My 3 year old keeps flipping the world off

[atnightingale]

So my DD, nearly 4, has long tended to use her middle finger to point with. When she was younger we would gently correct, calmly asking her to use her other finger please. That worked for quite a while. Now she resists and says no when we ask her not to do it, and scowls which makes it REALLY look like she's flipping off the world. We have tried to gently explain that even tough we know it doesn't make sense, that gesture can make many people sad and others angry and its not polite to use it, so please stop. So far, no dice. This morning she told me she didn't believe me. My husband didn't help by giggling when she came in the room finger to the sky this morning. Sigh.

Ideas?

[lonegirl]

LOL my son (4 in Nov) uses the same finger
I just chuckle to myself and let it go.

[4evermom]

My ds has always pointed with that finger, too. Makes sense, it's the longest... Knowing his temperament, I never never even vaguely suggested he use another finger because I knew that would have just encouraged it. So he still points but it's pointing, not gesturing or flipping anyone off. I don't worry about it and no one has commented, either.

[AllisonR]

LOL! Sorry, I can't relate, but I just thought this thread was so funny. Must be common for kids to use this finger.

[mizzoh]

I would ignore it. She'll figure it out eventually and I think repeatedly asking her not to do it might make her want to do it more

[meemee]

Originally Posted by mizzoh

I would ignore it. She'll figure it out eventually and I think repeatedly asking her not to do it might make her want to do it more

i totally agree.

i had to post and write its the cutest thing i have heard. and i love how you worded the title.

[crowcaw]

My 4yo does it too -- started when her index finger was healing from a pretty bad crushing. It never occurred to me to correct it.

[atnightingale]

OK. I guess I'll relax about it. It's not like it's been a huge focus of ours. We ignored it forever, but... anyway. Most of the time I don't notice it, but it gets interesting when she is indiciting things on the ceiling, sky, etc. My brain just does a little cognitive stumble. And the giggling doesn't help. Glad we could make a few people smile.

[lach]

I think some people just do. I don't know if it's natural for them, or if it's learned. I remember my 8th grade math teacher always pointed at the board with his middle finger and I thought that was hilarious. But that was just how he pointed.