My 8 year old son has a chewing problem. He has now pulverized one of the sleeves to the sweatshirt that he got for Christmas--it's only 2 months old. He has chewed on the cuff so severely that literally 1/3 of it is now not there anymore. On the day he demolished it, he came home from school with it soaking in spit, about 8 inches worth of fabric. Chunks of the fabric missing (although he says he didn't swallow the fibers). A NEW jacket!
I think it's completely disgusting, and am frustrated that if he's not busy losing the jacket (he lost 2 last fall), that he's busy chewing it to shreds. It's not just cloth though...he has been chewing a lot on paper lately too, and is also partial to scraps of plastic. I don't believe the problem is in swallowing such things as much as it is just the need to chew all the time (kind of like someone who bites their nails anytime they're nervous).
How should I approach this problem? It makes me bewildered!
Hi there, I have a son 7 now and he did the same thing. When he was 4-6 he chewed his clothes and we would replace them b/c they looked so bad. I told him he wasn't getting any new clothes b/c he didn't take care of the ones he had. I told him he would just have to wear them! With in a month he stopped chewing. He hasn't done it since. I don't know why he did it, maybe nervous or excited no answer....good luck
There were good responses here, and I especially agree w/ seeing your son's pediatrician. I think that should be your fist stop- let your doctor decide what kind of issue this is before you get confused with what it might be.
I think that if a child destroys/damages something they should replace it.
An 8 yr old may have money to replace something like a jacket, but he could help earn the money to replace it by doing some extra chores around the house.
My son is 12, and about six months ago chewed the ends of his gloves used for sparring in karate class to bits. We have 4 kids in karate right now, and all the gear for 4 is pretty expensive. When he showed me the sparring gear and said he needed some new- I let him know that since he chewed it, he will buy the replacement. I have found that my kids (ages 18 to 11) respect things that they have purchased with their own money much more than what was given to them.
It was not until he won a gift certificate at Christmas time for 100$ of any karate products, that he was able to replace ALL of his gear. I think he will take better care of it now.
When sparring season started a month ago, I let all my kids know that if they could not find their protective gear that we had purchased last year, (mouthgaurds, cups, etc.- which we were constantly replacing because they lost it!)I told them I would take them to the store and they would be buying their own with their own money. So far, so good!
I have found that holding my kids responsible for their actions helps them to correct their behavior faster than anything I have tried.
My kindergartener went through a chewing phase of her hair and clothing four months ago. Her long sleeves looked as though a huge rat gnawed on them. First we had the talk that didn't work. So, I changed her to layers of a short sleeve shirt with a sweater that would get too warm and ungnawable during class. She wore a jacket to and from school because of the cold months. She begged for long sleeves but I reminded her she didn't have anymore long sleeved shirts. After two weeks of layers without lecture I returned her to long sleeve shirts saying I bought special new shirts(thriftstore)because she hadn't been chewing her clothes. After a week of no holes I took her out to a special lunch of her choice. Luckily it worked and we have no more issues. She loves wearing long sleeves still and no more rat holes.
I do remember that when I was young I chewed my hair, paper, erasers, etc... But it was because I was nervous about school. As I got older I got more confident. Try the simple route first, but if medical attention seems right then go for it.
Sounds like Pica to me also. If it was just the shirt/jacket I'd think maybe a sensory issue. Because platic, etc. is a factor I think you need to start with an appointment to your pediatrician.
C. WAHM to 4 y/o virtual twins
Owner: www.BeHappierAtHome.com
Either make him pay for it or punish him enough to where he wants to stop because the punishment is bad enough.
My first response is that your son has a heavy metal toxicity. There are natural ways to get rid of heavy metal like fresh cilantro. But a lot of kids don't like the taste. You can get heavy metal cleanses at your local health foods stores or you could take him to a Naturopath for more testing.
Does he have mercury/ silver fillings? If so, there is your heavy metal poisoning. Don't listen to your dentist who says they are fine! Have them removed by a mercury free dentist ONLY!
Fillings contain 50% mercury the most toxic metal on the planet! Causes brain damage! Get rid of them! Best thing I did for my health. If you have them, your kids probably have some heavy metals from when you carried them in the womb.
Do some research. My mercury free dentist is Dr S. David Buck in Seattle, he is great!
Maybe you could spray the sleeves with something that doesn't taste very good and then he won't chew on it.
I think there's a disorder where people eat non-food items. You should research online...
"To rule out the chance of this being a pica, a visit to the doctor might be in order to check a lead level and blood count. I suspect this is behavioral in nature and that a good pediatric behavioral specialist could be of great help. Here is a handout on a technique called habit reversal that may be of help."
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pediatrics-1429/7-Year-Old-Son...
Hope this helps
Hi J.,
It sounds to me like he has a mineral deficiency - not
unlike pika. I have spent a lot of years studying this.
I'm not sure what mineral, probably several, we are all
deficient in minerals, his has just gotten more obvious.
I had a personal experience with this so I know how quick
it can stop. I was having terrible periods, probably over
a year. I ended up needing a blood transfusion. I had
been chewing ice like a maniac for that whole year before.
The minute I was not anemic any longing - I quit chewing
ice. Can't stand it now.
I can suggest some great tasting minerals - liquid form, easy to take and enjoyable. It also comes as an Incredibly Healthy energy drink. (This is brand new).
Let me know if you are interested. K. Y
My daughter did this exact same thing when she was 8. Her teacher (thankfully) asked the school occupational therapist about it and got some great advice that worked perfectly. Believe it or not, she said to let Lindsey chew SOUR gum! Whenever she was caught chewing,(hair, shirt, pencils-whatever) to replace it with SOUR gum. Within one-two weeks, no more chewing! I was so grateful! I don't know how or why it works but it did. Try it! Good Luck!
My son did that, too! I got so fed up! It is kinda like chewing your nails, but its a little more destructive. Eventually he grew out of it. Not sure if it was my refusal to replace his gnawed up shirts or my nagging that did it. I also refused to be embarrassed by his appearance. If any one asked, and they did!, I told them he chewed his clothes up. Maybe he eventually got embarrassed enough? Maybe, but he doesn't do it much anymore. Good Luck!
