"Mom, Guess What's in My Nose That I like to Eat?"

Hi K.,

It's almost universal. Don't worry about it, and just hand her a handkerchief or tissue when it seems necessary and ignore it other times. Kids do this for various reasons and some do it on into elementary school. I wouldn't make it a battleground, and by the way she sounds wonderful.

Here is a link to a funny article I came across recently stating that Dr. Friedrich Bischinger, a lung specialist doctor, says that eating boogers is beneficial to the immune system and should be done regularly.
http://web.archive.org/web/20050206140702/www.ananova.com...
You can also google "boogers" and "immune system" to find other articles on this Dr.'s theories. I'm not advocating it myself-- it's gross and a social faux pas, but your question reminded me of the article.

Very funny! My son has the nasty habit of using his clothes as a kleenex. If he's in a tank top he wipes his nose on his shoulder - Eeew! He just started Kindergarten this year and some of his friends teased him about wiping his nose on his shirt and ran away from him saying he was germy. He was really embarrassed and has gotten much better about getting a kleenex - not perfect - but he seems to be more aware of what he is doing. I have yet to be able to teach him how to actually blow his nose - even tried swimming lessons - no luck.
Good old peer pressure should do the trick. Also - Cinderella, Belle and Aurora don't pick their noses!

Well, here's what's been working for us:
His preschool has a little song she sings when she sees picking, and we've tried it. Works well, behavior immediatley stops, without argument, debates, etc.

The song goes like this:
Never, never , never pick your nose.
Up your nostril is not where your finger goes.
Boogers are not for dinner, they belong in your nose.

Grose, I know. But kids laugh at first, then realize you're serious. I think my kids comply when they hear this because I'm not lecturing.

Good luck!

You've given her the full explanation. Now reminders without lectures is the best way to go. If I see mine digging, I just say, "Looks like you need a tissue." and hand her one. Or, "Ew, eating boogers is gross, here's a tissue." Or, the simple handing her a tissue with a smile.

It will take more than one time :-)

So funny! My daughter (now 3.75) said when she was about 3, "Guess what, Mommy. When you and Daddy aren't looking at the monitor I eat my boogies because they're so yummy!" referring to nap-time. If I ever see her with her finger in her nose I gently remind her to use a tissue. My husband has told her how disgusting it is, but I told him that it's not nice to her self-esteem to belittle her for something that is so universal. I don't want her feeling bad about herself for something that--let's face it--won't matter 10 years from now. It's totally no big deal and often the best way to deal with it is to not make a fuss about it (unless of course you see her in action...then hand her a tissue).

How funny! I agree that you shouldn't make a big deal of it. Ask her if she wants to build a bigger booger burger... and if she can say that really fast three times. Then tell her, seriously, that other kids will make fun of her if she picks her nose in front of them, so she should try to remember to use a kleenex. Then just remind her occasionally to try to get in the habit of using a kleenex.

Hi K.-
FIrst, wow. Talk about an imaginitive little one!
Ok, so the deal here- maybe tell her what boogies really are. They are the funky your nose collects and removes from your body. It's like- gross, I know- poo, but nose poo. We don't eat our potty, we don't eat our boogies. Excrement, etc., is kept OUT of hte body so that we stay well. Usually boogs are harmless, but ingesting what your body has already pushed out or blocked out is not good for little tummies. Maybe if she sees it that way, she will stop.
Hope that helps you.
-E. M

LOL! Never quite covered this in CD class hm? Oh yes, they come up with the most amazing things! I would explain that the "boogies" are germ collectors and not something we really want to eat. Leave a box of tissues next to her bed, hopefully she will use it. If she continues this habit she will probably stop when she gets to school...nothing like a healthy dose of peer pressure (ewwww she eats her boogersssss!) to stop a habit dead in its tracks. =)
Good luck and have a happy Thanksgiving...with all the fixings. *chuckle*

Write that quote down, so you don't forget it. It's hilarious.

Just keep telling her it's disgusting, etc. Eventually she'll stop. I stopped in 4th grade when I finally figured out people could see me doing it.

HA! You've got a live one there.

When I was struggling with this issue with my older daughter, my sister in law wisely told me, "If noses aren't for picking, then why are fingers the right size to fit inside them?" Well, I didn't have a good answer for that, I guess! Her point was that if you make a huge big deal out of it, the behavior will probably continue longer because it's forbidden. My SIL went on to say, "Oh, say whatever you want about it, but ultimately this issue will be resolved in preschool." Well, sure enough, the reaction of the other kids to the nose-picking ended this nasty little phase REALLY quickly! Never doubt the power of peer pressure. =)

Your daughter sounds delightful and smart. Her comment to you was unique.

Unfortunately, having taught elemenatary aged children for several years, I have to tell you I've observed children doing this up in to third grade. I've seen them digging up until 8th grade.

And these days, peer pressure doesn't quite work the way we would like it.

When I see children doing this, I hand them the tissue. When I just see them digging, I ask them to get a tissue to blow their nose and then go wash hands.

Greetings K., I have been giggling not over your question and discussion but about your degree.
As the mother of 5, 4 by birth ans one a foster child that we never let go of, I have to say taht the experiances you will be having for the next 30 yeas or so-- will give you more knowledge than any book ever could.
I have run business' and I have done many things-- but none ever compare to the excitement that a child can raise. I compare it to a theme park ride-- with a lot of twists and turns and excitement and thrills and sometimes loosing your stomace in the process. Write this down and keep it for when she is older and even a young mother and needs to know things.
I also want to add that she has found her power button and is a cutie for coming up with a great answer! I had to tell my child that did this that it was like toxic waste and that's why it looks like it sdoes and our bodies get rid of it. That worked for some time until my brother told him otherwise.
I wish you a lifetime of happiness and joy in parenthood-- the best job in the world. Nana Glenda