Large Family Logistics - 6 Steps to Chemical Free Manicure / Pedicure for Kids

Down here in the Southern Hemisphere, February is Back To School time.  I've dealt with school supplies, uniforms, and school fees.  Now its time to clean these kids up!  They brought a lot of beach home with them under their nails, so I've got my work cut out for me.

Here are 6 Steps for a Chemical Free Mani/Pedi for Kids

1.  Trim their nails with a nail clipper.  Leave a little white nail remaining; if you cut too low they can get an ingrown nail or hurt them.  There are flat and small nail clippers for babies and toddlers you can get, or you can even cut them with a scissors.  Wait for the baby to fall asleep before cutting.

2.  Use a nail file to smooth out the edges.  Soften the edges so they don't snag on anything, making a rounded box look. If you have a buffer, you can use this on the flat side of the nail to remove ridges, but this is an optional step for when you plan on painting the nails. 

3.  Soak their hands. Use the following mixture to soften their cuticles and remove stubborn dirt under the nails:

Fingernail Soak

 2 cups warm water
1 TBSP baking soda
1 drop dish soap (I use Earthwise brand)
3 drops essential oil of choice, optional (Eucalyptus was LOVELY)

Put in a cereal - sized bowl and have kids soak for 5 minutes.  This is a great time to talk about taking care of their bodies and remind them that keeping their hands clean is the best way to avoid getting sick.

4.  Push back their cuticles with an orange stick.  Be gentle, as their little nail beds are very tiny.  This is when to remove stubborn dirt under the nails.

5.  Scrub their hands with Homemade Coconut Sugar Scrub.  Take the time to give them a gentle massage, working in circular motions in the palm, and gently pulling the fingers away from the hand feels great.  You can push their wrists up, locking your fingers with theirs.  There are some great ways to give a baby a massage, but that's another post entirely.  I've caught my kids giving each other hand massages, and that warms my heart.

Homemade Lemon Sugar Scrub

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 TBSP lemon juice

Mix together an small bowl.  Apply to skin and massage.  Rinse clean.  Pat skin dry.

6.  Moisturize.  To keep it chemical free, a little coconut or olive oil is all the moisturizer your kiddos needs, but there are some great lotions on the market for babies and kids.  Burt's Bees Milk and Honey Lotion is my all-time favorite!

Pull all your tools/recipes in a kit.  I found this cool container that doubles as a hand-soaking bowl, so its all together for next time.