Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Cutting child’s nails

(20 Posts)
nannafizz Sat 03-Apr-21 11:44:17

My GS aged 7 refuses to cut his nails . My daughter has tried everything , including trying while he’s asleep - he always wakes up , and letting him do it himself - he won’t! My question is , has anyone had experience of electric nail cutters? I casually (?) showed him some on my phone & he said he wanted some . However the reviews on some cheaper ones aren’t good . The ones that look better are expensive, which I don’t mind as long as they work! I feel if I buy them & they don’t work well it will be yet something else that’s discarded in this long sorry saga! If they do work however it would be amazing .

B9exchange Sat 03-Apr-21 12:09:45

Why not buy them and try, since he is interested. If you order from Amazon and they don't work, then you can send them back for a refund. But do ask the parents first!

cornishpatsy Sat 03-Apr-21 12:36:00

I think the parents should just take control and tell him he is having his nails cut and then do it. What if he decides he does not want to brush his teeth or shower or get dressed. Parents need to be in charge ready for serious issues when the child is older.

timetogo2016 Sat 03-Apr-21 12:39:29

B9exchange has hit the nail on the head.

geekesse Sat 03-Apr-21 12:59:37

Assuming he doesn’t have autism, this is just brattish behaviour which needs controlling by sensible parents. Children with autism are a different matter - they may have issues about body, touch and sensory effects, which may need some sort of behavioural support.

Liz46 Sat 03-Apr-21 13:05:56

File them?

MerylStreep Sat 03-Apr-21 13:09:17

This is the type I use for acrylic nails. They can be used as hard or soft as you want.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Manicure-Pedicure-Nail-Art-Beauty-Care-File-Polish-Drill-Tool-Kit-Set/373028220515?epid=14037905360&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item56da36ee63:g:TrYAAOSwPStegdvw&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%252Fn%252BzU5L90Z278x5ickk8ihYa55VeJusc0Ydu6jngxQjUxhn8SLah7BTcVOtdjDlV7i73PGw1ZipjvyMPiEdxVdVCP7CZco5phGQOxVFA7NjLSkBw0c4Va1Uas3LkVcfXAL0tEl5Ss%252F9X5aATAf2bUG8i0T5X04jq6HB2de3bK8JIQTdzT3jRV9PPPQLYrvhWNv2D4bz%252BQsC93ovhR5a2jiVrDA2%252FWo8kEvFNi85qWhLMcI3VIvlJJObZvxjJDXWlDrH9IJgd4G%252FnV8h%252BYht5T1k4rKNf6bY9ysVhSxzttlliswsbNDPPmRjUyudAHV4SlX%252BiW4%252F37Ic4814vilim9EEG6WLPQeoqAGl6ca7LD1wXNEnRbEZFxa29QwcRBbMY3Y1UEytcl9nlu8MCOYpi0EM16kjsubNSTjAeXz2OY3UUlpYC6R0daA%252BqfxE2poxmi%252BiqZeoB7QqE77BjZ4sJk3CxRk%252Bs4cY6%252B5hn6QgLYMjvNmx0x2lkId61iBxVuF3K0HU%252FnQFbV8wpJpB9sWUXipl2vXA7Vx5bbj%252FhM3g8KqOEzNfWeOWysidgpS6xRnL7fZmCCUTy9Cc2CglMWbMsqJq7wffZbhzxblDOjE%252Ba6B54C3h9ZM7XekP0TN7KgS%252BtE%252FT6VmQfbkwMes66IMjTQXAl255dueb1qcGbdH03cpcKmkNOkkkAKXhwm6JtFT6nWlE%252F%252FroaQ4EOA5eYZR%252BXM4MZgr0tOgXllWbDwqm9gq1ic%252B5jXcqb6r3N3zacAdrt%252B%252F%252BKxoHkxtzXQzclQShU0uhya0px%252Fc1oHI3nPp7uP0Tx03KQFmNpSwF3C0BjYY%253D%7Ccksum%3A37302822051583cc8b25e1e54c8db1b2167d3081de2c%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2334524

MerylStreep Sat 03-Apr-21 13:10:36

Good lord. All that for one item ? But that’s the one.

aggie Sat 03-Apr-21 13:59:33

My youngest swore it hurt to cut his hair and his nails ! He is 39 now and still hates cutting his nails and is delighted that the barbers are not open , he isn’t autistic

Calendargirl Sat 03-Apr-21 15:50:58

cornishpatsy

I think the parents should just take control and tell him he is having his nails cut and then do it. What if he decides he does not want to brush his teeth or shower or get dressed. Parents need to be in charge ready for serious issues when the child is older.

I agree! FGS!

If he won’t cut his own nails, it’s time to step in and sort it out. Who’s the parent?

How many other things is he allowed to get away with?

He’s 7, not 27.

BlueBelle Sat 03-Apr-21 17:04:59

It’s not necessarily brattish behaviour as someone suggested, some children have a fear of something been cut off them
Some really insensitive replies .... make him, why ? If he’s fearful of it Some kids can’t wait for their teeth to fall out others are really scared at losing a tooth I don’t understand this control thing Talk to him, find out if he’s frightened of something Maybe have a little competition to see how quickly it can be done get him to guess how many minutes it will take and if he can tell the time he can time it, make a game out of it
Fai
Ing thatv I d do as B9 says try them if no good return them or use them for other family members but the worst thing is to make a big thing out of it

PaperMonster Sat 03-Apr-21 17:27:18

What awful responses! With the exception of the helpful ones. My child doesn’t have autism but does have sensory issues, as do I - my mother exerted her control and probably thought I was being ‘brattish’. This has had a major impact on my life. Just ugh.

Gannygangan Sat 03-Apr-21 17:30:04

I'd buy them.

I don't think he's being brattish. He might have a good reason to be reluctant, ( in his head). Maybe he thinks it will hurt. Who knows.

nannafizz Sat 03-Apr-21 21:23:57

Thank for those of you who have answered kindly . I was asking for some help not asking to be made to feel upset - which some replies did . It is not a case of bad parenting & yes I think it does frighten him . He also hates to have his hair cut . His mother is amazing , a really good , caring responsible mum .

Nanna58 Sat 03-Apr-21 21:30:57

Hello. nannafiz. My DGS is on the very mild end of the Autistic Spectrum and he hates having his hair and nails cut, actually shakes . He’s been referred to a Sensory Support Clinic. So, much love and support to you , you sound a lovely caring family.

nannafizz Sat 03-Apr-21 22:28:42

Thank you so much for those caring words Nanna58 . We have wondered if that could be the case .

Callistemon Sat 03-Apr-21 23:14:06

I didn't like having my fingernails cut because they never felt smooth afterwards. I don't think emery boards were invented then, if they were then we didn't have any. We had those silver nail files and using those set my teeth on edge (still does). Perhaps your GS feels the same.
I rarely cut my nails, just use an emery board.

Mind you, I wouldn't have got away with not having them cut.

CafeAuLait Sat 03-Apr-21 23:18:56

Can you meet him halfway? Explain to him that the cutter he is interested in costs a lot of money but you will buy it on the condition that he will let you use it to clip his nails? I have a child with sensory needs and sometimes working out such agreements helps meet both our needs.

nannafizz Sun 04-Apr-21 08:56:37

Thank you CafeAuLait , yes that sounds a good idea .

MerylStreep Sun 04-Apr-21 09:17:43

My grandson has sensory processing disorder. We paid for a private diagnosis 8 years ago because there was nowhere to gothrough the nhs.
I think I could write my own book with all that I’ve read.
If it is sensory issues: it’s very likely that he will enjoy the vibration from the electric nail file.
All I will say to anyone with a child with this condition, is, it gets a lot easier for them to deal with as they get older ?