Cutting children's nails

ollow

At what age would you allow them to do it themselves? I have an almost 5 year old and a 7 year old, I know they are a bit young just yet but was just wondering at what age you allow them to do it.

shellsuit

It doesn't matter how old they are ~ if they can do it without hurting themselves, let them get on with it

carolpinkdreamer

I still do my 14 year old son's!

ollow

It's my ds I'm more concerned about his nails are really thick and he has 1 nail that seems to "ingrow" it curls over the top of his toe.

pinkclouds

Not sure. My 4.5 year old doesn't cut her own nails yet so I wouldn't expect your 5 year old to do so. If it's any help, when she "plays" with nail varnish, she does her left hand nails confidently but asks me to do the right hand nails for her so I think confidence and dexterity with both hands (if not ambidextrous) would be a useful indicator. No point being able to cut only half of your nails...

ollow

Pinkclouds I wouldn't even consider letting my daughter cut her nails at this age. As for painting her nails, let's just say mummy does a far better job.

kjmtidea

I do all of my lot who are 4,6,8 and 10, just the thought of letting them do it themselves scares me :eek:

pinkclouds

ollow wrote: »

As for painting her nails, let's just say mummy does a far better job.

I'm sure mommy does. However, it was Suncoat Girl water-based peelable nail varnish for kids 3+ years old and thus pretty much a "toy". I reckon you'd have to put on at least 3 coats to make the colour show up. It doesn't chip as such... more sort of snags, so you'd peel it off in less than a day even if you were an adult.

alm721

I still cut my hubbys nails, lol, although that is more that he cant be bothered rather then cant. I think whenever they can do it safely is the right time. It doesn't matter how old they are.

shop-to-drop

None of mine have been able to try to this alone until senior school and even then we give them a hand when they ask and check up that they have been done and how well.

I have boys though I suspect girls may, in general, be better.

lilrahi

Lol @Alm721! I just did my hubby's today! They were in a right state. I have to point them out and then he will begrudgingly do it or I get fed up asking him to do it and then I do it.

I'd wait till they were in senior school