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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU nail polish aged 4.5

140 replies

MoonStar07 · 27/07/2016 15:58

My 4.5 DD is desperate for nail polish. AIBU by not allowing it? I came from a strict upbringing and I wasn't allowed to wear make up or cut my hair until I was around 14-15. I actually really would love to paint her toenails and I think it looks super cute. But on the other hand inside me I feel like she's too young. Her cousins of the same age do. But they're off a different cultural heritage to me. I married out of culture and faith. It's bothering me because I want my little girl to enjoy being a little girl. But I'm quite anti very girly stuff. When I was young Toys etc were more mixed. Eg no girl Lego or boy Lego and I remember doing lots of meccano when I was about 10. AIBU? Should I let her paint her nails? Or I paint them for her? Thanks

OP posts:

Pinkheart5915 · 27/07/2016 16:25

What's wrong with a little girl painting her nails, multi coloured were my favourite as a little girl.

My nephew use to have his toe nails painted when I did mine, he loved it.

Muskateersmummy · 27/07/2016 16:28

I have my nails polished every few weeks so dd is increasingly asking for her's to be done. I let her on special occasions.

blitheringbuzzards1234 · 27/07/2016 16:30

Not my cuppa tea but wouldn't do any harm. If it gets chipped and looks ghastly she'll maybe realise that there's more to it than meets the eye, what with removing/re-applying/constant retouching the chipped bits. Perhaps then she'll get bored with it and wait until she's older and has more patience.

EdithWeston · 27/07/2016 16:31

One of my rules is never to make a fuss about stuff that comes off.

It'll look as if she's playing dress up.

I agree the less fuss and categorisation by gender the better. So provide the toys she likes playing with, and give lots of opportunities to try different toys - so she can discover by trying out what it is she actually likes (not what she is meant to like).

And put on the nail varnish yourself. It's awful stuff to clear up if there are spills.

Mumberjack · 27/07/2016 16:32

My DD (3) likes nail polish on from time to time. In fact when I was heavily pregnant with her little sister, it was a nice activity plus it meant she had to sit still for a few minutes while it dried (giving me a break!).
It's also a good way to get her nails clipped - dressing it up as a manicure or pedicure means less freak outs when the clippers appear.

ZippyNeedsFeeding · 27/07/2016 16:32

Letting her have the polish will cause far fewer problems than making an issue out of it being "wrong" IMO. She may not even like it- my four year old wanted me to put nail polish on his fingers and toes, but didn't like how cold it felt, so he didn't ask again.

Loubymoo · 27/07/2016 16:35

I've been painting my daughters finger and toenails since she was about 2. It was the only way she would let me trim them!! I only put on sparkly nail Polish until recently when she won some pink shopkins Polish and I put that on her. She loved it and I think it looks really cute. We call it Mummy daughter pamper time!!!

BeyondBeyondBeyondBeyondBeyond · 27/07/2016 16:41

I know it sounds very "right on mn mum" but my boys both have their nails painted when they want it. Agree with not making a fuss about anything that comes off.

aaahhhBump · 27/07/2016 16:42

My DD aged 4 has had her toes painted since she was 1. This was due to her having talipies. It was an easy way to make a fuss of her feet and to encourage her to allow her feet to be touched and to show them off at clinic. Her treatment has finished but we still paint her toes, usually the colour of her swimming costume. It doesn't need to be a fashion girl thing. How would your DH feel about you painting his nails?

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 27/07/2016 16:42

Oh let her have some nail polish. What's being strict got to do with anything. She's not going to grow up to be a prison fodder rebel over a bit if nail polish.
However I'd only go for pastel colours for her.
Pale pink.
Lilac
Mint green
Baby blue.

HorraceTheOtter · 27/07/2016 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

woodenmouse · 27/07/2016 16:45

I paint my 2.9 yo nails. He's a boy and I've had some funny looks but he loves to sit with me and have his nails done so I really don't care. I think nail polish is different to make up.

Kennington · 27/07/2016 16:46

I get formaldehyde free nail polish as the chemicals are a bit dodgy. Particularly to breathe in.
I paint toenails occasionally and think it is harmless. I don't want her to spend hours choosing the right make up and think teaching her about what is flattering later on is a useful thing but nail polish can be fun for boys and girls.

SirVixofVixHall · 27/07/2016 16:47

All my friends had boys, and they had them before I had my dds. Every single one at some point had painted nails, glittery toes etc. I don't think of it as a particularly girly thing, more of a playing around small child thing. My dds have painted fingernails, or toes, every now and again. I don't allow it for school so it's just in the holidays, I think it is fine.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 27/07/2016 16:47

Ds uses to have his toe nails power ranger blue at 2 yrs old 😁

PrincessHairyMclary · 27/07/2016 16:49

Dd had a Fairies set from the Disney store at that age, if was essentially pva glue and glitter and just washed off which was handy when she got it all over the furniture

MerryMarigold · 27/07/2016 16:57

I think it's fine. Our rule is just not in public...so just do it and then take it off the next day or whatever.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 27/07/2016 16:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Glittered · 27/07/2016 17:01

I've been painting dd's nails since she was 18 months just toes but now she is 4 she has them done often. Just before I had dd2 I took dd1 to a salon and we both had a pedicure. She just had her nails filed and painted but she loved it. She can't wait to paint dd2's nails but she's only 8 weeks lol

Motherwithflaws · 27/07/2016 17:01

My 5 year old ds had his painted as soon as school finished

megletthesecond · 27/07/2016 17:01

Rainbow nails in school holidays are the law in this house. It also means dd can use up my left over polish and weird colours I've gone off.

NellysKnickers · 27/07/2016 17:03

DS2 (5) is currently sporting glittery fingernails and dark brown toenails, he's only allowed in the school holidays, he loves having them done when I do mine

minipie · 27/07/2016 17:05

DD age 3 currently has orange nails (to match mine) - I wouldn't have suggested it but she really wanted it.

My only issue is she's now complaining because it's got chipped!

EweAreHere · 27/07/2016 17:05

My DD7 is currently sporting multi-coloured toe nails. She is delighted.

Honestly, it's not a slippery slope onto street corner attire. My boys even love having their nails done at school discos!

MaddyHatter · 27/07/2016 17:09

i always wear very bright colours on my nails, they're currently a shocking shade of pink

I always do DD's, i'm not a very girly person, but my nails are the one thing i make an effort on because it looks pretty and makes me smile, so i don't mind doing the same for DD.

The issue is getting her to sit still to let it dry!

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