Breaking “Bad” Habits

Anyone else noticed some not-very-pleasant habits with your toddlers? My child picks at her belly button every chance she gets and I am not okay with that. Maybe I am even more concerned because I grew up with a few bad habits myself, one of which I still do.

Habits are repeated behaviour(s) that a child does, almost without thinking. In fact, habits in children are considered normal, because it is usually their way of soothing/comforting themselves in stressful situations. More like the way an adult will take a walk or go to the gym to cool off after a stressful day.

It could also be their way of engaging themselves when they are bored. Doctors have also confirmed that some children engage in some habits to get their parents to pay attention to them. This happens mostly with the middle kids.

it usually blows over, as they grow. And I agree ….to some extent. Because I stopped sucking my thumb eventually, despite all my parents and relatives did to get me to stop ahead of that time. However, I still bite my nails even though I am grown.

I have observed that I bite my nails when I am trying to concentrate. Believe me, I have tried different tactics to help me stop and I still catch myself occasionally (that might be an understatement) biting my nails. That is probably the reason I am concerned about this habit that I have noticed in my child. I don’t want something that she gets stuck with, that becomes difficult to control even when she becomes an adult.

Psychologists have a few advice for parents of children with certain unflattering habits;

Try diverting their attention into something more productive. For instance, if your child starts to bite their nails (let’s just go with that, since I already went there), you can divert his/her focus into something else by asking him/her to do something that will involve using his or her hands. That way, the child is not idle that he or she would need to bite their fingers.

At intervals, point out the habits while also expressing how unflattering it is (in a gentle and positive tone). If your child dips his or her hands in the diaper that he or she is wearing, you can tell them how dirty the diaper is and how that is eeewww! 

Praise them when you notice that they aren’t engaging in the habit. When you see them make an effort to not engage in the habit by focusing on something else, praise that effort. Hopefully, this encourages them to continue to exercise self control.

Be consistent in encouraging them to stop. This means you will need to be patient and gentle in the way you express your displeasure. I know you will get frustrated at some point (I think my parents had enough), especially if the child refuses to give up the habit. But they (psychologists) are saying it is important that you do not throw in the towel.

Alright. I guess, I will try this out.

Well, it looks like today’s write up is more for me. Because this is of serious concern to me. However, I would like to know what habits you have noticed in your child and what you are currently doing to curb it?