@ How do I get my kid to not eat play dough?

Obsession

It is about to drive me crazy and his poop is psychedelic.

He just turned four so he should know better right?  I took a bite to see why he is so into it and it tastes awful.   I have no idea why he wants to eat it.

Please don't suggest taking it away from him.  I can't do that.  Thanks!

mommyof2reyes

Most people say they will grow out of it in time. You can start making an edible version that is ok for them until he starts to get tired of it. Do you make a big deal of it when he eats it? I know when I get mad at something my kids do and I yell they keep doing it. When I pay no attention to what they are doing, they get bored and stop. Hope you find something that helps.

{http://www.ehow.com/how_2256915_make-jello-plydough.html}

NCV2

I would make it as well.  Kids eat weird stuff.  

I would also talk to him about things we eat and things we don't eat.  In the meantime go with the homemade stuff.  

kelly321

DD takes used Kleenex out of the trash, tears them up, and eats them. I think I'd prefer she eat play dough ;-) No, seriously, though, making edible stuff until he gets that he's not supposed to eat it sounds like a good idea.

allibally

You should make some salt dough. That taste should throw him off a bit. Along with emphasis on what is food and what is not.

The Irish Gal

Mix a flavour into it that he doesn't like... Tabasco sauce maybe?

gblake

Hahahaha, Tabsco sauce! Good suggestion,Irish gal. I have no suggestions here. Our DS likes to eat lotion and deodorant. I don't know how many days I've spent hiding these items and sternly telling him we don't eat lotion or deodorant.

kelly321

The Irish Gal:

Mix a flavour into it that he doesn't like... Tabasco sauce maybe?

A friend's stepdaughter had foul language issues when she was younger, and the social worker (complicated family situation) told them to never use soap to wash out kid's mouths. It's considered child abuse because it's not edible. Her suggestion? Use tabasco sauce or any other kind of spicy sauce  Since it's edible, it's not considered child abuse, apparently...

Anyway, that's not really an answer to the original topic, but it's the first thing that sprang to my mind when I read Tabasco sauce.

gblake

There was Dr. phil show where a mother punished her child by putting hot sauce in his mouth and making him drink it. I believe she was convicted of child abuse. I think making your child drink it as a form of punishment would be and should be considered as child abuse.

The Irish Gal

I think there was even an episode of Super Nanny (US version) and the dad used to force tabasco sauce onto the tongue of a kid if they didn't tidy away their toys!

I'm not suggesting putting it in the mouth, more just as a deterrent in the play dough... or if it was me and something tasted of cherry there is not a chance I would put it in my mouth!  

gblake

No I knew what you meant.

hamilton.ja

Does he have a sensory processing disorder? OT is good for stuff like that and if he wants to chew you can offer him other, more appropriate, things to chew on instead. Bruce has some chew jewelry and some other items specifically to chew on.