There are a few things I do to get DD nails tamed.. She doesn't freak out but she doesn't want to sit still..
She LOVES " Gummy Bare" song on youtube , Don't ask me why she loves it so much but it is the perfect length of distraction to at least get them clipped.. Its not the greatest video for lo to be watching
She loves to get her toe nails painted so I let her play in my nail polish bag while I do her nails.. She even takes the nail polish and puts them to her toes or holds out her fingers LOL..
I also let her play with the nail file sometimes.. I use one of my big filers because It seams to file quicker then the baby ones. She will also take the filer to her nails and toes in attempt to do it herself..
I would say distraction is the key to your success.. GL