worked for us is the passage of time. She's older and "wiser" now, and she just doesn't do it. I hope this helps.

Krystyn
mom of two beautiful girls, 4 and 8 months

Hi K., Keep her finger nails trimmed as short as possible. Also put a humidifier in her room at night. The moisture will keep the mucus from turning hard and scratchy. My youngest still can't blow his nose, but I offer him kleenex every time he looks like he might be tempted to pick. I have a kleenex box in every room of the house! Good luck!