Somebody help me out (kid problem)

[mhopset]

He won't stop chewing on his clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is driving me and my DW insane.

I am going to put cat poop on his sleeves and around the collars on his shirts to try and stop him

Anyone else ever have this trouble with their kids?

 

[kendall]

How old is your son?

Cat poop - don't do it! Think of something unpleasant and safer - perhaps vinegar. Heck, depending on his age, try sugarless chewing gum!

That last question is rhetorical, right? ;-)

 

[piratesmate]

Not anymore, but DD used to do this ALLLLLL the time! It drove me crazy! (Not a long journey, I realize, but still...) Absolutely nothing we did stopped her - and she was way too old for it. I think she finally stopped at around 8.

I used to feel like it was somehow my fault - something about not enough "sucking time", bonding, etc. (She was also very "clingy".) DS, on the other hand, only put things in his mouth for about 2 - 3 months. I guess they're all just different.

I hope he outgrows it soon!

Deb

 

[mhopset]

he is 6

I don't even think he knows he is doing it. We tell him to stop and he looks at us like "what are they talking about"

I wouldn't really put cat poop on his shirts. I just want him to stop

 

[aahmom1]

My son literally chewed on his winter coat until the top 3 inches of the zipper were falling off. I had to buy him a new one. I have no idea why he did that, and one day he just stopped.

 

[aahmom1]

I just noticed this on your post

1 days 15 hrs. 41 mins. 1 secs.

You could tell him you'll take him to WDW if he stops.

 

[mhopset]

He already knows he is going and can't wait. I couldn't keep quite about a thing like WDW.

I have nothing packed, DW has to work 7pm to 7am today and tomorrow. Laundry needs done. Hell I don't even know where the suitecases are? lol

 

[aahmom1]

LOL You better get busy young man!

 

[grinningghost]

When my stepson was younger he used to do this. He didn't own anything that wasn't chewed to shreds. We always thought it was really strange. We don't see him much anymore, so I'm not sure if he's kicked the habit, but it's good to know that he's not the only one.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#006400> I never heard of chewing on clothes... paper, yes, clothes? wow

When I was younger, I got into the habit of sucking on the end of my braids (gross, I know ). Nothing my parents did worked to get me to stop. Once, when we were in a local store (Whitefront - I'll never forget it), my dad got a pacifier and gave it to me, and told me that since I had this great need for sucking that he was going to give me that pacifier and I was going to have to wear it on a rope around my neck, and that he was going to write the teacher & let her know that I was not to take that off. I had to carry that stupid pacifier all around the store, and I begged my dad not to get it for me, and I promised that I would stop sucking on my hair.... Well, finally, he relented, but he told me if he ever caught me sucking on my hair we would get that pacifier and I would have to wear it around my neck.

You know - I never sucked on my hair again.

Was this cruel? Well, I never got mad at him. I was just so darned relieved that I would never have to wear that thing.

I still knew that my dad loved me and I never sucked on my hair again. So, this worked for me.

Maybe you can think of something that would really encourage your son to stop chewing on clothing.

 

[Kermit]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but my DH still sucks on his shirts. When we were in college, we took several classes together, and he always wore the same shirt on test days. It had draw strings on the neck. He'd suck on the strings during the class and gag on the strings that came loose. It was very hard to concentrate since I knew what he was doing.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

LOL!!! Now that gave me a chuckle Kermit.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Try finding something else for him to chew on. I'm serious! My kids have Sensory Integration Disorder and I've learned that some kids compensate by sucking and chewing. Look at when he is doing this. Is he trying to concentrate? Is something stressful? Or does it seem to just be all the time?

Find out what kinds of things he likes to chew on. Experiment by giving him a straw or new aquarium tubing, etc. See if he likes chewing on them. Some kids do well with chewy things like bagels or gum. Suckers, ice cubes, sports bottles and yogurt through a straw are all good for sucking activities.

Somewhere I have a list of ideas. PK me if you want me to look for more. It might be worth a try. It just might work.

 

[jipsy]

Kermit LOL!

 

[cndncruiz]

My ds is about to be six and only in the last year has he chewed on his shirts but mostly if he is relaxed. We used to make a big deal about it but once we stopped mentioning it, he stopped doing it. He even put holes in his clothes by chewing them.

DH made a bigger deal then I did, I didn't see it as a big deal really. Maybe it is just a comfort thing.

 

[bumcat]

My son is 9 and has chewed on his clothes for years and it's not just his clothes! Last year it was his shoe laces, I know, yuck. He also chews his blankets and pillow cases.
I catch him off and on chewing on his action figures but not too often. When I asked him why he chews on stuff he says he's hungry. This kid would eat 24/7 if we let him. He watches the clock and figures out a head of time when his next meal will be.
Drives me crazy but he is normal in all other areas so I finally just let it go. He also gets fed well just so you know we aren't starving him.
He falls asleep with the comforter in his mouth.

 

[Kallison]

Yep DD 8 started sucking on her shirts this year. I noticed a lot of the kids doing it, I think that is why she started. Her class picture had to be retaken, there was a big wet spot on her shirt. Finally I showed her how she ruined her favorite shirt. Even when I washed it several times the neckline was all puckered up and funny from her sucking it. That put an end to it. The hair sucking I told her I was getting her hair cut short enough so she couldn't do it and that stopped also.

As for your son, they make something for dogs called bitter apple spray! You might try a spritz of that! I know it's not the end of the world but it is so unattractive. Especially when they have been eating and their clothes get all brown and disgusting from being in their mouth.

 

[Kallison]

I wanted to add that I work in a middle school for 7th graders and I see them still doing it. Especially with the drawstrings on their sweatshirts. I tell them to stop too!

 

[Pembo]

My ds used to do that, his new thing is to sniff his hand. He does it CONSTANTLY. I'm so annoyed..............

 

[browneyes]

Have another kid, that'll solve all your problems.

My ds did that, he just finally outgrew it one day. He went from chewing on my shoulders, my fingers, his shirt, then washclothes. It's a way for them to release tension.