The instinctual action of a parent is to immediately tell the child to: "Get that finger out of your nose! Don't you know how gross that is? Awww.....! Don't put that in your mouth!"
Of course they don't get it - they just smile at me.
But with my third (who is two), I just say one word: "Ewwww!" or "Yucky!" And she gets the picture. She repeats the word with a smile.
Why is she picking her nose? Because there is something in there, and she wants to 'clear the way' so to speak.
My opinion? If you want to pick your nose - fine. Just do it in private where I don't have to see it.
Part of being a parent is teaching our children social graces. Picking your nose (and eating it!) is one of those social niceties that children need to be taught. They need to learn that picking their nose in public is not socially acceptable.
But seriously. Don't make a huge deal about it. Otherwise they will do it again, just for the satisfaction of your attention and/or reaction. Teach them that it is something that others do not care to see, 'cause you know they're not going to stop doing it!
One final note. As a previous kindergarten teacher, I have a song I would like to share:
(sung to the tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)
There a finger in your nose - get it out!
There a finger in your nose - get it out!
There a finger in your nose - and that's not where it goes...
There a finger in your nose - get it out!
Finger Lickin' Good Facts:
1. Your nose is a filter for bacteria. Eating what is filtered will strengthen your immune system!
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2. It's Snot Lunch, but mostly water, flushing away those germs away from your lungs.
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3. If your child eats boogers, it's Snot the end of the world.
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fun review-but i would pick my friends nose --its more fun..hehe
ReplyDeleteAgain - I only have one word ;) Ewwwww......
DeleteYou are absolutely right-kids will not stop pickin'! We can tell them their finger will get stuck up their nose and a host of other dreadful consequences they will be forced to endure and it won't matter. As I walk our dog every morning it seems there is an over-abundance of the grown population driving to work or wherever doing the same exact thing. Now that's just wrong!
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing or reading that somewhere before! Yuck.
DeleteI know kids will pick. It's gross. I agree, if you fuss, they'll do it more. Just hand them a tissue. Tell them , if out in public that it's not the place. Then hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteI think whoever you are, however old you are - as long as you do it in private and clean your hands afterward, who cares? I've got more important things to worry about.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't a big deal as long as it is in private and you clean your hands afterwards.
ReplyDeleteYeah - my kids don`t get the `do it in private` yet. Hence this post. And it grosses me out, when they then come to me with those yucky hands.... I`m lucky when they remember to wash their hands after they go to the bathroom!
ReplyDeleteMy son is not so much a nose "picker" but a Snot "LICKER" lol. I swear if his nose is running all the way down to him little upper lip, he would rather run away, squealing and giggling, and LICK the snot, than have me wipe his nose off!! Seriously, what is it with kids and their boogers??? And if you think about it, even if you have a tissue over your finger (adults!!) it's still picking your nose. I hate when I see the parents who try to make fun of their kids for doing it. That's the bothersome part!
ReplyDeleteMy four year old is picking her nose.. I never thought about like this though!
ReplyDeleteTotally tweeted! I love this post. And I agree, it'SNOT the end of the world. Hello? I pick my nose!
ReplyDeleteGeorgia - thanks for the tweet! Thanks for sharing (and I mean more than just my post....hee hee hee) Jessica - glad I gave you a little something to think about :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a good way to do it.. my kids were not nose pickers but finger biters.. and we did the same thing with that..
ReplyDeleteIt's not the end of the world. In fact, more than likely, it's a great immune system builder. Lol. I tweeted the first and third key quotes, but FYI the second one had too many characters.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I love this. I can't say that I have ever caught either of my boys "diggin' for gold" up their noses, so either they already know to do it in private or they just don't do it. I think it's probably the former ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Love this! My youngest is so proud of himself when he picks his nose, farts or burps. He cracks me up! Still trying to teach him not to do it in public though
ReplyDeleteThankfully my kids never ate it, that I saw. But I've seen adults in the next car, and once a manager at a bank, sneaking and eating a booger when they thought no one was looking. Yuck!
ReplyDeletethis made me laugh
ReplyDeleteEWW! i think you nailed it. If you want to pick your nose, do it in private!! Nothing worse then seeing someone pick their nose and wipe it somewhere!
ReplyDeleteI don't really mind those kids doing that because I understand they're still children but of course, teaching them not to do that in public is a must since some (or maybe most people) might find gross.
ReplyDeleteI am going to say it: I was a nose-picker when I was a toddler. We even have a pic with Santa just post-pick - ewww! My Mother's disappointment when we got the picture is what finally convinced me to stop. Now my niece is a picker, and the next time I see her I am going to try to get a picture to show her what it looks like - maybe that will work for her, too.
ReplyDeleteI like the song I started to singing it with the kiddos & now they wont stop singing it. There a finger in your nose lol
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA!!! This post was hysterical. My first two never picked their nose,ever. My third child he is always digging in there and yes he will eat it, it is the grossest thing ever! He knows its not polite because he gets mortified if I catch him. I dont know what they find with picking their nose lol.
ReplyDeleteYour fun facts are so gross, but so good to know! My girls are nose pickers I just point them to the bathroom. They get the message. Your song is cute though.. I may bust it tomorrow just for fun!
ReplyDeleteNot sure about your finger lick'n facts! lol But they were interesting to read!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you.. It’s one of the most common bad habits that kids pick up. Nose-picking is unhealthy because little fingers can introduce all kinds of bad germs into a child’s nasal membranes. My niece has the same habit and I try to keep her nasal passages moist with a saline solution, doctor prescribed..Also, as soon as I see her reaching into her nose, immediately hand her a tissue. I get tired of doing these but what to do
ReplyDeletePretty sure I'd risk immunity rather than eating the filtered objects.... I figure kids are gonna pick but if we can get them to do it in private, we've won the fight.
ReplyDeleteI had a good laugh reading this piece... It's fairly common and even some adults do it in public. Oh mon dieu! LOL!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I always tell my sister's kids to use a tissue if they need to pick their nose. Heck, sometimes I have to pick mine! It's just a matter of not digging for gold in public! The song is really fun.
ReplyDeleteOh this is so true! I try not to make a big deal about it, I just say...let's get a tissue for that! That usually works!
ReplyDeleteMy boys never picked their noses, but one of their best friends did once while they were around and ate it. So after than my kids would constantly tell me about the friend who picked and ate the nasty booger.
ReplyDeleteLol, my kids love to "dig for gold" & I am pretty much giving up on the "in private" part. It's gross, but they are boys & I think they are doing it just to gross me out :) I do keep tissues on hand
ReplyDeleteLove the song :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right. Civilization is basicly taking others in consideration. You can pick your nose in private. In public, please, take others in consideration.
That is too funny. My daughter still tries to do this!
ReplyDeleteLove the song!! I'm a first grade teacher and guess what I'm teaching my kids tomorrow? ;)
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love the song!! I have it stuck in my head now, thanks!! :)
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