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AIBU?

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11 year old wants ear piercing

83 replies

Kira4 · 31/05/2024 18:35

My 11yo has really got a bee in her bonnet about wanting new ear piercings. She had had her ears pierced (lobes) when she was 8 (she’d been asking for ages) and now she wants a second lobe piercing and to get a piercing further up her ear (she said it’s called a helix).

Her dad initially told her a resounding no but that we’d discuss it because she keeps on about it. There was a suspicion that some of her friends (and maybe her) were planning to sneakily go and get pierced without telling anyone (don’t think/hope they'd have been successful) so I’m a bit relieved she’s openly asking and wanting to discuss it with us (she can be quite charming and persuasive when she wants to be!)

I’m inclined to compromise and use the second lobe piercing as a carrot/reward over the summer but do think the higher up ear piercing is something she’s way too young for. Would they even do that on a kid even with parental permission? Her dad and I will have to agree and suspect he won’t budge on either.

OP posts:
Kira4 · 31/05/2024 18:44

Aglassaday · 31/05/2024 18:40

From someone with a fair amount of piercings, I’d say 13 is around the age for her to start getting more but no earlier, providing she does her research, pays herself and goes to a proper piercing/tattoo studio

A second piercing in her ear lobe can’t do anymore harm than one can it?

The reality is she’ll end up not wearing it I bet cos she plays a lot of sport and ends up losing the earrings she has in changing rooms all the time so not bothering to wear them for ages.

OP posts:
CandyLeBonBon · 31/05/2024 18:42

Helix is a cartilage piercing and I think reputable piercers won't do them under 12 as they're more painful and take longer to heal (certainly the case where I live)

motherboredd · 31/05/2024 18:41

I'd say yes to the second lobe snd helix when 13.

Aglassaday · 31/05/2024 18:40

From someone with a fair amount of piercings, I’d say 13 is around the age for her to start getting more but no earlier, providing she does her research, pays herself and goes to a proper piercing/tattoo studio

Kira4 · 31/05/2024 18:40

Oh I know I can tell her no but I want to do it for the right reasons. I’d rather she thinks we hear her out and make a fair decision than we just dismiss her. I don’t want her sneaking to get piercings or things when she’s a teenager. I want her to think she can can discuss it with us even if she doesn’t get the answer she wants in the end.

OP posts:
BarbedButterfly · 31/05/2024 18:38

If you want to soften it tell her what age you think the piercing will be okay. I am fairly relaxed about this stuff as long as it is done with a needle, but it is okay to say no if you aren't comfortable.

Megera · 31/05/2024 18:37

Imo she’s too young for anymore piercings other than the one she’s got now, and it’s fine to tell her no, regardless of how charming and persuasive she is! It would do her good!

BeaRF75 · 31/05/2024 18:36

You are the parent, so you are absolutely allowed to say "no".