DS wont let me cut his toenails-help!

[Evilstepmum01]

my wee DS is 4 and like me, does not like his feet being touched. It's never been easy chopping his toenails but in the past he's accepted it without too much fuss.
Recently, he's got much worse until a few weeks ago, my DH lost his patience with him and dragged him into the bathroom to try and just clip them.
I went apeshit at DH as he upset DS, so unfortunately we've made this problem worse.
Now I cant get near his feet, even tried when he's sleeping with my headtorch!
I've tried bribery with his fave marshmallows and have been very patient but they're like claws and need a trim. I've never hurt him or nicked a toe.
Managed to do both big toes, its the rest he cant stay still for and cries and squirms.
Any advice or ideas? All I've got planned is to sit and gently touch his feet with the scissors and eventually sneak a snip or two.
I hate seeing him get so upset.

We used to wait until DS was asleep at night then cut them!

Your DH grabbed and dragged a child to the bathroom? Why aren't you dealing with THAT?!

Your DC clearly is frightened and isn't letting you near his feet because of that!

My daughter went through this stage at about 3 years old so I sympathise. I kept envisaging that awful pic I once saw of someone in the Guinness Book of records with really long curled nails, gross!
Try doing it when he's asleep. I found using scissors instead of clippers was easier for me and more gentle. Or could you try filing them if he desperately won't let you do clippers?

Sorry I just saw you tried it when he's sleeping
Could you do your toes with him watching to try & normalise it?Maybe even offer to paint his cool colours ( my 4 year old DS loves having a few painted of my daughter is having hers done!)

Cheers talon he did not grab him and I did deal with THAT. Helpful, thanks.

I use baby scissors, much easier! I've tried the nighttime trim, but he keeps pulling his feet away and as I persist, he starts to wake up so I stop! Maybe I need better ninja skills!

Newbie you're a genius!! I did paint his toenails a few months ago and part of painting them was he'd need them trimmed first! He let me do them then!
Brilliant! Thanks! I'll dig out my nail varnish and have a painting session later! I'll see if I can get him to do my feet too!

OP you said he dragged him to the bathroom...

Use clippers instead of scissors. Quicker and less likely to nick the skin.

Could he be afraid of scissors? We drum it into kids that they are sharp and not to be touched, yet take them to hands and feet. Kids may not understand this!

I did say that talon. He did not grab. He lost his patience as parents do sometimes.

Tried clippers, not sure if its because they're cold, but he dislikes them also. That is a good point about scissors, though he likes cutting up paper with his safety scissors!

Might see if i can find some gentle, non-metal clippers. Thanks!

I suggest as many colours as he has toenails. He's in charge of which colour goes where. Good luck!

How are his fine motor skills? Can he try to cut his own using round ended scissors, with you watching closely and advising?

Could you cut his nails as part of a bathing routine. His nails will be softer then so easier to do.

Had this with DD. I used to do it whilst she was asleep but she had to be out cold.

Eventually, we bribed her with every nice thing under the sun and shoved chocolate in her mouth repeatedly until I had done one. When she realised it didn't hurt, she was fine. Now, she only lets me do it and it's still a little bit of a fuss but that's better than nothing.

FWIW, I do understand your DH's frustration. Young children are incredibly infuriating but doesn't excuse his response. Probably made the situation worse.

It's just non negotiable. Same as tooth brushing. Peppa and bribery works here. I definitely wouldn't be using head torches in the night. Dragging to the bathroom is better than that!

My dd was very ticklish and didn't like me holding her feet whilst I did her nails. I have found that by wrapping a sock around her foot and holding onto that whilst leaving her toes exposed she is happy to sit and have them done.

At 4 let him do it himself after a bath when they are soft.
Or he could bite them like my DS

In front of TV? Mine would probably tolerate trepanning as long as the box is on

Thanks everyone! We're sitting watching zootropolis ready to paint his nails but I told him he had to cut his nails first. We used to do it after his bath, but it's too much drama. He's played with the scissors, we've used blanky to hold his feet. Feel I've tried everything but his behaviour became unacceptable so he's in his room in a time out.
Think I'll have to ask my childminder to help do them.
Getting silly now.

Couldn't work out why I never had to cut DD2's finger or toenails (she's 2) and then realised she was getting her sister to bite them off for her. At bed time she sticks her feet out of her cot, says 'sister! My feet' imperiously and DD1 bites off the nails. It's so gross.