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Original poster

Child ear piercing.

155 replies

MrsPreston11 · 31/05/2018 16:47

7 and 5. It's out of the questions this year as DH is NOT on board.

Much to the chagrin of the older one, and therefore the younger one too......

What's the standard age now? Not many in either of mine's classes with them pierced.

What ages have worked for your kids? And where did you get them done?

OP posts:
melj1213 · 31/05/2018 23:27

My dd was born in Spain and her ears were pierced before we even left the maternity unit. It's tradition over there and I had no objection to it.

It was done in a few seconds and it was just another part of taking care of her to do aftercare on her piercings. Because she has always had her ears pierced it's just a normal thing for her to deal with them and has been since she was a tot, just the same as brushing her hair and washing her face.

Heartofglass12345 · 31/05/2018 23:28

I don't agree with babies having their ears pierced, but I don't really get making them wait until they are 10 either. If they are old enough to ask and understand it hurts, then they are old enough to have them done I think. I was 2 when I had mine done so I can't remember, but I was a teen when I had my 2nd holes done, with a gun in Claire's. It was one of the most painful piercing I've ever had, got infected and took months to heal, and I've had my ears pierced in various places and my nipple lol. So I would definitely go somewhere that does it with a needle!

Dramlass · 31/05/2018 23:31

I too think 5 is too young, if my 7 year old wanted them I'd let her. She's old enough to understand that it would be painful and that she would have to look after them.

Heartofglass12345 · 31/05/2018 23:32

I 3rd blue banana too, they are good and generally experienced piercers. My tragus and lip were done by a nurse lol

Dramlass · 31/05/2018 23:33

I saw a little girl in Claire's have her ears pierced, she looked to be about 3, she was so upset. It was awful.

deadringer · 31/05/2018 23:38

If they really, really want them done, understand that it will hurt, and are sensible enough to follow after care instructions and keep them clean then they are old enough regardless of their age imo.

tigercub50 · 31/05/2018 23:38

I was 16 but rubbish at looking after my ears so the piercings healed over. I would say about 10 is ok. DD will probably have hers done for her 10th birthday

RomeoBunny · 31/05/2018 23:41

How about just dont. When they're teenagers they can have them done. Earrings are 'fun' but think about why women have them. They're for adornments and to be attractive to the opposite sex. The whole concept of young kids having them is pretty fucking grim to be honest.

RomeoBunny · 31/05/2018 23:42

@melj1213 that 'tradition' is frankly disgusting.

FASH84 · 31/05/2018 23:43

I had mine done in the summer holidays just after I turned thirteen. Neither my primary nor secondary school allowed any jewellery so I'm surprised to hear references to children wearing earrings for school.

TimeToDash · 31/05/2018 23:45

I had mine done at 11. I think it's about the right age. HATE seeing them on babies and toddlers! I remember my trip to get them done as a really special day out with my mum. Shame to do it so early they don't remember it. Also from the other perspective I saw a young woman the other day (30ish) with un-pierced ears and I remember thinking how unusual it was. So possibly some people might choose not to in order to be different!

RomeoBunny · 31/05/2018 23:46

@Racecardriver that is exactly what NOT to do with a piercing. They grew over probably because the back of your ear 'blew out' from the gun if they used one. My sister had to have hers taken out in hospital too. My Mum fainted because my sister wouldnt stop screaming and wriggling so there was blood and she then spent 3hrs in recovery (my Mum that is). Even at 7 I was ashamed to be near either of them 😂

GeorgiesBoat · 31/05/2018 23:49

I went with when they asked, and if they understood what it entailed (both pain and cleaning aspects)
DD1 was 7, DD2 was 11 and neither DD3 or 4 has asked yet (11 & 7 respectively).

FranticallyPeaceful · 31/05/2018 23:55

Until they ask, 13+. I was forced into it, I still remember. I hate the holes in my skin now and feel really quite annoyed that my parents did that to me.

Racecardriver · 31/05/2018 23:58

@RomeoBunny yes it was with a gun and the growing over was worse at the back but I think genetics had a part to play as well. They still deal back up now if I go a few months without wearing them and I have to force earrings back through. It really was a nightmare though. If I had daughters I would make them wait until they were old enough for me to not have to deal with it. Horrible experience.

tomatosalt · 31/05/2018 23:59

I was 13 but very keen to have it done from about 5 when a lot of my school friends had theirs done. We lived in a very working class area and starting school seemed to be the norm for first ear piercings. It feels very unfair as a child if you’re denied something most of your peers are permitted so I would probably be looking more at your DD’s classmates as a guide.

PandaPieForTea · 01/06/2018 00:05

I was 12, but my assumption for DD is when she is old enough to take herself and pay herself. Which would be about 16. I’m not sure if that will actually work as other friends start to have them done at 10+.

Morphene · 01/06/2018 00:13

I'd get them done when you feel your DD's are old enough to have the message that their looks are all that will ever really matter well and truly rammed down their throats...

Or when you want them to focus more fully on being sexually attractive to men....

Which ever comes sooner...

RedDwarves · 01/06/2018 00:13

I was 7 and most girls had had theirs done by that age.

I think 5+ is fine. I'd be happy for my 5 year old to get her ears pierced if she wanted them done, but I would wait for her to ask of course.

Morphene · 01/06/2018 00:18

its funny how people are more focussed on the pain and keeping it clean aspect of ear piercing...as if that's the worst issue involved for a child.

The fact you are encouraging them down a road of modifying themselves to appear attractive to the male gaze is much more of an issue in reality....

I mean how many people on here saying yeah 5 yo is fine, have had their male children get both ears pierced at that age?

How many male babies get their ears pierced?

Marking your DD's as ornamental from age 5 is a truly terrible thing to do.

TooManyPaws · 01/06/2018 00:56

I had mine done when I was 11 or so. I wanted them done but my mum wasn't keen. Dad supported me as he pointed out that I was old enough to look after them, my grandmothers had pierced ears, and he was fed up of Mum taking off her screw earrings when they were out because they hurt and then panicking she'd lost them...

I've since had another two piercings in each lobe and am looking to get one done on the top and also my nose.

I'll let my friend with the multitude of ear piercings know that she only does it to be attractive to men, @morphene 🤣. It's rather like my tattoos - because WE like the look.

JacquesHammer · 01/06/2018 17:18

The fact you are encouraging them down a road of modifying themselves to appear attractive to the male gaze is much more of an issue in reality...

She wants to be modified to be like me. I get body mods (many facial piercings, large tattoos) for ME not to attract the male gaze.

SezziBaybee · 02/06/2018 00:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the request of the poster.

TheCriminalMind · 02/06/2018 00:31

I have a DS (who’s 2) but I got my ears pierced at 11 at Michael Jones Jewellers (the summer between year 6 and 7). My sister got hers done at the same age.
My mum wanted us to be old enough to look after the piercing ourselves and understand consequences.

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 02/06/2018 00:44

I think 5 is ok

I had mine done at 3 culturally normal iny family