Originally Posted by TatumsMom (Post 989162)

I have this same problem with my almost 13 year old daughter. We got her to break the habit one time when she was 4 by telling her that I would paint her fingernails for a wedding that she was going to be in IF she could stop biting them long enough to have to clip them at least twice. She did stop because she was so excited about the wedding and about getting all dolled up for it but then when she started kindergarten she started it up again. All I have to do is say "fingernails!!" to her and she'll stop (for the moment) but start up again. It's such a habit for her that she doesn't even realize she's doing it. One Halloween she was an M&M and the costume had those hard rubber hand things. She actually chewed a hole in the rubber! We've tried the bitter stuff you paint on the nails.... no help. Her pediatrician told me a long time ago that I should not allow her to paint her nails if she's biting them and then maybe that incentive would work. It did the first time..... now, she just doesn't care. She's such a tomboy that the nail polishing "treat" just isn't alluring enough for her.

I used to bite my nails too when I was younger. You know what stopped me?? My mom finally allowed me to wear some minimal makeup, including some real light colored lipstick/lipgloss. I was so intent on that lipstick staying on that I stopped biting my nails. I knew if I put my fingers in my mouth, the lipstick would get rubbed off. Vain? Maybe! But it worked! If you do find a sure-cure, let me know! My daughter's habit is driving me nuts!!