This is absoloutly disgusting but hoping someone can help.

[Starlight1986]

I have a bright, smart, wonderful 2 and a half year old girl who is an absolute joy to be around.

She has started nursery a month or so ago and recently I think she's picked up a bad habit from there (only place I can think of)

So basically she picks her nose and eats it, I can not tell you how much this makes me gag!! I hate it, absolutely HATE IT!!!

Im starting to lose it a bit with her which honest to god isn't me at all. I never shout and would never ever smack but Im at my wits end. Its disgusting and embarrassing.

Today at work my mum phoned and says she's caught her doing it a few times, I could have burst into tears.

What do I do????

I cannot ignore it!! I've tried giving her a hankie every time, speaking to her about it etc. She is extremely smart so does understand what I'm saying.

She loves her teddys (has about 20) I was thinking about taking one away each time she does it?? Is that mean?? It is isn't it? Help!

 

[Laurajcole]

My best advice would be to try and actually ignore her when she does it. It's a new thing to her. Oh look what I can do. I do agree it's not nice. Perhaps if you see her do it you can wipe it from her finger with no fuss, no talking about it and don't let her see your even bothered by it. And she might stop doing it. Getting mad at her and shouting isn't helping. So try the opposite and perhaps the novelty will wear off. Toddlers crave on attention, and even if she's getting into trouble she's getting attention. Which I feel can make them do something even more.

My daughter started spitting after she had been at the nursery a few weeks, I was horrified. This absolute princess of a girl, so well mannered and bright, spitting... I was at my wits end and it was my mother in law that told me to stop feeding her attention to do it, she found it again. 2 days later after I let it go she stopped. Never done it since.

 

[Starlight1986]

My best advice would be to try and actually ignore her when she does it. It's a new thing to her. Oh look what I can do. I do agree it's not nice. Perhaps if you see her do it you can wipe it from her finger with no fuss, no talking about it and don't let her see your even bothered by it. And she might stop doing it. Getting mad at her and shouting isn't helping. So try the opposite and perhaps the novelty will wear off. Toddlers crave on attention, and even if she's getting into trouble she's getting attention. Which I feel can make them do something even more.

My daughter started spitting after she had been at the nursery a few weeks, I was horrified. This absolute princess of a girl, so well mannered and bright, spitting... I was at my wits end and it was my mother in law that told me to stop feeding her attention to do it, she found it again. 2 days later after I let it go she stopped. Never done it since.

Thank you

This is honestly the advice I would have given, we also went through a spitting phase and when I ignored it she stopped.

But this....can I really ignore this, does it not mean she will do this for the rest of her life ( Im actually gagging while writing this lol). Im worried its more like an actual habit that something for attention. Although I could be wrong and I really appreciate your reply x

 

[Baby2sky]

I honestly think you're over reacting about this tbh taking teddies away and losing it with her is an extreme reaction to such a small thing, yes.its not nice but just ignore it and she will soon stop.

 

[russellmuscle]

I have a very bright well mannered 2 year old boy who doesnt need cues when to thank or please someone but a few months ago I caught him doing it (he also attends nursery and does not see me do it!). I simply just encouraged him not to do it and took his hands away if I was close enough and explained its dirty to do that.

He has calmed down massively - sometimes if he is aware of a bit of mucus he will sometimes try get it - but I think that is just a natural reaction as I am sure if we had a booger hanging we would remove it. Children don't quite know hanky etiquette yet

I think taking away toys and punishment for a habit that she has merely observed other children doing and is following suit is a bit OTT. At that age they don't quite grasp "oh Id best stop picking this slimey thing out or I won't get toys" I think children can be over estimated as well as underestimated.

Your child will learn with consistent guidance and advice to stop - I wouldn't go down the punishment route though could end up back firing with you causing your self more up set and your wee girl just rebelling

Hope she calms down soon with it, it isn't a nice habit you want baby picking its nose.

xxxx

 

[Starlight1986]

I know, I honestly am not a "punisher". I never shout or get angry. Im strict but in a "lets talk it out" kinda way.

I think im just so disgusted by it and it freaks me out!!

Picking her nose isn't a horrific thing and it wouldn't bother me at all, I would just give her a hankie to wipe....but eating it is the issue for me. Boak!!

 

[Starlight1986]

I honestly think you're over reacting about this tbh taking teddies away and losing it with her is an extreme reaction to such a small thing, yes.its not nice but just ignore it and she will soon stop.

I probably didn't word that right......My losing it compared to someone elses losing it is probably very different. I kind of meant in my mind and I probably sound very frustrated with her when she does it but I don't shout or threaten etc x

 

[Laurajcole]

I think it's just because it's something that you personally hate, and it annoys you so so much. But I really think you should just let her be for now... I don't agree with letting her eat it, and if it was me when I probably seen the offending snot on the finger I would try and wipe before she ate it. But I think the best thing would be to try and stay calm about it all. Bi really think it's a childhood thing, as horrid as it is.

 

[russellmuscle]

I know, I honestly am not a "punisher". I never shout or get angry. Im strict but in a "lets talk it out" kinda way.

I think im just so disgusted by it and it freaks me out!!

Picking her nose isn't a horrific thing and it wouldn't bother me at all, I would just give her a hankie to wipe....but eating it is the issue for me. Boak!!

Sorry, failed to be specific - Jackson was picking and eating and now doesnt.

No one has said that you are a "punnisher", I am simply advising its not the kind of behaviour that kids should be given a row for but perhaps a light "no" or "its not nice".

I would say it was a disgusting habit but I wouldn't say I was "disgusted" by the act. Yes its not exactly good social behaviour, but your wee girl doesn't know that - she is simply being natural and following cue from her peers - thats what childhood is all about, and we are there to step in when things get a bit... well when your child starts eating their snotters

Its not the end of the world....

xxxx

 

[can]

I've seen plenty of adults out and about doing this.... That's disgusting!!! Your little girl is just experimenting!! I'm sure she will stop in time, just keep up the encouragement to get her to realise that it's not nice

 

[tinselcat]

Maybe try praising her when she picks her nose and doesn't eat it? (quickly get in there before she does if you spot it?)

x

 

[mrswoody]

My little girl did this and actually was quite proud of herself to the point she would just actually tell me she was doing it! Yuk! She has stopped thankfully but her new thing is "sniffing it back up"! Jeezo!
Yes it's disgusting but it's a phase and she will grow out of it.
My advice would be to ignore her and she will soon see that you're not bothered by it.
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