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Should I stop painting my sons nails?

4 replies

Timetogiveupnow · 21/02/2020 06:39

My son is ten. Since he was a toddler he's lived having his nails painted. I've either done his toe or fingernails and a gender free colour. It's also only in the holidays as its not allowed at school. He asked for silver nails like me so I did them this half term. But then he said things which he must have learned at school. He said he's a girl, so I said no he's a boy with nail polish which is perfectly normal. Then he said he's gay which I said no he's just wearing nail polish, doesn't make you gay.
His dad (my husband) used to be full goth with nail polish, make up etc but that was twenty years ago so dc have never seen it. I don't associate nail polish with being female or gay, it's just decoration.
So as he likes wearing it should I continue but keep educating him that straight men can wear polish although it's not the norm? Or do I need a different tact?

OP posts:
Voxx · 21/02/2020 06:51

Nail varnish is pretty gender neutral. My ex was a goth as well and rocked it in the 90s (and beyond!). And Harry Styles often sports painted nails. If he wants to keep wearing it then just reiterate that a layer of colour on his nails says nothing except he likes painted nails! If he’s uncomfortable with it, however, it’s fine to stop for now.

ItWillBeBetterinAugust · 21/02/2020 06:57

Do you have pictures of his dad in full goth gear? Show him!

Emphasise that whether you are a boy or a girl is just about whether you have a willy or a vagina, and whether you like nail polish, long hair, shirt hair, ballet, football, horse riding, puppies, superheroes etc is all just personality and nothing to do with having a willy or a vagina! That would be silly!

Damntheman · 21/02/2020 08:52

I'd start looking up photos of men (famous or not) who rock the polish. I'd explain that nailpolish is not the determining factor in if a person is queer or not and that it's just a decoration that some people like regardless of gender.

If he wants the polish then keep at it! My brothers rocked nail polish well into their thirties. They're much better at applying it than I'll ever be ;)

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Letsallscreamatthesistene · 21/02/2020 09:02

At 10 can he do it himself if you show him how?

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