Hankies
Because I am a mother…
Shortly after my daughter turned 3 she began picking her nose. I realize this is totally normal, but was unprepared for it as my son at that age would NOT pick his nose even if we had offered him a dollar. I turned away from the disturbing site and told myself it was probably a phase and she would stop eventually. Close curtain/ open curtain. Here we are a year later and she is still doing it, only it’s worse, guess where she puts her finger after the picking? uh, huh.
I’ve tried telling her that it is yucky, and swatting her little hand away when I catch her. I’ve carried kleenex with me, stuffed it in her pockets, show her how mom and dad use kleenex not our fingers etc. Remember that cellulitius she had last month (that we thought was MRSA)? Guess how she got that? Picking her nose and then using her germy fingers to scratch her legs.
Monday I reached my limit. I realized I cannot make her stop- if that is where she wants to stick her fingers, so be it. In a fit of creative genius (the jury is still out) I decided to use some scraps and make her some pretty handkerchiefs. I then showed her how to use the pretty hankie to cover her finger when she felt the need to dig deep. So far so good, her fingers are cleaner, she feels better, and no more nasty fingers in her mouth; let’s hope it lasts.
Are there any other experienced mothers out there with other suggestions?
January 28th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Just be glad its nose picking. I worked in a child care centre when I was 17 and there was one little girl who liked to…pleasure herself. She’d rub herself against anything, face flushed. Mortifying.
The hankies are cute, I hope they do the trick. You could try putting yukky tasting stuff on her fingers, like nailbiters use on their nails.
January 29th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Dont ask me, Cailin still picks her nose. Good luck with that, and let me know when you find that magic pill.
January 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Hi Heather!
Not a ‘Mom’, but you are lucky the hankie thing is working (so far). My nephew, has had that habit ever since he was a wee one (he is now 15), it is the first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning.
BTW, they are so cute!
February 7th, 2009 at 9:44 am
My son, just turned 4, also does it. He doesn’t put his finger in his mouth, but will voluntarily wipe it against whatever fabric is closest. Nice.