What age is nail varnish O.K.

Yes I doubt nursery would care but it’s easy for me and for them to understand that’s the reason why they’re not allowed it.

I get my nails done every 3-4 weeks. My DD8 comes with me and it’s lovely hangout time together. If the salon isn’t too busy then they do her nails too (just regular polish obviously, not gel) for £5. My DS5 came with us yesterday and they did his nails too just for fun… he chose neon orange and yellow and had the time of his life. 😂

So your 3 yo hasn't actually asked just that your friend thinks you should be painting them?! I would ignore your friend and just wait until your daughter actually asks and see how you feel then.

I was allowed to have my toenails painted when I was 10 and it was my Dad who painted them for me on my birthday. I still remember how excited I was (i'm in my 50s). I still love nail varnish on both toes and fingers although I can take or leave make up.

DD probably nail varnish on from 3 ish but she was never a finger/thumb sucker, and only very occasionally. Usually at Grandma's house!

More regularly from about 5ish but still just school holidays or the odd special weekend - like going out for a family birthday or if she had a friend round and we did it together. Much like how often I do my own to be honest!

I actually didn't like the kid stuff though. It pealed off so easily it either wasn't worth doing or was even more risky with fingers in food/mouths so I use my own quick dry ones.

Sucking her fingers while wearing nail polish won't do any harm at all - once it's dry it won't transfer anything to her mouth if she sucks her thumb or whatever.

I don't think there's any harm at all in letting a small child have their nails painted, especially in fun colours - it's just one of those 'dress-up' things that kids sometimes like, just like face-painting or hair chalks or glitter or making their own bead necklaces to wear. It's just something they see as fun, and most kids like colour. I don't think it's a 'beauty' thing as such for them. My friend's son used to like having his toenails painted in crazy colours when he was little.

However, although totally harmless, I think a lot of three-year-olds would certainly struggle to sit still not only for the length of time it takes to paint nails, but also the length of time it will take them to dry.

My 3 year old has it all the time, had it when she was 2 as well, she loves it and asks for it regularly, it didn’t cross my mind to think she was too young.

I don’t have any real objection to it at any age, it’s just fun, for boys and girls, but for little kids I would only use the kid stuff. It just washes off.

Mine used to like having her toes painted aged about three. (Only the one that dries in 60 seconds for obvious messy reasons.) She is now 16 and doesn’t want toes or fingers painted. 😆

Surprised a 3 yo would sit still enough to let you paint them! My DD’s were about 8/9 when they started painting one another’s. It isn’t allowed at secondary so now they get them done in the summer holidays only.

On the odd occasion non-toxic kid friendly from 3 if she asked for it. I don’t consider it ‘make up’ as such.. she wants her hands and toes to look colourful or glittery. Not French tips or false eyelashes!

However your friend is an idiot.. it’s none of her business how you choose to parent and as other have pointed out adults do a lot of things we don’t let kids do.

My DD used to have it if she asked, probably from age 5.
she had her own around age 10- she used to do her brothers nails too - they would have been 6 and 2.
the little one wears nail varnish very day now - he is 22 ☺️

Toes are easier.
You can get nail stickers which are great for kids of any age

The kid friendly stuff is really different to proper nail varnish but if you have a finger sucker I’d just go for toes when you’re ready. Basically they longer you can hold off the better but she’ll probably have it put on at a party by 4/5.

YABU to refuse to paint your little daughter's nails.

Having painted nails just like mummy's is one of the loveliest and most exciting things a child of either sex can imagine around age 2-4.

What are you afraid of?

My 5 year old has nail varnish (water based kids stuff) and she loves it. She does her nails her self. She also paints her little sisters toes (2 years old) and it’s a nice bonding moment for them. 5 year old also had childrens make up that she loves to wear when dressing up. Not out the house but I can’t understand why people get their knickers in such a twist about it

Well I just let my 3 year old have it on her toes last week for going on holiday but said no to fingernails. I think at 3 if they show interest (dd begged me to let her) it’s fine as a treat.

As pp says though I equally think it’s fine to think that’s too young and have a rule they have to wait until they’re older. Each to their own and I deliberately don’t buy friends kids make up or nail polish as gifts no matter what their age as I don’t know of their parents would be comfortable with it.

I never let my daughter wear nail varnish or any other makeup until she started secondary school. I think young children look horrible with makeup.

I kept it on my son when he went to nursery. They werent bothered

I was allowed at 8, back in the 70s. I had to remove it for school days, though. I still think 7/8 is about the right age to allow it.

I let mine from quite young, maybe about 4/5 for my youngest who wanted to be like his sister. It would usually be a rainbow of different colours. Basically the rule was once they could sit still long enough for it to dry. However I agree it's not a great idea for a child who is likely to eat it. It's a silly argument to say you are hypocritical. Funnily enough I still don't let me primary age DC have a glass of wine for example.

Depends on the context

me and my daughter sometimes would spend time where I fud her nails and make up then she did mine ( I’d look like a clown 🤡!)z this was just a fun way to spend time together and we obvs didn’t go out - she’d be about 4/5 at this point,

if it’s proper nail varnish I’d say probably late primary for a party, or secondary for more everyday

just my opinion

What else does your friend allow her kids to do because it’s hypocritical not to? Drink wine? Drive her car? She sounds ridiculous.

For fancy dress, as soon as they want to.

Actually having their own and wearing it whenever they like, probably secondary school age.

I think I first started age about 11. I got them free with Girl Talk magazines 🥹