When my daughters were infants, the only way to cut their nails was while they were sleeping. This would sometimes span numerous naptimes or bedtimes, but I did it for a few years until they were able to sit through being awake for nail trimming...
Just cut a couple each day. That way it doesn't take too long and they will stay short if you make it a part of your daily routine. I cut my son's while he is watching tv but I still only get about 4 done before he is squirming so we do four a day and it keeps them short.
Good luck,
Dena
Why don't you just cut his nails when he is sleeping. In theory it would be great if we could teach our kids to tolerate necessary activities like nail-trimming but pick your battles. I cut my 2-year-olds nails when he is sleeping and I still have to cut my 8-year-old daughter's nails when she is sleeping too. It's just easier for the both of us that way!
Try when he's been asleep for 15-20 minutes. He'll be in a deep sleep at that point and won't know you're there! I've always done this for my almost-one-year-old and have had great luck with it. Hope this helps!
I have been told to cut their fingernails when they are asleep. That is what I did went my children where babies. I hope this helps you.
Gail R.
Maybe just do a couple then let him run around a minute, do a couple more, let him run around agin, etc... Or, you could try a hand game. I play a shadow puppet game where you open one hand wide so that you can see the shadow of al the fingers on the wall. My other hand I make into a "bird" where my fingers and thumb tap together (like a sock puppet). You could cut one finger and then the "bird" eat the the worm (the finger whose nail was just cut). When the bird eats the worm I fold the worm finger down. I don't know if I did such a great job explaining that? One more idea is to make him a special smoothie with a fun straw he can drink while he's getting his nails cut. He could hold it with one hand while you do the other. He only gets the special drink during nail cutting. I know it's totally a food bribe, but I think every now and then it's okay.
Good luck! I hate cutting my son's nails too!
try setting him on your lap in front of the tv with one of his favorite shows on. that will keep his mind off of what you are doing. or sit with him on your lap and sing to him a familiar song like the abc's. i have used both these techniques with all three of my children and it works. good luck!
If you give him a bath and let him go to sleep, the nails will be softer and he will be unaware.
I always waited until they were in a deep sleep. It was alot easier then for me.
Carol
Hi Nicole-
We do it when he's asleep, that's the only way he'll let us do it! Good luck!
Michelle
Do it outside so you can keep distracting him with things to look at, such as "Look at that bird!" or "Do you hear a puppy?". Also, there is no law that says you must get all 10 done at once. If you get 3 done in the morning, get 3 more done in the afternoon, and get the last 4 done tomorrow, it is ok!
Do It while he is sleeping.
Do it while he is asleep.
It sounds stupid but I usually wait until he's in bed asleep and I cut his nails then. Sometimes he still squirms even in his sleep but it gets the job done.
If he is a sound sleeper, the do it while he is asleep would be great. Mine is not. I distract him. I also agree that you don't have to get all 10 toes and all 10 fingers done at the same time. If he will only stay distracted for a few at a time, do it that way. Much better than wrestling and potentially cutting him.
Let me just say I cringed when people first told me to do this....but I must admit it works! I was informed that the easiest way was to bite your childs fingernails! TO me this seemed wrong on so many levels but I finally tried it and now it is pretty much the only we go. I usually do a little "trimming" While we are cuddling before bed time so he is already calmer then during the busiest part of the day. Hope this helps!
Try to cut 2 finger nails at a time and then tell him that you are gonna give him a little break...then come back to it about 10 minutes later. Reward him with something that he likes even after the first 2 nails - like a cookie, but break it in 1/2 or quarters and tell him that you will give him the rest of it when he gets 2 more done and so on... I always like to pretend that I am cutting my toe nails... (I have "fake" nails so I cannot cut them), but I say "Louie, watch Mom cut her toe nails. he gets really interested and then trys to cut his own - it's cute. he is 2 y/o at the end of this month. Then when I do cut his nails, I always say after ecah trim on one finger "OH Louie, you are such a big boy - GREAT JOB SWEETIE...almost done, hang in there" With this encouragment and a couple of cookies I am now able to get all 10 cut in one sitting. If the nice approach doesn't work, then get tuff. That is what I would do. Good Luch Nicole.
I have always heard people say, do it while they are sleeping. But I believe they need to learn that this is something that needs to be done. I would recommend allowing his other hand to be on your, so he feels he has some control. My 2 year old thinks he is helping. If your child is a sound sleeper and you do not wish to battle then give it a try. But eventually he will have to learn to handle it
I cut my son's mails once he was sound asleep. (This is also when I would cut his hair, one side at a time!) Now that he is a bit older, he will let me cut his nails; his job is to file them (a very fine grit block). He holds the block and waits for his turn. I of course file them a bit later if need be, but he feels "very important to help!"
Well, this is just an echo of what everyone else is saying, but ....... do it while he is asleep.
If that doesn't work for you, get an older, more experienced Mom or Grandmom to do it for you !
Kids will usually do better for someone else for some reason. I can't count how many times I have done this for others, and I really don't mind being asked to do it.