For those of you not versed in comic book lore, Wolverine from the X-Men is Canadian.
Sometimes I wonder if either my family or Matt‘s are distantly related to Wolverine because I’m pretty sure our daughter’s toenails are made out of a diluted version of indestructible adamantium*!
Let me explain…
I knew before having our little one that clipping fingernails and toenails can be quite stressful for a parent and possibly take years off of your life. The tiniest wrong move can cause you to nip your child too closely and then you have blood flowing (OK maybe not flowing but even a little drop will likely be traumatic for most of us parents).
Having a very active child adds a whole extra layer of complication because she’s very wiggly and loves to flail her arms and legs in all directions.
Fingernails are not impossible, but will sometimes take multiple attempts. Toenails are a total nightmare. I kid you not, the child’s toenails do not want to be clipped. Even if I manage to get a good grip on them with the clippers, the nail is bendy and won’t let the clippers do their job. So while I have two flailing legs sometimes kicking me in the face (intentional or not), I’m dealing with indestructible toenails. Oh my nerves!
But Virginia, why don’t you just chew those fingernails and toenails off? That’s what you’re supposed to do when babies are really young!
Yeah… um, how do I put this. No.
Here are some reasons why I have no desire to chew my daughters nails (fingers or otherwise).
- Ick. That’s just gross.
- I’m not a nail chewer by nature, so I just don’t have that natural, “Mmmm, gonna chew me some nails today” underlying agenda.
- Have I mentioned already that she wiggles and flails? Chomping down on her digits is just as unappealing as making her bleed.
- Nails = germs (Yes she’s my daughter and yes I keep her pretty clean, but nails are the harbingers of random dirt!).
- Ick. That’s just gross.
This isn’t the most challenging aspect of parenting, but it sure keeps me on my toes (ya like that pun I randomly threw in there?). For now the battle continues. But at least it’s a battle where I get to look at these adorable tootsies.
*For my comic book friends who are currently having a meltdown because Wolverine wasn’t born with adamantium on his skeleton
Yes, yes, I know. My analogy is full of flaws, but you’ll just have to get over that. If you can’t, then perhaps my daughter has inherited his amazing healing powers because those darn toenails grow way too fast for my liking! It’s like they always need to be cut. Ahhhhhhh!
Maybe its a result of her Mommy being Wonderwoman?
I use the same technique for cutting kiddo’s nails as I do with my cat’s. They both need to be held down, talked to softly, and given a treat afterwards. But it’s kinda the same thing for both and it works. I find I have to do household nail trimming about once a week. ugh.