Toddler Talk

Mallory has never been a thumb sucker or a nuk needer. As of so far she hasn't really had any sort of habit that we would be worried about her needing to break.

Until that is, a few weeks ago. She started picking her nose. (Oh I hang my head in embarrasement for my daughter.) She came down with a cold a few weeks ago and ever since she has this need to pick. Yuck, disgusting, germ spreading I know all of these things...and worst of all I can't get her to stop. We always tell her to stop picking her nose and that she should use a kleenex. She doesn't do it all the time. It is clearly when she has nothing else to do--like relaxing while watching TV or riding in the car.

I have started telling her that she isn't going to make any friends if she continues to pick her nose--is that mean?? It might be, but it's true. I can remember the kid in 5th grade who was a nose picker. To this day I remember what he looked and his name (public blog so I am not sharing his name--protecting the innocent)

We were driving home from the lake a few days ago and Mallory started to pick. Now I know she was in the car for 3 hours and that is a long time for a 2 year old to sit patiently. However, its still a gross habit that needs to be addressed each and everytime the finger goes in so this is how the conversation went:
K: Mallory stop picking your nose, if you need a kleenex please ask for one.
M: No mommy, I have a booger way up in my nose.
K: Well it doesn't matter how far up in your nose the booger is, you need to use a kleenex. Picking your nose is gross and spreads germs that make you and other people sick
M: Kleenex not work, only this finger will work to get that big booger out. (This is all said with her pointer finger jammed as far up in her nose as she could get it)

I gave up, turned my head, laughed under my breath and said "blog moment", pulled a kleenex out of the box and handed it to Mallory

K: When you get the big booger out wipe it on the kleenex.

She is only two--hopefully by the time she goes to Kindergarten she'll have the habit kicked.