05 May, 2011
One of the most disgusting ways to get kids to clip their nails
Posted by andrea tomkins in: parenting
Awhile back someone tweeted out the fact that she couldn’t get her kids to clip their nails, and that their claws talons finger and toenails were starting to destroy furniture, poke holes in socks, and hurt people. It was time.
She asked: What’s a mom to do? And I had something to share.
(Note: I will not reveal whether we have done this ourselves, but I will say that I’ve read that some families out there resort to doing this in order to convince their children to succumb to regular nail clipping.)
No doubt you’re wondering, WHAT IS IT. WHAT IS THIS DISGUSTING SECRET YOU ARE SO HESITANT TO SHARE. Well, I can’t believe I’ve even saying it, but I will tell you:
Start a finger and toe nail collection.*
Whenever those nails need clipping remind your child of their growing collection. During the nail clipping, carefully put them all in a little cup which is specifically reserved for this purpose. It’s so gruesome, how could any child resist?
To see these accumulated throwaway body parts is (probably) really gross. But you know what would be terrible? (And I only mention this because I IMAGINE it can be totally cringe-inducing) If a family member happened to be walking up the stairs with a container of toenail collection and *spills them.* Can you imagine? Can you imagine, tiny fragments of nails, spread far and wide over your floor? Ugh.
The things we do for kids eh?
*Keeping nail clippings is actually an old superstition. In some cultures they had to be saved, or buried in order to keep them away from one’s enemies (I guess). I won’t ask what you do with your clippings.
So let’s just leave it at that, ok? :)
