How To Get Your Kid To Stop Biting Nails

Just like adults mindlessly chew at their fingernails, so practice kids. Information technology might be a nervous addiction — or a "grooming" action they turn to in moments of boredom. More ofttimes than not, they don't fifty-fifty realize when they are doing it.

It could be an unconscious get-to if they are worried nigh taking a test, thinking about a situation with a friend, or only watching a brain-numbing video on YouTube.

More often than not speaking, nail-biting is no big deal and fairly harmless; you might consider having some patience and wait to meet if this phase passes. Nonetheless, if finger-chomping hangs in for the long haul (or if they're doing damage to their cuticles and smash beds), y'all'll want to have some elementary steps to nip this habit in the bud. Hither'due south what y'all can and should do.

girl nervous biting nails — Krakenimages.com/ Shutterstock

How to cease kids from biting nails

If you're ready to assistance your child finish this habit, you'll want to take a gradual approach. Progress can exist slow; remember, your kiddo isn't really doing this on purpose — so show empathy and accept patience, and keep these steps in mind:

Stride i: Talk about information technology

More important than figuring out how to stop a bad habit is learning why it'southward happening in the first place. If your child is nail-bitter as a means of channeling their nervousness, yous volition want to empathise the root of their anxiety. Don't push; just try to keep the lines of communication open up. Whatever you do, avert scolding or reprimanding. This isn't a child being naughty, later all; this is your child being human. Moreover, besides much negativity from you could backfire, fuel your child's anxiety, and crusade their nail-biting habit to worsen.

Step ii: Cut those nails

If your kid keeps trying to crumb on their nails, you will desire to make sure they are trim and tidy. The reality is: You can't chew on something that's not at that place. What'south more, this will ensure that their nails remain clean and free of bacteria and jagged edges, then in that location's less yuck for them to potentially suck on.

Pace 3: Find a replacement and shift their focus

Your child just might need something else to focus on. Effort a few alternative options; they can channel their "nervous" free energy with a stress ball, Play-Doh, or another tactile option. Fifty-fifty rubbing a rabbit'south human foot might do the fox. If it seems like they're more drawn to something chewable, endeavor giving them a bowl of carrot sticks (if age-advisable) or another good for you snack to crunch on.

Footstep 4: Help them notice

Your child is probably not aware of how often they are putting their fingers to their mouth. To this end, you lot'll want to work with them to make them more cognizant of the habit. Notice a subtle, nonabrasive way to clue your child in that they're, once again, biting their nails. Create your own secret language — tap their knee or come up with a clever code give-and-take. As you begin to remind them, they'll offset to exist better at recognizing it themselves.

Pace 5: Utilise a bitter blanket

If your other attempts neglect, you could plough to a bitter-coating polish. You apply this to your child'due south nails, and they volition get a not-so-delightful (and sour-tasting) reminder every time they mindlessly try to blast bite. Of course, you lot should not jump this on your kid equally a surprise. Think, you want to talk through the options. Allow your child know that this is not a punishment; this is something y'all're trying to do together.

Stride 6: Reward their efforts

Overcoming a addiction similar blast-bitter is no like shooting fish in a barrel task — especially since it's something that's happening without thought or premeditation. It'southward an ingrained behavior, and that makes information technology particularly difficult to cease. So when you do have early success, celebrate those moments. Create a reward organization and marking the milestones as you continue your joint efforts. Did your child go a whole twenty-four hour period without bitter their nails? This warrants a prize! Figure out the system that works for you and motivates your child to keep going.

boy biting nails — Ann in the uk/ Shutterstock

When to be concerned

If your child's nail-biting leads to physical concerns — chipped teeth, ingrown nails, damaged cuticles, or worse — you may want to talk to your child'south pediatrician. And if y'all suspect that the habit is a consequence of anxiety, information technology's never a bad idea to find a professional your child can talk to. Anxiety is a part of growing upwardly, merely finding salubrious coping mechanisms can help your child face big and small challenges more readily.

As you know, many grown-ups still bite their nails. It certainly isn't the all-time habit, but it's also not the worst. You can certainly attempt our tips on how to stop your child'due south nail-biting, simply keep age in mind and remember to prioritize communication above all else. If you continue at it — slowly but surely — your kiddo volition become more than enlightened and will more than probable want to work with you to adjourn the habit.