On 10/18/09, Counselor in NJ wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have an 8th grader who sucks her thumb in class. When I
> call her mother to inquire about this situation, she said
> that her daughter sucks her thumb at home but didnt think
> she did this at school. I do not know if this has happened
> in previous years because this has just been brought to my
> attention this year. When I questioned the student about
> the thumb sucking she said it was just a bad habit. I spoke
> to her about this habit and let her know that she could be
> digesting a lot of germs and spreading them as well through
> her saliva. We drew on her thumb to remind her not to suck
> on it. Any other suggestions????

Your school must be a wonderful place and/or have wonderful
kids in it - we had a 6th grader here who sucked her thumb
and no other student said a word to her. She gave it up on
her own in 7th. I actually think the transition to middle
school felt hard and she comforted herself with her old
habit. That your 8th graders haven't picked on this girl is
wonderful and it speaks so well of your school.

We don't really digest germs... though largely it's an
unsanitary habit. I'd give her something else to do - a small
something to hold and squeeze or rub on her face - a koosh
ball comes to mind - she can't very well carry around a
stuffed animal. A soft eraser, a hankerchief. She needs to
feel something in her hand and near but not in her mouth-
it's hard to go cold turkey on such habits.

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