Whether it's thumb-sucking, nose-picking, picky eating, bad manners or other annoying habit, many kids drive their parents crazy. But there are ways to break your kids of bothersome rituals. First of all, harping on them to quit doesn't work. {relatedarticles}Punishment probably won't, either. When you want to break your child of a nasty habit, then it's time to get creative. If there are health concerns about the habit, like nose picking or thumb sucking, which can transmit germs, then explain why it's important to stop. Don't use words like "yuck" or "gross" in reference to the habit; this can foster feelings of rejection. Plus, getting a rise out of a toddler just eggs him on. Offer a bandage for the child's finger or thumb to discourage picking or sucking. If the dinner table is your family's bad-habit battleground, then picky eating or bad manners may be your complaint. If you're tired of being a short-order cook, then allow your child to eat like an adult.
Picking food that she likes off your plate may help your child become accustomed to different tastes. Allowing the child to "eat what the pet eats" - lettuce for a hamster, greens for a guinea pig, etc. - could foster a love of vegetables. Unconventional, sure. {relatedarticles}But it could work. If the cleanup song isn't working after playtime, then pack up the toys that aren't in their place and let your child know that you can find a home for the toys she won't take care of. One trip to the Salvation Army will probably ensure cleanliness - or you could bluff and hide the toys. If the influence of another friend or family member would have an impact on the habit, then give that a try. Child won't eat broccoli? If she idolizes her older cousin, then tell her the older cousin loves broccoli. Clever solutions will ensure that your child tapers off, and eventually quits, the annoying behavior.