trimming nails
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| Tue, 04-18-2006 - 2:56pm |
Trimming nails has always been a problem with both kids at our house. I'm sure it is with many of yours too. Lately its gotten better with ds but with dd its gotten over the top worse. Dd hasn't let me trim her toe nails (she'll let me do her fingernails) forever. I'm afraid her nails on her big toes are going to break back. And the others grow down and are about to grow into her skin. Last night I tried to get her to let me trim them and it turned into a big deal with her ending up locking herself in my bedroom when I went for re-inforcements (dh). She says it hurts and she just can't do it. Any suggestions? I don't want to pay for a doctor visit to have her nails trimmed but I'm afraid its going to come to that.
Samantha
Oh, and for ds...he is 11yrs old now and I'd like it if he could learn to trim his own nails. The problem is he doesn't have the hand strength to do it. Are there special clippers that would make it easier? I told him last night he should invent automatic nail clippers or when he's grown he'll have to make himself an appointment for a manicure everytime he needs his nails trimmed.

Samantha,
For your son: I used to be a practicing nail tech. Here's my suggestion. If you have a Sally's Beauty Supply get some acrylic nippers. I actually used them to clip toenails that were especially thick. The handles are shaped kind of like a pair of pliers and they will be sharper than the average nail clippers. If you can't find a Sally's or something comparable try using toenail clippers instead of fingernail clippers. They are larger, easier to hold, and have more torque for clipping.
For your daugher: bribery??? I'm not above giving a special treat or little toy for something that is especially difficult until they master it. I would try to find the best position for her, like maybe on the kitchen countertop where her feet will be higher and you won't have to contort (and neither will she) to get to them. Can you find something to occupy her hands and distract her while you are working on her feet?
Kelly
Thanks Kelly, I'll look for those.
Samantha
Samantha
"It hurts" how? Does the clippers stick into her toe? Does she hate the feel of the nail bending or contorting? Is it that sensitivity you get on the tips of your toes if you cut the nails too short?
The first two may be answered by getting that professional trimmer which was mentioned easrlier. It works more like a little scissors, and should be less impactful, distort the nail less, and give you more control.
The last solution is easier: don't trim off too much!
I HTH
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
How old is your daughter? Can she cut her nails herself? I learned this with my son. I could not get him to take medicine for anything. I finally gave him the control....I measured up the liquid meds and handed him the "shooter" (medicine syringe)....that way he shot in his mouth a little at a time or all of it at once. I did the same with the nail clippers.....I demonstrated on myself and helped him clip his own nails.
It worked for us.....don't know if it will work for you...just my $0.02....good luck!
Christie