Whether it’s nose-picking, nail-biting, or lip chewing — almost all children develop a less-than-pleasant habit at some point. These habits are often the child’s attempt at self-soothing to ease tension, anxiety, or boredom.
Whatever the reason, even the most laid back of parents can become irritated at these behaviors and resort to scolding, punishing, and even shaming their child to put a stop to it.
However, if this behavior is dealt with negatively, it could hurt your child’s self-esteem and leave them feeling resentful and discouraged.