We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Yep. My situation is exactly like it sounds. In the good old ways of the Universe, and I hear some chuckling from it, I have been faced with something fierce. Abby has been biting holes in her clothes. She comes home from school with tiny holes in her tops and sometimes I catch her doing it while watching a movie at home. It’s not intentional and the doesn’t even know shes doing it. While I wish she would just be one of those kids that twirls her hair when anxious or deep in thought. I know that she has always been orally fixated and we fought long and hard to take that pacifier away long into her toddler years.
Exhibit A. This isn’t even the half of it. Please take a moment of silence.
But, like anything this phase will pass. In the meantime some friends recommended that we give her an alternative to her clothes. I grabbed her a couple Junior Chewbead necklaces. Mostly they just hang there and look cute but I have seen her twiddle them and put them in her mouth once or twice. I think the main thing is that she feels stronger over it now and the last thing that I want her to feel is shameful. And I really hope that I don’t see another hole again. Seriously. I don’t care if it’s Matilda Jane or Circo clothing but I hate to see something get ruined so fast!
Does your child have a similar sensory issue? Any other go-to thing that they do when in deep thought or anxious? One thing that we have never had here are nail biting or thumb sucking so I guess it could be worse. Or could it?
My youngest bites his comforter and blankets when he is tired. Bites. Weird. No holes, but he definitely does it.
My son it 11 and still does it! necklines and sleeves all have tiny holes. I got him a bunch on those “Live Strong” type braclets and he chews on those too, but doesnt ever realize he is doing it. Gum has helped now that they allow it in middle school…
From about 2nd through 5th grade every.single.one of my oldest son’s long sleeve shirts had little holes from him pulling the sleeve over his hand and chewing on the cuff and wrist area. We tried to discourage it, but honestly just ended up waiting the stage out. By middle school he decided he preferred to wear short-sleeve graphic tees (even in the middle of winter), so that resolved itself. For a while I kept an entire bin full of outgrown Hanna Andersson striped tees (his shirt of choice) that were in great condition other than the wrist holes. Realizing I probably wouldn’t pass them down to his little brother with the chew-holes I finally donated them all. I don’t want to even think about the fact that all those high-quality shirts (that can usually be handed down multiple times) were very likely thrown away.
Ok I did the same when I was young. I didn’t actually chew holes but I chew and suck on my clothes. This will sound strange but I like the taste if the detergent. I would do when I was bored or watched tv . I was missing something in my diet. I grew out of it.
I’d suggest that you make something out of fabric and hangs like a necklace. she’s more likely to use it if it’s a similar material. those beads are big and hard and won’t feel the same to her.
Try googling “chewelry” for different textures and styles of necklaces. I think that wristbands might be great too. we’ve used those before! they are pretty stylish and will give that same feel without destroying the clothes.