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Original poster

To be undecided on whether painted toenails are ok on a 2 year old?

67 replies

CrazyThursday · 23/11/2013 13:24

My friends dd who is 2.5 often has her toes painted (by her mum at home, not in a salon or anything) and I can't work out whether I think it's cute or not??

Part of me thinks its ok, part of me thinks its not totally appropriate.

My dd is not quite 2 but I suspect will start to ask for her toes to be done as we spend a lot of time with the others.... And I don't know where I stand!!

OP posts:
HaPPy8 · 23/11/2013 13:25

My 2 year old always asks to have hers done when she sees me do mine. I just put a very thin later on. I think it's ok, much bigger parenting crimes out there!!

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 23/11/2013 13:27

Why would it not be ok? Confused

My ds(4) loves getting his done. Its just a bit of decoration in their nails for fun.

PrammyMammy · 23/11/2013 13:27

I think it's okay, a bit of fun. They want to copy mum at that age.

havingastress · 23/11/2013 13:28

No No No and NO.

Although I do also agree that there are bigger parenting crimes out there!

PolkaDotParty · 23/11/2013 13:28

I really dislike it on very young children, and my DD (4) has never had nail polish on, but she is the only one of a large group of friends.

londonrach · 23/11/2013 13:30

Toenail polish and remover is not the best thing for adult toenails. The nail cant breath and can be damaged. Polish should only be worn for the day and removed and the nail feed with olive oil or similar to repair the damage. So for a child id say no unless its for a very very short time as a very special treat.

Bettercallsaul1 · 23/11/2013 13:32

I think, as an occasional "fun" thing , it's fine. It's literally just adding a touch of colour and she can have fun choosing the shade! I don't think, on an occasional basis, it's any more significant than face paints.

If she started to insist on it as part of her daily routine, then, no!

Slavetominidictator · 23/11/2013 13:32

What's the damage? I have worn red nail varnish on my toes for the last twenty years. Seriously, I take it off only to redo it. Am now wondering what I've done to myself!

Meh84 · 23/11/2013 13:32

I do my DD's when I do mine and she's two in Jan, not properly, just a touch.

I see nothing wrong with it, it's crap nail varnish so it comes off within a few days anyway.

Feminine · 23/11/2013 13:34

Its fine.

OutragedFromLeeds · 23/11/2013 13:34

I think it's fine if the child sees an adult doing it and wants to copy.

If the adult is painting the child's nails as a matter of course that is inappropriate and quite concerning.

londonrach · 23/11/2013 13:37

Im a podiatrist and see damage on a daily basis. Slave you must have been lucky. Is your nails discoloured with a white power feel to them, fungal infected, or brittle. As i said before just occasionally for a very short time.

Spottybra · 23/11/2013 13:37

There isno damage to toes or nails from polish. From enhancements, maybe, depending on jow they are applied and removed.

I've worn polish on my toes for 20years.

Both dc sometimes have it on. Only a thin layer and no bottom or top coats.

londonrach · 23/11/2013 13:44

Spotty some of the damage can be reduced if you give the nails a rest, feed them etc Please google...nailpolish damage to toenails. As i said before occasional for the day is ok. X

Writerwannabe83 · 23/11/2013 13:46

If they are just doing it because they want to be like their mommy then I don't see the harm - it's just a bit of dress-up. If the parents are doing it for their own reasons then I'd find it a bit odd.......

AmberLeaf · 23/11/2013 13:51

Ive worn polish on my toenails for at least 20 years. My nails are fine and I've never had a problem with them. I don't like it on my fingernails though. Too eyecatching/distracting to me.

Al my boys when small have occasionally had a bit of polish on their toes. They would come up and put their feet up while I was doing mine!

I don't see an issue TBH [going on the assumption that this is a possible moral concern rather than anything health related]

PolkaDotParty · 23/11/2013 13:53

I definitely agree there are far worse crimes out there.

However, it is not physical damage that concerns me - though that's a consideration I guess. it's more if it sends a message that you need extra adornment, or that your toes shouldn't be seen without polish. An occasional thing is fine from that point of view, but I can't really see why you would.

elskovs · 23/11/2013 14:11

Course its OK.

Dead chavvy, but harmless.

As long as its on a girl of course.

kelper · 23/11/2013 14:18

My ds loves having his toe nails painted, I can see no harm in it! He's nearly 6 btw.
He also likes making himself beautiful with my makeup! My dh is a bit concerned about that, but it won't do him any harm. Can't see the problem I'm afraid.

gobbynorthernbird · 23/11/2013 15:07

As long as its on a girl of course.

Why? Its just wanting to be 'grown-up' and copy mum, so why not ok on a boy? Are girls not allowed to have toy tool kits?

LittleBairn · 23/11/2013 15:08

I find it tacky.

Ericaequites · 23/11/2013 15:09

There's no need to start any child down Vanity Row so young. I don't care for painted nails on hands or toes for any age or gender, though.

iwouldgoouttonight · 23/11/2013 15:15

Both DS and DD wanted nail polish on their toes to copy me when they were about that age. I did it for them two or three times and then they didn't ask again. Think the novelty wore off. Or they didn't like having to sit still waiting for it to dry!

I don't see it a any different from dressing up or face painting.

I only think it would be a problem if you gave DCs the message that girls have to improve themselves by painting toes, wearing make up, etc.

ppeatfruit · 23/11/2013 15:17

Okay for dressing up occasionally it's not like you're entering her for Toddlers and Tiaras is it?

BertieBowtiesAreCool · 23/11/2013 15:25

I think it's fine. I've done it on DS. I don't think it's about standards of beauty, it's just something fun to do like face painting.