Would you let your 7yo get her ears pierced? (If not then what age?)

[Crunchymum]

Sorry title is a bit "click-baity". It's more of a hypothetical question.

Our almost 7yo has asked alot but she has been given a firm no from both me and DP.

To me it seems something that is done when they are very young by parents or when they are old enough to make such a decision? (13+)

Although I recall my mum taking me off when I was quite young to get them done (would have been late 80's)

We are not about to relent but does anyone let their young children get their ears pierced these days?

DD was asking from around 7. As no piercers here would do it with a needle before 10 she had to wait until then, as I wasn’t letting her have them done with a gun.

I did.

Beginning of summer holidays.

It was fine.

No, I wouldn't allow a child to do it - wouldn't be thrilled if she did it as an adult, but it's her body.

I saw a girl at my primary school rip out her piercing while we were playing.

I nagged for 2 years and my mum (who hated piercings) finally relented on my 10th birthday. Our GP pierced them but I'm not sure doctors do that anymore.

I used to get on my high horse about this, but now I think there are bigger concerns in life and harder battles to fight. My kid is 6 - if she asked me and understood that piercings can be painful and a lot of work to look after initially, then I'd allow it.

My dd's were nearly 4 and nearly 5...they had nagged me for a year. I told them it would hurt and they needed to clean them etc. Both done together at a beauty salon. Over 10 years ago. No issues at all.

We're letting our DD get it done for her 12th birthday somewhere where I'm happy it's being done in a clean, hygienic environment. She's been asking for years.

She is one of the last girls in her y7 class not to have pierced ears according to DD, though. Some are on to their second ear piercing. The place I've booked to have it done will do earlobes (with a parent present) from age 7.

Nope
When they leave Primary school is early enough

When they are old enough to care for them properly. And are not having regular swimming lessons.
Also when they have been asking for awhile - learning to delay gratification is really important for kids.

I would at the beginning of the summer holidays if I thought they were sensible/dexterous enough to do all the care themselves.
Otherwise I'd make them wait another year or two.

13 is the rule in our house.

My DD was 7, had been asking for ages. I explained it would hurt and how she would need to clean them and she still wanted them done. I don't see it as a big issue.

Also used to think I’d never let my daughter do it before 10/11. Then after a few family stresses at home, then covid and also my daughter having an operation, it just seemed to not matter any more. She was 8 and had been asking for a year or so. I felt she was big enough to put up with the aftercare and it has all been fine. I’m glad now that we got them out of the way.

End of primary for mine.

Yes, I would.

From secondary age.

When you think they are old enough to stop it getting infected and refrain from taking it out early.

My dd was 5 and it was absolutely fine and she's never had any problems with them

I had mine done at about 7 or 8 but if my kid wanted his done I’d wait until he was at least 10-12, probably.

We waited until 11 (almost 12) and it was the summer before high school. I felt she needed to be old enough to look after the piercings herself and get the ear rings in and out herself at school.
In the years prior to that I just set the same date - end of primary school - as the day it could happen and there was no further argument about it. I didn’t remind her as we edged to the end of primary school but left it to her to mention if she’d remembered and still wanted them pierced. She did remember, I took her, and six months later there has been no problem with them.

I got mine at age 4 I think. I told my mom I want to get my ears pierced and she took me to the jewelers later that day. Earrings have been my favorite kind of jewelry from that day on. I have no DD but if I had, she would be allowed to get her ears pierced fr from the moment she said that she wanted them. I don’t agree with piercing baby ears because they can’t say yet if they want piercings or not. I believe a 4 year old is able to decide this for themselves.

I was 6 or 7 when I had mine done, so yes. She's shown no interest yet though and she's 8.

Beginning of summer holidays here when she will be 8. She has been asking for them for years, is sensible etc.

I pierced my own aged 10 because my mum wouldn't let me, so if she is anything like me then I think its better to get them done properly.

Like PP said, there are much bigger issues in life than ear piercing and I'm picking my battles.

As long as they’re old enough to take care of them themselves and then I’d probably wait to the start of the summer holidays as it’s easier not having them still healing with PE at school. They’re just earrings, I don’t see it as a big deal at all.