FURIOUS with toddler tantrum about having nails cut!

[morerogermore]

I've just wrestled my 2 year old round the floor trying to cut her nails and she screamed like I was trying to cut her toes off. I'm so angry about this now. She's never let me do it and so I always have to file them, which she still hates. But she looks like she's almost getting ingrowing toenails! Nothing will coerce her - I've tried everything. I just had to wrap her in a blanket and try to get a few.

I feel so angry! She'll end up in the Drs with ingrowing toenails at this rate.

Please help me.

My DD was the same- have you tried suggesting painting her toes pretty colours if she lets you cut them? Or doing yours in front of her so she sees it's not so bad?

Why angry? Do you think that's really going to help her overcome her fear?

What do you use to cut them?

She probably is frightened you are going to cut her toes off - that is how toddlers' brains work.

I would just keep filing them if she really has developed a terror about it.
Turning it into a physical fight won't work.

do you use clippers or scissors?

DD2 hates having her nails cut but copes much better with clippers, I think they look less likely to cut of her toes.

You are angry? with who?

Frustrated! I'm sure you guys are perfect mums who never feel that, but I do regularly! It's very frustrating not being able to keep your child in good health. I've tried everything!

Being furious isn't going to help. Distraction. Doing it in their sleep. Bribery and when older nail polish as a lure.

My dd is like this still at age 4. I have to wait til she is asleep. She has a real fear of it for some reason. She is fine with fingers but screams blue murder if I even look at her toes.

But who are you furious/angry with? And why are you turning on MNers?

Yeah, I agree - being angry and wrestling her isn't going to help! I second doing it whilst asleep.

But I wouldn't worry too much. Not everyone will get ingrown toenails. It's different to just long nails IYSWIM.

morerogermore

You sound disproportionately furious. I don't think anyone who has replied to you is claiming to be perfect. You asked for help, and we are trying to be helpful.

It is normal for a 2 year old to object to things like toenail cutting, hair washing etc. People are just offering suggestions.

Oh for god's sake DiaDuit. I thought this was a site where you could vent parenting frustrations and get advice. What's the point in taking the piss out of me? I'm obviously a mum having a hard morning. I won't be posting on here again.

Thanks for those who gave useful suggestions, I will try the asleep thing. It's helpful to know other people's kids are the same.

It is frustrating, I agree.
But 3littlefrogs is right, she probably is scared about losing her toes!
Try not to let her feel your frustration, just try again when she is asleep- it does get better!

I do them when my DS is sleeping.

Yep. Perfect mum here. With perfectly obedient kids

DS can be the same (he's 2) and sometimes I think I'll need an anglegrinder to cut them. I've found the best time to do it is after the bath, when they're a bit softer and easier to cut, and he's more relaxed. I give him a book or a video on my phone to distract him and if need be, just do the worst ones. If he starts getting upset I stop and do the others the next night. DH used to get ingrown toenails, so I don't want to have that happen.

It's okay moreroger - you are indeed obviously having a hard morning (haven't we all?). Don't be put off posting again, just be aware that not everybody will read things as you meant them.

Also it is best to cut them after a bath-the nails are softer.

My dc's are the same-my sympathies op

Where have i taken the piss out of you OP? I asked who you were furious at and why you were turning on Mner?

Very clear you are not in a rational state of mind and you need to calm down a fair bit. Perhaps in future take some deep breaths before posting as people can only respond to what you post.

Yes - I agree with bribery, small clippers and one or two nails every couple of days.

morerogermore

You sound really angry with your dd.
Is there more to this than just the nail cutting?

2 year olds are hard work, but everything is a phase - it does pass.

I used to wrestle DD but it didn't get me anywhere. The next time I tried, I would stop as soon as she started kicking off- then gradually she'd let me do one toe..two toes the next time. It was a slow process but you'll get there in the end!

And i'm not the only one who has pointed out your anger so not sure why i'm being singled out.

Op I feel your pain mine are like this.

Step back a bit and calm down. Yes, it is frustrating when people (of any age) won't co-operate with doing what you think is best for them! I know, believe me.

I also recognise that I can't foist my 'I know best' (one of my many faults!) solutions on unwilling participants, and the fallout from over-coercing is much more damaging than drawing back and letting things be sometimes. Just carry on filing, if her nails get long.

I have to make a confession with regard to cutting dcs' toenails. It's one of those thing that I've kind of overlooked. It's certainly not something I've ever done regularly , but on the occasions that I have examined them, they always look normal, so I am at a loss to know what happens in between times!