Cure your child's nail biting

It is very annoying to you when you see your child biting their nails: you worry about how badly the child's nails are looking and you want her to stop.

First of all, let's think about this: most people feel that a child will bite her nails to relieve anxiety and also to bring comfort. After a few times of biting her nails, it becomes a habit and then it is very difficult to stop.

I would not advise you to nag or reprimand her as sometimes this makes her want to bite more. Try to notice the times when she does bite her nails, perhaps while watching television, after fussing with a sibling, in the car, etc.

Try to draw her attention to something else, play a talking game in the car, give her a toy to play with that will require her hands to be active and then she'll stop thinking about biting her nails. Sometimes this works right away, other times it doesn't. Try to jot down in a notebook what brings about the nail biting.

Sit down with your child and talk about the nail biting,

1.Tell her that you have noticed she is biting her nails and also show her your nails and how pretty they are and that hers will be also if she will stop biting hers.

2.Ask her if she knows why she is biting her nails: maybe she has a reason. Tell her that when you see her starting to bite her nails that you will be reminding her that it is not a good thing to be doing;

3.Tell her you won't be fussing at her, just trying to help her to stop.

4.Don't assume that she wants to quit biting her nails: this has became a habit and she probably doesn't want to quit. Once she agrees to start making an effort then you are on the way to her stopping.

5.Have her reach both hands up to her mouth or clasp her hands in her lap when you remind her that you see her biting again, or tell her 'when you want to bite, try clasping your hands together.' Then you have started a new habit of clasping her hands instead of biting: it just takes a few times to get this pattern established.

6.Another plan is to tell her that when she has stopped biting her nails completely you and her will have a special day together: maybe go to the zoo, the movie or just do something that she especially would like.

7.Maybe you could even buy some pretty nail polish and tell her you will help her make

her nails as pretty as yours.

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