My son is now 15?

Question

and when in the house with just me and his 18 year old sister, he is comfortable enough to still suck his thumb. He wont when anyone else around though. What can I do to persuade him not to. \I have threatened, offered rewards. walked out the room. I hate to see him doing it as he looks so stupid but he just laughs and does it even more when i mention it

Answer 1

If he only does around you and his sister then let him get on with it. I doubt that he would chance doing it in front of his mates.

My Hubby does it too sometimes, and he is 33.

Answer 2

This can be a very embarrassing problem but not unheard of.
I also know of a woman who sucked her thumb well into her 20's but she only sucked it when she was very tired or asleep in bed!

She sought help from the dentist who designed a plate which fit similar to a plate brace only with a lot less metal involved which prevented her from gaining suction upon her thumb.

But the main thing is he needs to want to stop sucking his thumb or it will never happen even with the plate!
The woman wished to stop due to having one daughter 1 1/2 and another baby on the way.

Embarrassing him is not the way to go you could just force him to suck his thumb more often than he does. It is a comfort to him as is a young child needing to keep a blanket close by its gives a feeling of security.
I mean you want him to stop but not at the expense of his self confidence.

Answer 3

Im 18, and my brother has just turned 16. He had to have braces for the last 2 years because when he constantly sucked his thumb hard, he gradually pushed his front teeth forward. Yet, all during his braces, and still now, even when they are off, he continues to suck his thumb. he has been told that continuing to do so will result in his teeth changing again, but this has had no effect. i agree with the person who suggested video taping it. this can be done quite secretively on a mobile phone nowadays!!! :p just catch him at it and show to all. if all else fails, and if he sucks it in his sleep, put mustard, tabasco sauce or if he dont like it, marmite on his thumb!! you can also get that nail polish that tastes disgusting to stop nail biting. hope this helpedx

Answer 4

don't worry about it, if he feels comfortable enough with his home (& himself) to carry on thumb sucking, let him do it. He won't do it near his mates but everyone need a bit of comfort in this cruel world! My son is 16 & he has always run his fingers through my hair since he was about 6 months old, he still does it now if he's relaxed or watching the TV, I feel priviledged that he still wants to be that close to me, when you see what some 16year olds are like. I tell him to make sure he has a girlfriend with long hair so he can carry on!!!! THE DAY WILL COME WHEN THEY LEAVE HOME & ITS ALL GONE FOREVER. Make the most of every precious moment.

Answer 5

Well, I do sympathise with you to a certain degree, but if the worst thing he does is suck his thumb, I wouldn't worry too much. At least he only does it in private, and it shows as you say, that he is comfortable with you. I'm sure the day will come when he stops, and at 15 the day isn't far off when he won't be with you, he'll have his own home. Make the most of him while he's with you!

Answer 6

He will quit when it is important to him to do so. There is nothing you can do or say to make him quit. I know a number of people that sucked their thumbs well into their 20's...in the privacy of their homes/rooms. If it offends you too much tell him he has to confine that behavior to his own room. No exceptions. That is not an unreasonable request.

You might want to talk to your dentist about a "cage"....our othodontist put one in my childs mouth for about 6 or so months and that stopped the thumb sucking without a word/fight. It also helped her teeth straighten a bit. It isn't cheep, cost around 400-500$, but if your insurance will cover....it's worth it. good luck!

Answer 7

it sounds like he is trying to get attention. if you ignore him he will probably stop it. if he doesnt then you should tell him that sucking his thumb can mishapen his thumb and when his friends come round mention the fact he sucks his thumb still and go all babyish over him....it will embaress him so much he wont ever do it again...if you dont want to be really mean "accidently" say it infront of his friends some how!! maybe spend some time with him as well, because if he is seekin your attention, then this may stop it

Answer 8

My cousin is 41 and still sucks her thumb, im sure he will stop when he feels ready. They say they do this for comfort and security, my children have never done this but have had comforters and it took me a while to get one of my sons off that. Im sorry you having trouble with him doing this but im sure he will stop, but the more you nag him to stop the more he will do it because he knows it annoys you. Sorry cant help you futher x

Answer 9

I sucked my thumb till I was 27 then started smoking wish I had stuck to the thumb. If he only does it within the family or privately it wont do him any harm.

Answer 10

I'm 31 and at times I still catch myself doing it, especially when I am v tired or having trouble sleeping. Dont worry, I used to do it in front of my family until I was well towards 20 but just grew out of it, didn't ever make a concious effort to stop.

Answer 11

My sister still sucks her thumb n she is 17 its a comfort thing and there is no way to stop it im affraid it is down to your son