Thanks,
Helpless
Dear Helpless,
I suspect that your daughter is cautious because you are. As for what is stressing her to the point of nailbiting, this could be anything, but I'll bet you have guessed right. It very likely is stress. Just because you think there is no stress in her life, that doesn't mean there isn't any. We seldom can see what stresses other people.
I'l bet that just worrying about biting her nails is a stress for her. You could stop complaining about her nails, or scolding her, and never even mention nails except to remark if she can manage to let them grow a bit. Since you are one of the lucky mothers who is home with your child full time you might try diverting her every time you see her beginning to bring her hand, or her toes, to her mouth. Hold her hand and walk somewhere - keep her socks on, get her some little cotton gloves too, and praise her when you see her nails growing to a decent length, like yours.
Whatever she is very cautious about might be making her nervous. Perhaps you can find ways to ease her mine about these things. Never draw attention to her nailbiting when anyone else is around, or even mention it. I know there is bad tasting "medicine" you can get at the drug store that is made for the very purpose of discouraging children from nail biting. You could paint her nails with this - alk the pharmacist - it's harmless and works. But be sure that you and your daughter talk it over before you put it on her nails. In face, ask her to paint it on herself - so she knows it is not a punishment, just a help towards beautiful hands.
As you have probably been told, nailbiting comes in stages. I hope your child will grow out of it and not take it up later. But I agree with the people who say it is stress related. It is. But also it is habit forming and if you can break the cycle - the stress might vanish too. Good luck.
Yours sincerely, GG