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Habits
Fingernail-biting, nose-picking, thumb-sucking and hair twirling are
habits that serve two emotional functions. Firstly to relieve
anxiety and secondly to provide stimulation and comfort. These
habits are common amongst school-going children, especially those
that worry about a certain aspect at school or those whose family
life is unsettled. This can cause parents to rage about the fact
that it is totally socially unacceptable, and causes great
embarrassment when in company of others. But before you reprimand
your child harshly, remember that these stress relieving mechanisms
are a normal part of his development, and that as an adult you
probably have a few of your own, such as foot-tapping or biting the
end of a pen.
Given time, most children outgrow their habits, but you may want to
speed up the process, especially if it is apparent that the child is
causing bodily harm.
Assess the situation, by taking note of when the child is most
likely going to turn to her habit, does she do it out of nervousness
or satisfaction? Remember that habits that are done out of pleasure
are easier to break than those done in times of anxiousness. Talk to
your child about the problem, as she may not even be aware of the
fact that she does it, and together you can discuss alternative ways
of seeking comfort. Be sure to praise her for all her for all her
efforts, maybe suggesting that if she abstains from nail-biting you
will buy her a pretty nail varnish, or plan a special outing for her
at the end of the week. There are bound to be many slip-ups, so it
is best to prepare yourself for these, remembering not to place too
much emphasis on success, as it will only heighten her anxiety
level.
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