Nail cutting

[turquoise50]

Weird question, but just wondering what is an appropriate age for a child to start cutting their own nails (fingers and toes)?

DS will be 11 in seven weeks' time and still insists on me doing it for him. I think it's time he had a go at doing it himself, but he's got a bit of a phobia about knives and scissors ever since an unfortunate incident in a Year 4 cookery class, and HATES having his toenails cut especially, always saying I'm 'cutting him' when I'm obviously not (!!), it's just the point of the scissors digging slightly into the flesh at the corners.

I've tried to suggest that if he did it himself (with my supervision, at least at first) he'd find it less distressing because he'd be in control of where the scissors went, the amount of pressure etc, but he just point blank refuses. He won't even attempt his fingernails.

So far I haven't pushed but just mention it occasionally, but he's going to have to do it at some point and I don't know how to convince him! Should I try harder and insist he learns how to do it, or just wait until he naturally reaches a point where he feels too 'teenage' for me to be doing such a thing for him, and takes the initiative himself? Can't help feeling this will be years away though!

I've tried hard to remember how old I was when I started doing it, but have drawn a blank, and anyone else I've asked seems to have the same issue!

[sleepismysuperpower1]

might be worth trying nail clippers instead of scissors? they might look less intimidating x

[turquoise50]

@sleepismysuperpower1 Thought of that and we do have some, but IMO they're trickier to get the hang of, and sometimes it's hard to see exactly what you're cutting, so more danger of injury with those!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I honestly can't remember, my youngest is 12 and I haven't cut hers in years.

[SuperSleepyBaby]

I think a nail clippers is much easier for them to use. I make my 10 year old son do one or two of his nails himself and I do the rest, for now. He hates doing them but I am gradually increasing the amount he does. My 7 year old does all his own nails himself with the clippers.

[Pipandmum]

Nail clippers are much easier and safer. I think my kids started doing their own well before ten. In fact I can't really remember doing it past age 7 or 8.

[Wannabeeme]

My 10 year old does her own with clippers. It about the only thing she does for herself I still have to wash, dry and tie up her hair.

[Oblomov20]

I still do both my boys. My older teen aswell. Is that bad?

[PhantomErik]

I still do all my DC's nails, they're 11, 9 & 7.

whispers I still do their teeth as well. The 11 & 9 yr old can do their own but our dentist said for me to carry on until they're in secondary school so we have.

[Mytimetogo]

I haven't cut any of mine for at least 3 years and the youngest is 10!