Nail Biting

I am a nail biter. My POP is that it is rather like being an alcoholic; although you may be “dry”, one little bite and way-hey, off you go again!

So I say, be always on your guard! That little snag in the nail, cut it off quickly, before the urge to tear at it, twiddle with it, bite it, chew it and roll it around your mouth, overcomes you. 

And there will be many snags as you come off nail-biting, because your nails are very weak from continuous biting and any little yank can snag it.

For parents of nail biters; yes, my son is a nail biter too; I recommend that you be patient. 

No amount of nagging, bitter “stop-biting” paint, hitting, slapping or privilege withdrawals will stop it.

The person doing it is the only one who can stop it.

You can help by trying to talk through their insecurities. 

(I put that in plural knowledgeably; it is never one problem, but an accumulation of many.) 

By being a listening ear without judging. 

I say try, as likely they are too shy or insecure to actually share what it is with you, or be able to identify it.

But patience, love and showing you care, will overcome it in the end. 

There will be relapses as challenges are faced; work through them.

And once you see nails; yes, that glorious white part that grows three-quarters of the way up the finger that is taken for granted by many people; HEAP on the praise, and keep it up so that the nasty, nervous habit is kept under control.