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How Do I Get My 3 YO to Stop Picking His Nose?



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amother
Beige


 

Post Mon, Sep 19 2016, 11:16 pm
Title says it all.

He's constantly doing it and I would like to help him break the habit.

Looking forward to your replies!
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anonymrs




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Sep 19 2016, 11:27 pm
It doesn't bother him, it bothers YOU. The more attention you give to it, the more you will see an increase in the behavior. Each time you mention it, you are reinforcing it. Stop talking about it. Don't stop him from doing it. Best thing is to really ignore it and he iwll outgrow it eventually.

When you see him picking his nose, redirect his hands to an activity. Rotate the activity so that he doesn't start to associate a particular activity with picking his nose.
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mummiedearest




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Sep 19 2016, 11:40 pm
I have a rule: if I catch you picking your nose, I will make you wash your hands with soap. I never tell them to stop picking their noses, I just inform them that it's time to wash their hands. they learn pretty quickly that if they want to continue playing, they need to keep their fingers out of their noses.
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sara400




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Sep 19 2016, 11:42 pm
I agree 100 percent. The more you make an issue it becomes an obsession. Not everything needs to be noticed and commented on. Try not saying anything for a week and watch it go. He craves YOUR REACTION/ATTENTION. proved it myself. Wtvr you quarrel with intense emotions or disgust becomes a power struggle.

My son used to wet/dribble by day. Went to specialist, did pelvic excersise and just got worst. Used Nurtured heart parenting approach and it's history. Google it, might be helpful.
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chani8




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 12:16 am
I think there is an in-between here, between 'not noticing' to 'sending to wash hands' and that is, nicely hand the child a tissue or wipe. For after all, it's not the nose picking that's the problem is it? It's what he does with what he finds. So give him a tissue.
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greenfire




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 8:12 am
invest in little packs of tissues and teach him how to use them

also many people get blocked nasal passages from summer humidity or winter heaters ... clean out the nose in the morning while washing face & cleaning out gunk from eyes and brushing teeth ... great habits grow with routines
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HonesttoGod




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 10:02 am
I just tell my son to get a tissue.
I can't stop him, I pick my nose too when I need to but the difference is that I am an adult and I know to do it with a tissue and to wash my hands.

So I just give him a tissue and tell him to wash his hands. If he needs to he needs to.
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mummiedearest




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 11:06 am
chani8 wrote:
I think there is an in-between here, between 'not noticing' to 'sending to wash hands' and that is, nicely hand the child a tissue or wipe. For after all, it's not the nose picking that's the problem is it? It's what he does with what he finds. So give him a tissue.


that's if he finds anything. some kids just like sticking fingers up their noses, or have allergies that make their noses itch. the germs are on the fingers regardless of whether or not the child finds something, and s/he should be washing his/her hands. even if you hand your child a tissue or wipe, s/he should be washing hands with soap after. it's a good habit to teach them.
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amother
Natural


 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 11:18 am
My two year old was picking her nose all the time. I ignored it mostly. Sometimes I would have her wash her hands or just remind her-with a smile.
Now, at almost 3 it is down to once in a while. I think it's best not to make a big issue about it, certainly not in a negative way.
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MrsMarmite




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 11:47 am
Tell him his boogers are his brain cells!
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HonesttoGod




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 12:43 pm
MrsMarmite wrote:
Tell him his boogers are his brain cells!


And cause them to be afraid of even blowing their nose or having a cold and a runny nose?
Having boogers is NORMAL. We have to teach them how to deal with it just like we toilet train them not to make on the floor and to wipe themselves after using the toilet.
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FranticFrummie




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 1:01 pm
Get him a full allergy work up. Constantly itchy or runny noses are not normal. He may need to stay off of milk, for starters.
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amother
Beige


 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 1:05 pm
Op here.

Thank you for your replies.

He used to twirl his hair all time and then he stopped twirling his hair and started picking his nose instead. It's kind of similar to a finger-sucking habit. As weird as it sounds, I think that picking his nose is a comfort thing and ignoring it won't help it go away.

Any other ideas?
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anonymrs




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Sep 20 2016, 3:34 pm
Sounds like he might be looking for some sensory input. Can you get him a stress ball or something he can hold in his hands that will provide that for him?
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