I Give Up
Does clipping your baby’s nails go something like this? Or am I an inadequate mother? (Likely the latter.)
“Lilly, Mommy has to clip your nails.”
“Stay still please.”
“Lilly.”
“Stop moving, baby.”
“I have to clip your nails so you don’t cut yourself again.”
“Lilly.”
“No, you can’t have that.”
“No.”
“Give that to Mommy.”
“Lilly, Mommy said no.”
“No.”
“Lilly.”
“Oh, fine have it.”
“But now that you have it, please stay still.”
“Lilly, the deal is you can have it but you have to let me cut your nails.” (Cause rationalizing with a 10-month-old totally works.)
“Stay still please.”
“Give me back your hand.”
“Just a few more seconds.”
“You’re gonna make yourself bleed, baby.”
“Lil-ly.”
“Please, sweet girl.”
“Shh, shh, shh.”
“Your hand please.”
“Just a few more seconds for Mommy.”
“Shh, shh.”
“Nooo…”
“LILLY!”
“I give up. Make yourself bleed.”