Hi Moms -
My two-almost-three year old gets very, very upset and anxious whenever I clip his toenails. It has become a two-person job - my husband has to hold him in order for me to clip the nails. My son doesn't have the same problem with fingernails, and I can't think of anything in the past that would have traumatized him to this extent. Is this a common issue? If so, how have you dealt with it? Thanks!
Thanks, moms, for the advice and the laughs. Incidentally, after I posted this, I got a pedicure. And I'll tell you, having someone else clip your toe nails is a little anxiety producing - each time the manicurist positioned the clippers, it felt like the she was going to clip too close to the quick, even though she never did. I think I have a better understanding of his anxiety - it's a weird feeling that he can't distinguish from an actual danger.
My son is 3 and a half and I have NEVER cut his nails while he was awake! Wait until he's sleeping good and THEN cut them (just 1 or 2 at a time so you don't wake him up!)
i do mine while he us sleeping,lol.
Maybe just try filing them then. That worked for my youngest for a while until she got up the guts to let us use the clipper. Good luck!
Sometimes it helps to have a toenail-clipping party. Let him watch everyone having fun clipping toenails and let him get jealous of the attention. Take turns clipping your husband's toenails and him clipping yours. Make sure that he "isn't allowed" to join the party, because he's too little. Reluctantly change your mind when he gets insistent.
If the idea of toenail polish on your little boy doesn't freak you out, you can also invite some 6-9 year old girls to do a pedicure party. My oldest girls have done a lot of toenail cutting for my little ones, followed by toenail polish. My son loved the attention and thought sparkly purple toenails were pretty cool.
Good luck!
Holy cow--your question reminded me EXACTLY of the days where it took both of us to restrain & clip my son's toenails. He would scream and cry to the point where I thought CPS was going to be called!
I got really good at handling a small flashlight and nail clippers while he was sleeping!
I waited for him to fall asleep. But eventually I found doing one at time. Just one. Then let him go about his business. Then we try two. Freaken awesome when he started his own!
Great advice here. He may enjoy a good foot soak with epsom salt while you read him his favorite book. After the book, dry his feet and clip one or two nails. They are so easy to do after a soak. Best of luck.
My son 2 1/2 is the same way when it come's to clipping his toe nails he bite's his finger nails. but i get him to relax and tell him that if he sits still and lets mommy cut them i will give him a snack. It usaully works give it to him while you cut them it usaully keeps them still enough to do the job.
My son (now 3) used to fuss a little when it came time to cut nails (toe or finger). I didn't give in to his whines. I gave him a choice "Mom do it or Dad do it." I have always tried to give him choices for a lot of things "One book or two books? Peas or carrots? Water or Milk?" So for me to say "Mom or Dad" was not a big deal. He knew he had to pick one.
Hi there,
My daughter will NOT let me use a nail clippers. She will only let me file them. I have no idea why. I used to clip them with the baby clippers when she was younger, there was NEVER a time where I hurt her. But she will freak out if I tell her I'm going to cut them. My 10 mo old baby doesn't like it either, and will sit long enough for me to file them but not clip them. For some reason, my baby doesn't even like her hands to be touched or held. If I try to hold her hand she will yank her hand away.......it's like her hands are sensitive, it's really weird.
Good luck!
I have the same problem with my two year old. He will sit through his finger nails getting cut but will not let me touch his feet! Guess we have to wait until they are sleeping then do it. Haha good luck!
Sorry I laughed when I read this because I have the same issue and it drives me bonkers. My daughter (20 months) has always had an issue with me clipping her nails both fingers and toes and just recently I have been able to get her to let me do her hands but NEVER her toes. Because she fights me so much I guess the last time I was able to get near her I must have cut her big toenail a bit short and she developed an ingrown toenail (Hell BTW) and now she freaks out if I even ask if I can cut her toenails. We have always called it the gobbler and she will even ask sometimes if I can gobble gobble her fingers but if you even suggest touching her 'toe toes' she loses it. Many Moms have suggested that I try doing it in her sleep with a flashlight. At this point I think its my best bet because shes taking a true stance about me not coming near her feet. Uggg such a Drama Queen LOL =)
Good Luck
I actually use nail scissors because he doesn't like the "clipping" sound. Filing might work, or do it in his sleep.
Clip when he sleeps, I had to do that when my kid was little. Good luck.
