Nail varnish and 7 year old

[coconuttella]

My DD has her 7th birthday a few days ago, and one of the things she wanted me to paint her nails... so I did. She was delighted to have purple nails for the rest of the day.

However, I quite often hear people believing that 7, primary age even, is far too young for make-up such as nail varnish. I just don’t get the issue... how’s it different to a child having their face painted or similar.

Aibu to think it’s a bit weird that some parents have this super strict stance on make up.

[upsideup]

YANBU I let my todler dd (and ds) get their nails painted. Adult dsd is a makeup artist, she mainly does drag events so does 'OTT' makeup and she has done this on 11 year old dd for years, its only play.
Its colourful, its fun, its creative, its perfect for kids.

[YoucancallmeVal]

I allowed dd to play with my makeup (supervised!) in the same way I allowed her to play hairdressers with me or have a little squirt of my perfume. She always had her toe nails painted as wanted hers done when I did mine. I don't think any of this equates to 'wearing makeup'. It's just play with real life things that they see, hardly foundation and contouring. And fwiw I used to love PE sessions with my nursery or reception kids when they took their socks off and the boys had painted nails too.

[coconuttella]

And yet I’ve just read another thread where someone is saying they wouldn’t be impressed if their 11 yo was given nail varnish in a party bag! Weird.

[KateWindmumof3]

My daughter loves playing in my make up bag

[NotUmbongoUnchained]

My 3 year old has been wearing nail varnish since about 18 months!

[CountFosco]

I never wear makeup or paint my nails myself and hate the idea of pamper parties or makeup for small girls but nail polish? That's absolutely fine as far as I'm concerned. I was sent a text by the Mum when DD1 (10) was at a playdate asking if I minded her painting her nails so I suspect a lot of people don't like it but I've not met any.

[Ikeameatballs]

I think it’s just a fun thing. Dd and ds loved having their nails painted when they were younger. I only ever paint my toenails because of infection control policy at work so don’t think they got it from me.

[WineDrinkerMe]

Lol my three year old is obsessed with nail varnish.

[coconuttella]

I was sent a text by the Mum when DD1 (10) was at a playdate asking if I minded her painting her nails so I suspect a lot of people don't like it but I've not met any.

Yes, who are these people and why?!

[SellFridges]

DD often has her nails painted. I have a feeling they’re not supposed to have them painted at school but I am not inclined to check.

I’m a bit stricter with make-up although I don’t know why. She has some lip glosses and I occasionally let her play with my blusher.

[Boulshired]

I never minded painting my DDs but would never have painted another child's or included in parties/ sleepover. Seems a personal decision between parents and child.

[NotTakenUsername]

I think yab a bit u to declare people with a different value system as weird. They aren’t being deprived, just raised differently.

[coconuttella]

... a different value system as weird

If it’s based on a reasonable coherent ‘value system’ then you may have a point... But it makes about as much sense as banning kids from dressing up or having their face painted, so until someone does give a decent defence, I’ll continue to think of it as weird.

[SenecaFalls]

I think that the young ones just see it mainly as a fun activity. Our granddaughters painted their grandfather's toenails the last time we babysat. Each nail a different color.

[NotTakenUsername]

Well my Dd has been having her nails painted practically since she was in the womb so I have no huge issue. However, off the top of my head perhaps:

Make-up:
Placing too much value on physical appearance
Sensitive skin
Expensive
Feminist issue for some

Nail varnish:
Looks tacky as soon as it chips
Can be bad for condition of nails
Removers can be harsh
Does remover contain alcohol? (Religious issue)
Spillages can leave lasting damage home (respect for property/potentially a rented property?)

[bobingit]

Yep I think it's ridiculous. Kids should be allowed to wear whatever they want so that they can learn and grow and have fun with it. Be it make up, clothes, nail polish etc..

[Tutlefru]

Is this one of your troll threads coconutella?

[steff13]

My daughter is 7 and loves nail polish and has for a long time. My boys would sometimes wear it at that age, too, if they saw me painting my nails, they'd want it too. She usually chooses 5 different colors then paints one nail on each hand a different color. It's fun to see what she picks each time.

I her for her first pedicure recently; she was in heaven.

Our granddaughters painted their grandfather's toenails the last time we babysat.

What a fun grandpa! Once when my oldest son had his toenails painted (he was about 3), my FIL saw it and suggested to my husband that it was "gay."

[SheGotBetteDavisEyes]

I'm not crazy about it, but my DD's like it. I do have an issue about some of the ingredients, and only use the water-based/peel off non-toxic types.

[Mildred007]

Well these people who don't approve would be shocked with me then. My dd turned 7 this weekend and asked for (& received) nail varnishes & a little nail drier as her presents. She actually wanted this machine toy which paints your nails for you but it had bad reviews. She loves having her nails painted at the weekends and school holidays.
She also likes to play with make up (just eye shadow, blusher & lipstick) but knows she can only do it at home. They way she applies it is rather amusing

[Vinorosso74]

My DD is 8 and she loves having painted toenails and occasionally fingernails. She likes fancy lipbalms and occasionly lip gloss but that's it.
I think nail varnish is fun and don't see an issue. Full face of make up or fake tan at 7 well no.

[marymoosmum]

My daughter is 3 and got her own nail varnish for Christmas, she has pink nails at the moment.