Hello,
I have a 3 year that is constantly picking at her nails. We think it is a nervous habit and have tried many things to distract her from this, but no success so far. She is a very bright, independent little girl who does not like to fail. We recognize this and have tried to provide an enviornment that lets her know mistakes are okay and that help is a good thing. I am just concerned that she is internalizing her frustrations at such a young age and I want her to be a little easier on herself.
Any advice, or been in a similiar situation? We have tried the bribes of a manicure, etc no luck so far.
Thanks!
A.
keep her fingers moisturized so there arent any little "crispy" things to pick at. Replace her picking habit with some lotions.. when you see her picking tell her "it's time for your pretty lotion" and then have her put some on. Maybe some baby lotion it a cutle little pump bottle that she can do herself when you tell her its time.
I pick my nails out of boredom and frustration and just because I like to. I have for years. They don't look terrible, but they are week and brittle. I do pick at them less when I have them painted because I can't see the dirt under my fingernails. You can't bribe her. It is just a habit and she probably doesn't even realize she is doing it. Can you give her something else to figit with, little hand held games or magna doodle or something small? Keep her hands busy doing something else?? I don't really know what ... perhaps you can teach her how to do manicures. Does she pick at them when they are painted? I wouldn't so much pick at my nails, but I would just peel the paint off. So my finger nails were never painted long. I'm not sure what, but you need to find something else for her figity hands...
Hi A. :-)
I am a Registered Nurse and an Energy Medicine Practitioner. You mention you sense your daughter is internalizing frustrations. I can offer a FREE technique of energy balancing which will help bring a sense of "calm" to your daughter's brain, so that it can communicate with itself and destress.
If you want, visit my website www.amyfreundbodytalk.com and select the tab that speaks about Dr. John Veltheim teaching the CORTICES technique. There are two videos there. The first speaks about how STRESS causes so many imbalances in the brain.. that's our main hardrive! And, how balancing the brain by doing the CORTICES can immediately help bring a state of calm (parasympathetic response) so that the brain can heal itself.
It's simple and free and you may just be QUITE surprised as your daughter's change in stress behavior. Also, do this on yourself and notice how you feel!
hugs,
A. www.amyfreundbodytalk.com
I agree...could be boredom or nervousness....just give her something do do maybe? Coloring...etc..something to do with her hands...play-doh! :) Hope that helps...
my daughter picks and bites her nails out of boredom/frustration/nervousness. i pick my lips out of boredom, or stress...just normal thing
I like the advice of Grandma T! I also pick at my nails/lips out of nervousness/boredom. I force myself to get up and do something if I am doing it. I also use acrylic nails so that keeps me from ruining my own, and the longer nails don't allow me to peel at the skin/cuticles around my nails. I put lipstick on constantly to keep my lips from feeling dry. Obviously you can't use these measures on a 3 yr. old, but I thought might help other moms who click on your question because they have the problem, like I did.
I like the lotion idea too. I think it's somewhat normal. I did it and my 4 year old does. Distraction is best... My Ped said they often just pick up the habit from someone at school/daycare and isn't a sign of internalizing frustrations... just a habit. Good luck.
