2006-12-12 13:13:20 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Do not use fear tactics, they don't work. You'll have to get to the root of what is causing her nervousness and deal with that issue, then the nail biting will be easier for her stop. She will have to decide this, not you.
2006-12-13 04:20:33 · answer #1 · answered by Speed Of Thought 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 36 and was a nail biter since I had teeth. I wanted to stop biting, but just didn't have the motivation. The nail polishes don't work because you just peel it off with your teeth and then continue to bite. All the threats of fingernails floating around in my stomach forever never deterred me. I don't know whether an offer of money from my parents would have helped or not, because they never tried that.
I couldn't quit for my wedding or my ten year high school reunion because I just really didn't care enough. What made me finally stop was getting braces this summer. It's now physically impossible to bite my nails, and they are long and (sort of) beautiful now, though all those years of biting have kind of ruined the natural shape of them, and the chipped/peeled/wavy areas are still growing out.
If you're not planning on putting braces on your daughter anytime soon, ask her what it would take for her to quit. Maybe by naming her own reward, it will make it more desirable for her.
Also, I just wanted to add that for me, it wasn't something I did when I was nervous, anxious, or bored...it was totally habit. I usually never even realized my fingers were in my mouth. That's not to say that anxiety doesn't cause it for some people, I'm just relating my personal experience.
2006-12-13 02:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by The Skin Horse (formerly ll2) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what you can do. I was never a nail biter but my sister was/still is and is in her 40s. Years ago when she was getting ready for her wedding the day before she had a complete set of nails done, (fake), because she wanted her hands to look good for the photos of the rings. She spent $75.00 on the entire manicure, along with gloves for overnight and by the time she walked down the aisle the next morning she had bitten ALL ten of the nails off. Some people just never out grow it.
2006-12-12 14:53:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a couple of thing you can do. First one is you can get this nail polish at the grocery store that tastes horrible when she goes to bite her nails and tastes it she will be grosed out. You can also put tape or band-aids on her nails. Maybe you can make it a contest thing for every day she doesn't bite her nails you add $0.25 to her allowance.
2006-12-13 10:11:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have her keep track of everything she touches during the day. Dirty toys, shoes, books, other people, money which is the most filthy. Who know's how many hands have handled it in just one day. Then ask her would she be willing to pit all of that in her mouth, which is exactly what she is doing when she bites her nails. After petting an animal would she put that in her mouth too? Maybe even the droppings. Gross? You bet. Stopped my kids from biting their nails and now they tell their kids the same. Hope it works.
2006-12-13 00:08:53 · answer #5 · answered by older, not wiser 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your daughter bites her nails because of anxiety,(nervousness)
For whatever reason she is anxious, this is what needs to be addressed first.
One thing you can do to help her is, spend more quality time with her, and get involved in what 'she' likes to do like palying games,
even going for walks or nature hikes.
Either way, nail biting is a result of 'nerves' (anxiety).
Talk to her openly and get her to tell you what she is feeling, thinking and needing, and if she says 'nothing' is wrong she's like millions of others who say the same thing, usually because they cannot pin-point the problem themselves.
As her mother you 'should' be able to get her to open up.
Whatever happens love her and let her know you 'are' there for her, regardless of what she might tell you.
Kids have reasons for why they have anxiety, and as her mother
it is up to you to help her and allow her to have as peaceful
a childhood as possible.
Take a look at what is going on in 'your' life that may be a BIG
trigger for this anxious habit.
2006-12-12 13:32:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 8 and would bite his nails to the point that they would bleed. I came across some all natural spray that is very bitter, but not harmful. I sprayed a little on his fingers and he hasn't been chewing his nails in over three weeks now. His fingernails are finally growing back!
2006-12-13 05:35:54 · answer #7 · answered by rellimztik_arual 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some people are jest born nail biters I'm 18 and still bite my nails most girls grow of it around 13 or so when the fake nails start costing u a small fortune
how ever i know a girl who still bites her nails and is 19
2006-12-12 13:19:08 · answer #8 · answered by kingjoey66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 20 and I still bite my nails, though not so often any more, usually just when I'm stressed out or need a cigarette, which obviously isn't the case with your daughter. One thing I did that helped was started painting them. You don't wanna be chewing on that stuff.
2006-12-12 13:21:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a nailpolish at Walmart you can buy. It tastes horrible, but doesn't hurt you. My daughter actually asked for it so she could stop biting her nails and grow them long. I can't remember what it is called, but if you go to the nail care isle, not all the brand names and colors, but where the files and such are, it is there.
2006-12-12 15:35:29 · answer #10 · answered by C B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋