Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to post the most middle-class question ever asked on Mumsnet?

177 replies

pollyandme · 03/03/2016 18:42

I'm looking for somewhere in London where I can book a proper massage as a birthday present for my 6yo daughter.

Somewhere "naice".

Can anyone suggest anywhere?

Sorry.
Polly

OP posts:
jazzyazzy · 04/03/2016 07:50

Wow. Excuse me if I don't use the correct mumsnet jargon. I find it almost as disturbing as some of the replies I've just read. I have a 6 year old and I'm a massage therapist. Do all the people complaining about a 6 year old having a massage object to baby massage as well? It's the same thing, the baby has just grown up a bit, it does not mean the child stops enjoying safe nurturing touch from someone who feels confident doing it. Whilst it may be a problem finding someone to do it for insurance purposes, it does not mean she's ridiculous for wanting it for her child. My children both love massage (as do most adults I know) and have had them wherever we've travelled in the world. I think the responses are all a bit sad to be honest. Pollyandme, if your daughter loves massage at this age, that's a great thing. I think it would be best if you looked online for massage techniques and you did it yourself. Just don't worry about whether you're doing it right or wrong. And please don't listen to these negative comments. Massage for all ages is perfectly normal in so many other cultures.

Original poster
pollyandme · 04/03/2016 08:01

Well Browns may or may not be 'chavvy' but I think it looks lovely, and really special. And they do massages specifically for children aged 4 and over, so I'm evidently not the only weirdo out there...

And we can have a lovely afternoon tea as well.

I'll be bankrupt afterwards, but NEVERMIND. I'll just have to work a bit harder...

I can't find the poster who suggested it but THANK YOU.

ThanksCake

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2016 08:08

Sorted then. Smile

Original poster
pollyandme · 04/03/2016 08:09

And good suggestion to go on a course and learn to do it myself... Because aside from anything I'm not going to be able to afford to do this often and she may decide she LOVES IT.

Grin
OP posts:
Original poster
pollyandme · 04/03/2016 08:09

Was it your suggestion sparkling? If so, thank you!!
Px

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 04/03/2016 08:13

No, not me. I'm not in the right parts. A couple of posters posted links was it one of them?

BlueMoonRising · 04/03/2016 08:13

polly, you can't go too far wrong. If you aren't inflicting pain you are unlikely to be causing any problems, and I am sure a 6yo would be very vocal about pain!

If you want to learn more and can't find a suitable course, you might find a local massage therapist willing to teach you some massage - massage on a 6yo really isn't that different to an adult, just lighter pressure and a smaller area, really

mouldycheesefan · 04/03/2016 08:20

My daughter age 8 would love this. We had a foot massage together in a salon last year when she was 7.

anotherdayanothersquabble · 04/03/2016 08:35

I massage my children and take them for massages just for general relaxation and wellbeing. They enjoy them and the masseuse has more time, patience and expertise than me, though I do learn by watching and do massage at home. I fall into the slightly hippy camp, which does not mean I have dreadlocks, wear rainbow tie-dyed clothes and smell of patchouli and incense!!

I find the responses on this thread baffling. The idea that some people believe other humans can only touch each other with sexual intentions is frightening.

Reach out and touch someone today and don't freak out!

dolkapots · 04/03/2016 08:36

I don't find it weird but I know mine would have been quite very disappointed to get one for a birthday present.

One of my FB friends recently qualified as a reflexologist and she does some type of over- the- clothes body massage. She was claiming that it is very important for children who do sport Hmm so there are definitely people who do this kind of thing.

ameliaesmith · 04/03/2016 09:08

IMHO this is a ridiculous idea for a 6 year old! Wine Cake

NatalieMc82 · 04/03/2016 09:11

Hope you and your daughter enjoy her birthday treat OP it sounds heavenly. x

snowymountaintops · 04/03/2016 09:12

The pole-dancing analogy is just barking mad.

Massage is wonderful Smile.

Mappcat · 04/03/2016 09:33

OP I think this is a lovely idea. No clue as to where you can get one, but seeing as your post has caused the most heated reaction from some people, I just wanted to say that I know my DS (who is 6) much prefers an experience as a special treat rather than toys that are forgotten soon after the event. I hope you find somewhere and that your child has a lovely birthday.

BreakfastLunchPasta · 04/03/2016 09:39

I'm surprised so many people think this is outrageous Confused

My dd had a massage when on holiday in Thailand aged 4, she absolutely loved it and fell asleep during she was so relaxed :)

My other dd has mild ASD and I used to give her foot massages as part of her bedtime routine because it really helped her to sleep. I even did a reflexology course fro the purpose.

The therapist I go to for regular massages will do children but the parent has to be present. I'm not in London though.

JohnCheese · 04/03/2016 09:45

My 10 and 8 year olds would not like it. It's odd to get them a massage by a stranger. Setting strange boundaries, no?

And I fucking hate couples massage. Wtf is that all about. Surely massage is just about you, having your own time etc. I don't get it. But then, I'm not mad about being massaged by strangers anyway so don't mind me.

purplemeggie · 04/03/2016 09:59

How to get a six year old to stay still for long enough? One of the benefits of regular masage, I'd say...

lizn007 · 04/03/2016 10:00

I lived in Asia for years and it was not uncommon for children to have massages. I thought it was a bit weird the first time I heard about it but then my two boys love to have their skin moisturised and massaged a bit. They never went for a pro massage, it seemed to be more girls and more Asians. Whatever, if it is something she likes then its ok. My youngest likes to run round the house naked while I chase him with his pj's and try to smack his bum. We all have our stuff!!

BlueMoonRising · 04/03/2016 10:35

It's odd to get them a massage by a stranger. Setting strange boundaries, no?

Actually it's the opposite. There's a massage in schools programme, which teaches children to massage each other, and part of the programme is to educate on the difference between good touch and bad. While I appreciate that they are not massaging strangers, any reputable therapist would only massage with a parent or guardian present. So rather than a stranger it is someone that they have been introduced to by a parent, and they are chaperoned at all times.

If a child knows healthy, caring 'good' touch then it is easier for them to recognise touch that is unacceptable.

BarricadesBabe · 04/03/2016 10:40

I find the responses on this thread baffling. The idea that some people believe other humans can only touch each other with sexual intentions is frightening.

This with knobs on. Why on Earth is it odd to get a massage from a professionally qualified stranger, or do you only go to a hairdresser, pedicurist, beautician, doctor, physio, (insert any other random body-related expert here) if they happen to be a best mate or family member?? How odd.

Massage for people of all ages is common in the (European) country where we live, where people generally have fewer hang-ups and weirdnesses about bodies and body image than in the English-speaking world.

OP, I think it's a lovely idea: you sound very sane and a wonderful parent Flowers

SweetPeaPods · 04/03/2016 10:54

I think it's a lovely idea. My ds1 loves back massages. He has done from a baby. My sister taught me a little. Hope you both have a lovely day.

ZiggyFartdust · 04/03/2016 11:28

Thanks for this thread, OP, it prompted me to offer one of my children a back rub last night. He used to love it and for whatever reason it went by the wayside...well he loved it and went off to bed all happy and smiley and woke up the same way (and he's usually a total grump in the morning).

Hope your dd loves her treat Smile

sleeponeday · 04/03/2016 14:44

It was mine, OP. Smile I hope you have a lovely time.

As for the poster conflating back massages and pole-dancing classes for 6 year olds... well, at least we can agree that some people have very whacked out boundaries.

BlueMoon DS is autistic, and stores anxiety and stress in his body. Massage was actually suggested to us by a consultant paediatrician as helpful, if his sensory issues work that way (they can manifest in either hating or needing touch, as you may know). I'll keep a weather eye on his developing an urge to pole-dance afterwards. Smile

coffeetasteslikeshit · 04/03/2016 14:46

My DS aged 11 loves massages and I've actually been thinking about getting him a proper one for his birthday, so thank you OP for starting this thread, it's been very interesting.

Theladyloriana · 04/03/2016 14:53

Hope your DD enjoys op! Unnecessary remarks on here, people are funny aren't they...