Help! Cutting 12 year old's toenails

[1wellywoo1]

My 12 yr old boy has always had a toenail phobia. It's a noisy battle to cut his toenails, that ends in raised voices, and me getting him in vice-like grip.

I've of course tried letting him cut his toenails himself, but he hovers the scissors above his toes and 'pretends' to cut. He can't face cutting them.

I've tried bribes, threats and everything in between since he was a toddler (I don't remember any traumatic incidents that would cause this... ) Any advice? 🙏

Soak his feet so they’re softer ?

Have you tried a toenail clipper (larger than the standard nail clippers) instead of scissors- much easier to use than scissors.

A scissor is probably a bit intimidating for a child.

How about using a nail clipper? After a hot bath when nails are soft?

A baby nail clipper is far better than any regular clippers. I’m still using one I bought before my DS was born. . He was the same as yours about nail cutting, he’s now 14 and it’s only in the last couple of years that he will let me do it without fuss. I still use the baby clippers. Obviously I only do it after he has showered and isn’t presenting stinky feet to me!

Let him do it himself with a clipper. My dd is the same. Get some lovely peppermint foot cream to smooth on afterwards too, he might welcome the distraction.

My 12 yo DS is the same - he has other sensory issues though around clothes and food/drink. He is at least starting to see the funny side of his reaction to this one and knows it has to be done. He shouts before the scissors even touch him, but we get through it. He won't try himself. I do worry what he'll do in the future.

Why are you doing toenails with scissors? That’d scare me too!

nail clippers after a bath or regular filing if he really can’t stand the clippers and it’s not too ticklish

My son is like this too be because of his autism, best to soak in warm water and choose a good time as others have said. Also distract him with something

Nail file is another alternative

Get him to watch some horrible videos of people with ingrown toenails and other horrible feet on you tube and explain why it’s so important to keep nails neat and well trimmed! (My son aged 10 actually loves watching videos like that). 🙈

Agh don't use scissors I can't bear the idea. Nail clippers would work much much better I think, it'd be a bit less scary.

Baby nail clippers are the way to go! And after a bath. They cut the nail in smaller sections so don't have that vibration feel you can get with larger clippers and not scary like scissors.