Nosepickers and booger-eaters

October 6, 10:50 AMSalt Lake City Parenting ExaminerRachael Lever

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Nose Picker #3

  So, I wonder what it is about boogers that kids like so much? I don’t recall having an affinity for them myself, but obviously a lot of children do, because it’s hard to go anywhere where there are a number of children and not see a couple of fingers up the nostril, and heading directly for their mouths.

  You, as a childless person often wondered why parents didn’t teach their children some manners. Why don’t they keep a hanky in their pocket? Or at least go somewhere else to do it. Now that you have a little nose picker yourself, you are in the same dilemma that all of parentdom faces. How do you get them to stop?

  Have you ever tried to get a kid to stop picking their nose? It is nigh unto impossible. We have tried all the methods we can think of, but I think it may be time to do some serious research because they just don’t care.

  First reason: It is gross. Do you know what it is that you’re eating? Pretty much all of the stuff that is too bad for you to breathe in, and here you are EATING it! This reasoning does not even cause them to blink an eye. They are not actually very concerned about their health when they are young. Go figure.

  Second reason: No one will want to play with you. That one they know instinctively is a falsehood, because all of their friends are doing it too, or they are too little to care about having friends.

  Third reason: You might make your nose bleed. Again, not so concerned about it until it actually happens, and then how soon they forget.

  Fourth reason: IT’S GROSS! JUST QUIT IT! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO GET A TISSUE TO WIPE YOUR NOSE! The yelling, as usual, is less effective.

 One thing that I haven't tried, the scary stomach eating boogers. I just heard about this from my husband and his sister. Apparently, when boogers are swallowed, they stick to the lining of your stomach and eat holes through your stomach and out through your skin. This was the advice given to them by their uncle. I'm afraid that's a little too gory, but it actually worked for them, so maybe it has some merit. I'm not quite ready to try that, yet.

  I’ve heard of other methods, besides the reasoning, but I’m just not sure. Vaseline on their noses? Does that really work? I’m looking for ideas here, so if you’ve got something, let me know. I could really use some help, because the boogers that don’t get eaten are collecting in other various places around the house (the wall, the couch, the floor, etc.).