Stop Eating Your Fingers!

by Erinn

My son has a bad habit that I am hoping all the parents out there could help me with. He is only four so I never expected a bad habit to appear so soon, of course with a boy I expected as he got older there would be belching, maybe gas issues and a addiction to ESPN that would rival his father’s. None of that has appeared, yet.

A couple of weeks ago he started biting his nails. What is up with a four year old who can’t keep his hands out of his mouth, I mean he still has dimples for knuckles for crying our loud!
At least it is not as bad as a two year old who can’t keep his hands out of his diaper.
Now I am at a loss of how to break him of this gross habit. I threatened him with awful tasting nail polish that my mother threatened my sister with many years ago, but do they really even make that? Or is it the equivalent of the toothfairy for nail biters? Am I going to have to put him in a 12 step program for pint size biters?

So wise parents, what can I do to help him save his poor fingers and my sanity?

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Posted in Advice, Parenting, School Age Children on September 14th, 2007

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3 Responses to “Stop Eating Your Fingers!”

  1. Sarah Says:
    September 14th, 2007 at 11:12 am

    Oh, honey. I had hoped I wouldn’t be the first to respond because I need that answer to. Ours is seven. Hate to break it to you, but it doesn’t end at five. When the teeth start getting loose.. those fingers are back in their mouth. ALL THE TIME.

  2. Sabrina Says:
    September 14th, 2007 at 4:21 pm

    Oh I guess you might not want to know that it can be worse! lol My 4 yr old chews off his toenails (infront of everyone btw) and I can’t get him to quit. I’m at a loss on how to curb him. And like Sarah, I have a 7 yr old dd who’s always craming her hands in her mouth playing with loose teeth. Sorry I’m no help either! :)

  3. Rebecca Says:
    September 15th, 2007 at 3:51 pm

    Ugh, I have a 10 year old and a 2 year old (and a husband) who ALL bite their nails. I have no helps for you…..but ugh! I hate that sound and spend half my day telling someone to STOP BITING YOUR NAILS!

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