Storm1974
Junior Guinea Pig
So we've had Bracken and Bramble for just over around 6 weeks now and although they will take food from us and I have picked them up a few times, it is not very often because they don't seem to like it and I don't want to stress them out. Bramble is particularly bad when I go to pick him up and will race around the cage, then when I finally get him he screams as I pick him up! 
Bracken is a little better, but still runs away from my hand, though both (Well especially Bracken) are ok once I'm actually holding them, as long as they feel secure and I have them against my chest. My other half has never handled them, but he does put his hand in the cage regularly and they come over and sniff and sometimes nibble on it. 
I know they need handling weekly for weighing, health checks etc., but because they are still young (They're around 13-14 weeks) and are extremely active with a fantastic appetite, we have only actually weighed them once since we've had them, but we have given Brackens back nails a quick trim (But not Brambles) but didn't really manage to do the front as he really didn't like it. Their nails are ok though, because we have put a couple of small, flat rocks in there, at the entrance to their main sleeping box, so they often run over these (They have never hurt themselves in the slightest!), so I think that is helping, though I expect we will have to attempt the nail cutting at some point.
To be honest, since we have had the boys, because they have been so skittish (Though they are a lot better now, just not with being actually picked up!) I have had really bad anxiety about both cutting their nails and picking them up daily, hence why I haven't done it, and my other half is the same really and he also is partially sighted, so it's harder for him to see in the cage to get them. So that doesn't help. 
We just don't like the thought of stressing them out and know it can be detrimental to their health as well.
Are we being really bad owners by not picking them up daily?
They are going to the vet tomorrow for mite treatment, so I expect that will be very stressful for them!
Bracken is a little better, but still runs away from my hand, though both (Well especially Bracken) are ok once I'm actually holding them, as long as they feel secure and I have them against my chest. My other half has never handled them, but he does put his hand in the cage regularly and they come over and sniff and sometimes nibble on it. I know they need handling weekly for weighing, health checks etc., but because they are still young (They're around 13-14 weeks) and are extremely active with a fantastic appetite, we have only actually weighed them once since we've had them, but we have given Brackens back nails a quick trim (But not Brambles) but didn't really manage to do the front as he really didn't like it. Their nails are ok though, because we have put a couple of small, flat rocks in there, at the entrance to their main sleeping box, so they often run over these (They have never hurt themselves in the slightest!), so I think that is helping, though I expect we will have to attempt the nail cutting at some point.
To be honest, since we have had the boys, because they have been so skittish (Though they are a lot better now, just not with being actually picked up!) I have had really bad anxiety about both cutting their nails and picking them up daily, hence why I haven't done it, and my other half is the same really and he also is partially sighted, so it's harder for him to see in the cage to get them. So that doesn't help. We just don't like the thought of stressing them out and know it can be detrimental to their health as well.
Are we being really bad owners by not picking them up daily?
They are going to the vet tomorrow for mite treatment, so I expect that will be very stressful for them!
They're centre stage in our living room and I'm regularly having my hands inside the cage spot cleaning it and giving them small tidbits of food, have also started adding more hay to the actual cage floor and scattering some of their pellets into the cage for a bit of stimulation. Also got to think up more ways to interact/keep them stimulated in their cage because our place is a bit too small (Limited floor space) to have them out in a run, unless it's outside when the weather is warm/dry enough. We don't have a lot of money for expensive scatter treats or toys, but I have put empty toilet roll holders with hay inside in the cage, but they weren't that interested. May also try (From a video I've just watched on YT) tying a piece of string to their cage wall and putting bits of carrot etc on there. They also have empty cardboard boxes to sleep/play in and a tunnel. I do worry about them being stuck in the cage 24/7, they 'must' get bored with it.
Just an idea. 
I did manage to hold him the other day though for a couple of minutes, when they were in their carrier for cage clean time and I had to pick him up to put him back in the cage. But as soon as I put him down he races off and hides, like it was so terrifying!
Well mainly the back ones anyway as the front ones weren't too bad and Bracken squeaked a couple of times when I tried to clip a couple of his front ones and he has black nails, so it was very difficult to see where the quick started, especially as they weren't that long! So I didn't manage to take anything off of them this time. They both sat amazingly still though and Bramble just nibbled on the piece of carrot, almost seeming totally oblivious to the fact that his nails were being trimmed for the FIRST time ever! 
Also,we used dog nail clippers (Ancol Small dog clippers) instead of specific small animal ones, do you think that is ok, or should we actually buy specific small animal clippers, would that make it any easier?
so I will always do my best NOT to cut it!