My 6 year old daughter still sucks her thumb - how do I get her to stop?

Question

Her teeth are starting to be shaped like an arch, and she says her the letter S like "TH". It's mostly when she's tired or upset, but sometimes I'll catch her doing it when I pick her up from school. How can I get her to stop without putting any bad tasting stuff on her thumb?

Answer 1

Childrens are afraid of scary things right?

Make out something from your comp some scary stuff assuming what happens when people do that... what types of germs and what'll they do... u noe? Try checking out this website, maybe this'll help, it has scary pics and videos of u noe.. go through it.... Then make up a story of bad germs if we don't wash our hands, or when our saliva dried up after doing then this is the type of germs it forms into.. well, make up one.. hope you good luck!

http://tinyurl.com/5hpupg

Answer 2

I would make sure she's not tired and upset a lot, so I'd put her to bed early, and if she ever starts to cry, comfort her, but take her thumb out of her mouth if she starts! In most cases, you can re-teach kids to say S with out saying SH, but practicing with her. Give her treats like candy, and taking her out somewhere fun, and tell her that if she doesn't suck her thumb, you'll give her candy...or I'll take you to the park later! Also, scaring them is mean...but it works!! Say that if she doesn't stop sucking her thumb, it's going to fall off...or you'll turn into a duck. It sounds dumb, but most kids listen, and are cautious about that!

Answer 3

I used to work in a day care and we were told that constant repetition of no may work. If that does not work we offered alternatives like lolly pops and things like that. It is pretty tricky. Good luck.

Answer 4

My mom got me to stop sucking my thumb by telling me that if I went a week without doing it that I'd get to buy some nail polish and paint my nails.  That was a big deal for me at that age, and it worked.  She said I technically still did it at night while I slept, but that's not really something I could control.  From what I understand, I quit the habit pretty quickly b/c of the incentive.

Answer 5

I sucked my thumb until the summer after 1st grade.  Here's how my parents got me to quit:  My dad paid me a dime for every 24-hour period that I was able to keep my thumb out of my mouth.  I mostly sucked it at night, so if I could make it all day and then all night without it, he'd leave a dime on my dresser for me.  It took a while, but those pretty dimes were quite an incentive.  This was back in the 70's, so I'm sure the going rate's gone up since then! :)  It's worth a try!

Answer 6

The shape of her mouth is thanks to genetics not her thumb.  

Answer 7

i think the only way you can stop her by putting bad tasting stuff on her thumb! try using nail polish remove dont use anything to horrible like chilli powder. try things that they usually use for nose but on her thumb instead

Answer 8

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=stop+th...

Answer 9

easy! it worked for my baby sis, cactus juce! its long lasting and tastes sh*t !!!!! she stopped in 3 days!

-hope i helped x*x

Answer 10

Put hot sauce on her thumb, or something bitter. She'll stop as soon as possible :)

EDIT:

Oops, you said not to put anything on her thumb.

It is the best option though.

Ask her teacher if she's doing it during the day. If the teacher says no, reward your daughter. If she says yes, tell her what she's done wrong, and that she doesn't get a reward.