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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DTs came home from PILs today with NAIL VARNISH on...

164 replies

inamuckingfuddle · 07/06/2007 19:15

...and it wasn't their 5 yr old cousin that had put it on them it was their f*ing 58 yr old grandad they're only 3 I'm furious!

OP posts:
bozza · 07/06/2007 19:44

My 3yo regularly wears nail varnish on her toes. I don't allow it on fingers. Not sure why this arbitrary rule.

FrannyandZooey · 07/06/2007 19:44

Well OP I admit if it was my 3 year old dd I wouldn't be chuffed

but I would expect to be in the minority there tbh

FrannyandZooey · 07/06/2007 19:45

LOL Bozza

I have some great rules like that as well

francagoestohollywood · 07/06/2007 19:45

agree with franny.

bozza · 07/06/2007 19:46

also i only allow pink. But as you can imagine don't get much argument on that score from a 3yo girl.

FrannyandZooey · 07/06/2007 19:49

Bizarrely I wouldn't mind a 3 y o boy wearing it, so it must be the get 'em young gender stereotyping I object to

if there was chemical free nail varnish I would let ds wear it

Tommy · 07/06/2007 19:49

I agree with franny and OP too.

I think if this happened to me (although unlikely as only have DSs and the thought of grandad wanting them to wear nail varnish is just too funny to think about)I think I would be rolling my eyes sort of disapproving and just take it off.

PrincessPeaNips · 07/06/2007 19:50

who cares?
my 3yo son pretty much always has strange coloured nails
his 9yo sister does it, mostly. what's the big deal?

Original poster
inamuckingfuddle · 07/06/2007 19:51

it is the stereotyping thing that really gets me I think, my ex-miner FIL would never do this to a boy

OP posts:
HonorMatopoeia · 07/06/2007 19:52

My Dd (2.4) had her nails painted by her auntie (whilst I was sat there). She didn't ask me if she could - she was painting my MIL's toenails at the same time. I must admit I was less than happy but, as you say, didn't intend to fuss. It was kind of worse because it was a deep red colour too (although it was Chanel and I felt a little better it wasn't Rimmel joke!)I'm afraid I'm waiting for it to grow off as I don't want toput nailvarnish remover near her skin. In the meantime I won't let her wear open toe sandals! I know this may seem extreme, but like F&Z I just feel it is in the realm of things that are slightly too grown up for her at the moment. Having said that, I'm sure when she starts asking for them to be done, I won't be able to say no!

misdee · 07/06/2007 19:54

dd3 had her nails painted deep purple the other week. she is 2. i had done mine, dd1+2 wanted theirs done, and she insisted.

essanel · 07/06/2007 19:55

inamuckingfuddle - now that would be a whole different thread ..............

Original poster
inamuckingfuddle · 07/06/2007 19:56

I am concerned about removing it tbh, I don't want it on, but equally don't want to put nasty remover on their skin, esp DT2 who has mild exczema and has is on antibiotics at the mo for an extreme reaction to chicken pox

OP posts:
newlifenewname · 07/06/2007 19:56

My ds who's 3 does his own. He likes sparkly best.

Sugarfree · 07/06/2007 19:56

Ds2 was a big fan of painted nails from 3-5.Given up now he's 7 though.Ds1 was never interested.Ds3 hasn't asked yet,he's 3.
Don't sweat the small stuff,you're going to have teenaged twin daughters one day,save your energy for then.

Original poster
inamuckingfuddle · 07/06/2007 19:57

lol essanel

OP posts:
Original poster
inamuckingfuddle · 07/06/2007 19:57

sugarfree I know - that's why I don't want it to start now

OP posts:
cece · 07/06/2007 20:01

Not read the whole thread but both of mine DD and DS wear nail varnish and have done since they were probably about 18 months. Infact DS and DD are currently sporting a fetching gold on their toes BTW DD is 6 and DS is 3.

cylonbabe · 07/06/2007 20:01

well i didnt know wehether they were girls or boys. it makes no difference at age 3

your fil is painting the nails himself instead of telling them to go to gm as he cant do it because he is a man. that would be gender stereotyping. he isnt. thats what i am saying. so it is good that he isnt.

Cascara · 07/06/2007 20:01

I think it's quite sweet! Maybe he was doing things he thought they would be interested in! Or maybe they just wanted to try it out. DS wants to try my make-up on so I let him.

I think I know where you are coming from though. I think the danger comes, especially with girls, when adults think they look better or prettier with additions like nail varnish and make-up, thus making them feel they should have that kind of thing because they are ugly without it. So then it's not an innocent imitation of adults like so many other things children try, it is actually tying into the early sexualisation of girls and the societal pressures faced by women about their appearance.

cylonbabe · 07/06/2007 20:03

ime, littlies forget about the nailpolish and it sjust comes of by itself.
i dont like remover either, and have never used it for them. it chips and cracks off, and theri nails grow so quickly its hardly there for any time.

cece · 07/06/2007 20:05

Oh I agree have never used remover. It just comes of on it's own, especially during the summer, wearing no socks and shoes as mine do around the house.

LynetteScavo · 07/06/2007 20:06

Ds2 (4) likes a bit af nail varnish, but I only let him have it on his toes

Boredveryverybored · 07/06/2007 20:08

My dd was always having her nails painted when she was littler. Not so much now she's in school.
And in fact my dad was forever putting it on for her, after she did his of course
Poor man went out one day with a different colour on each of his nails because he's forgotton about it. pmsl
I think it's lovely that her grandad is interacting with her, and what little girl doesn't like nail varish!

Desiderata · 07/06/2007 20:09

Am I the only one wondering whether grandad might be a closet tranny