tearing nails : how do you stop this?

[bananacarnival]

I'm despairing!

Dd (5) has been tearing her nails on her hands and feet for over a year now. I've tried everything from explaining calmly, to frightening her with Google images of damaged nails to promises of sparkly nail varnish.

She's been in floods of tears when she has ripped her nail too far causing it to bleed. And has vowed and solemnly promised never to do it again. But it's a habit she cannot break.

She's not biting them, she's ripping them off.
Often during story time.

Any ideas?
Thanks

[ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts]

does she enjoy story time? is it perhaps a sign of boredom, or concentration? can you give her something to hold so she has something to do with her hands to try and break the habit? one of those squeezy ball things? I've no experience of this, just a random idea. im sure someone else may have some better ideas.

[bananacarnival]

Thanks, she loves story time and concentrates well.
It's happening at other times too..

[BertieBotts]

Have you tried putting nail varnish on her? I wonder if a thick varnish would make them harder to rip which would make her notice that she's doing it (and hopefully stop??)

Clear would be better than nothing if she's not allowed to wear nail varnish at school.

[BertieBotts]

I always tear my toenails though, rather than cutting them. It's not done my toes any damage at all, I've been doing it this way for years :)

[BertieBotts]

Hmm... just another thought perhaps (again might be an issue in school?) if you could give her a little nail file and when she gets the urge to rip, she could file them instead? This would also help if she gets sharp edges which is often what starts me biting a nail (I know it's not the same)

[bananacarnival]

That's really helpful Bertie! The nail file might be the solution, she does mention something about them being sharp. Also like the idea of thick layer nail varnish.

[BertieBotts]

I suppose it's hard because of her age, at 5 they often do get lost in a little dream world and don't realise what they're doing so habits can be hard to break if they're unconscious.

If it is an issue at school perhaps you could have a word with her class teacher/TA and say that she's trying to stop doing it and if they see her doing it to gently remind her not to?

(I wasn't sure whether story time referred to bedtime story or school story time - perhaps both?)

[bananacarnival]

Bertie I just wanted to say thanks again, it seems to be working! Taught her how to file her own nails which she loved. Also put on 3 layers of nail hardening base coat. Fingers crossed. ..

[BertieBotts]

Oh good! :) Hope it continues :)

[Nidaa]

Greetings dear, i read ur thread as my son 5 yrs is also doing the same habit of tearing his nails..it sometimes becomes so deep that it takes ages to heal up..wanted to know how u overcomed this habit for ur daughter...and what should i do...im desperate..its so hard for school