Nail biters - literally

[Jo]

Hoping for bit of inspiration here[msnsmile]

I have 2 children who are nailbiters , who seem to be immune to all the 'Stop and Grow' type products in the UK.

Does anyone know of anything available in the US that might break the habit? The children are 11 and 8 - no sign of growing out of it - they'll be down to their elbows soon!

The stronger the better[}]

[Snapper]

Gloves? [msnsmile2]

[Aiminghigh]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Jo
Hoping for bit of inspiration here[msnsmile]

I have 2 children who are nailbiters , who seem to be immune to all the 'Stop and Grow' type products in the UK.

Does anyone know of anything available in the US that might break the habit? The children are 11 and 8 - no sign of growing out of it - they'll be down to their elbows soon!

The stronger the better[}]
[/quote]

My daughter was like this from being tiny. I tried everything, and I mean EVERYTHING! A relative offered her a huge cash bribe when she was 11, which consisted of cash for each nail grown by Christmas(starting from September). I said it would never work as she just couldn't stop no matter what. Amazingly, she stopped biting immediately and by that Christmas had a beautiful set of painted nails! She received her money. Less than a year later she started again[msnsad]. It proved to me that she could in fact do it, even after all the years of biting. The truth is that unless there is any great reason for them wanting to stop-they won't! All the horrible tasting things in the world wouldn't stop her though. She did it because she had a very good reason to do it-I was amazed.

[Jo]

Good idea [msnwink]- I've also thought of handcuffs behind their back , but thought their school work might suffer!

[Cruella DeVilla]

Jo,

Boys or girls or both?

I have a 21 y/o boy who still bites them so badly and a 16 y/o girl who was the same untill 4 weeks ago and out of the blue she has stopped[msneek] can't believe it as we have tried everything including mega bribes, but she just did it so who knows, I had given up[msnwink]

None of my other children bite though[msnscared]

[jovi]

I would be glad for any info on this too[:I] I have a 9 year old who bites his nails until they bleed I have tried bribes and all sorts, he says he wants to stop but can't, my other son who is 14 has never done this[?] So someone please help

[mizzy]

Hi Jo

at the ages of 11 and 8 i think that you will be fighting a losing battle to get them out of "the habit"

when i was little my mum had a mantra that went along the lines if you bite the fingers then you do the toes too

it must have had the desired effect because none of us bite our nails even my big brother who is a big rough and ready sort of guy

you didnt say if your children are girls or boys maybe you could let them have some girly pampering sessions with some of your childrens friends or a boys alternative treat as a reward system for not biting

or perhaps a nail growing competition with a fab prize would give them the incentive to start anew

good luck Mizzy

[Jo]

The 11 year old is a boy - so not impressed with nail polish! Megan is 8. She bites hers as a nervous habit I think. I watch her at Gynmastics and when its not her go she is always nibbling.

Both are awful when watching TB.

I might take up the gloves suggestion - to be worn while watching TV - that might help.

My other 11 year old son doesn't nibble at all. I'd love nails like his as mine are weak and always breaking. I'd like to say too much housework - but its more likely too much typing!

[dawn]

My 38 year old hubby is still chewing away - nothing to do with being married to me of course[msnwink]
Maybe they will grow out of it in time like Julie's 16 year old