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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:
mummypotpot · 07/06/2007 20:52

DD came home from PILs with nail varnish on when she was about 2/3 and I felt uncomfortable. Til I realised she wasn't doing it for vanity. Now at 3.5 her and her best friend disappear up to the bedroom, put on princess dresses and plaster themselves in kiddie make-up. Even my husband puts it on her now because all she wants to be is a princess. I on the other hand, rarely wear make-up, always make a hash of it when I try and paint my nails and was admonished by DD for not having any pretty dresses so she doesn't get it from me! Girls will be girls...

oliveoil · 07/06/2007 20:55

I don't let mine wear it - 4 and 2

mainly because of the STINKING nail varnish remover to get it off

if I could find some childrens stuff maybe

but it looks odd imo

fishie · 07/06/2007 20:58

yesterday i saw a toddler girl with full hair extensions now that is something to worry about, poor little thing it must have taken ages and i bet it hurt, they were all braided in.

ds has no interest in nail varnish or i'd do his like a shot. i did the dog's claws once.

Waswondering · 07/06/2007 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hulababy · 07/06/2007 21:00

I don't think it is a big deal. To stop DD biting her nails we used the nail polish card - a little bit at weekends (Barbie nailpolish peels/wears off in a few hours and comes in very pale colours you can hardly see)if she didn't bite. She'd have been 3 around this time I guess. Worked a treat too She's never been allowed to wear it properly, just as a bit of fun and dress up. If I knew we were going out and about polish went on toes rather than fingers generally.

DD isn't allowed to wear real make up. Just dress up fun bits when playing make believe (princesses, etc.) - this polish stuff and a bit of lip gloss. Not for going out though.

I think you are being too hard on grandad. They were just having a bit of fun. I doubt he meant any harm by it and I would imagine he'd be upset that he has made you so cross.

OK, you don't like it. So tell FIL that you would rather they didn't have nail polish in future.

Rachmumoftwo · 07/06/2007 21:07

What a nice grandad to do something so attentive as to paint their nails. If you are upset, next time ask him to just do their toes.

heifer · 07/06/2007 21:17

I hate the thought of my DD (3.5) wearing make up - BUT have relented on having her toe nails done..

We had such fun (and I am not a girly girl)..

She knows that I will not agree to fingernails, but toe nails ok (as can't be seen my anyone but us)...

Was surprised just how excited she was and how much fun it was..

morningpaper · 07/06/2007 21:18

I paint DD's sparkly pink in her sleep

Then it dries neatly and I tell her that the Fairies did it

AngharadGoldenhand · 07/06/2007 21:22

inamuckingfuddle - your post of 19.21 mentioned a girl...

Roobie · 07/06/2007 21:27

I think nail varnish on little kids looks hideous - but each to their own. I certainly won't be encouraging dd to mess around with makeup - when she asks about it we'll cross that bridge. I understand that most of the time its applied as a bit of fun though and not intended to look classy or normal .....

nooka · 07/06/2007 21:38

I would have agreed with the OP, but it is quite a fun thing to do, and the point of grandparents is that they let you do things that your parent's don't issn't it? We've generally stuck to tonails, because then we can do silly colours. I wear makeup once in a blue moon, and then pretty much only nail polish, so neither dd or ds have much choice anyway. I thik they enjoy the painting bit most, and it's much less faff than getting out the face painting kit!

MadLabOwner · 07/06/2007 22:25

inamuckingfuddle - completely understand why you reacted that way, and agree wholeheartedly. Would have been a lot of shouting at PIL and rushing out to buy polish remover if this had happened to me!

Who would have guessed that nail varnish for tinies could polarise people so?

RosaLuxembourg · 07/06/2007 22:44

Morningpaper - do you really? I think that is lovely but I wouldn't dare try. I just reply to all the letters to the fairies that DD2 leaves under the pillow.

Megglevache · 07/06/2007 22:46

Message withdrawn

lyrabelacqua · 07/06/2007 22:51

My DSs (4 and 2) have both worn nail varnish on their toes because they were fascinated seeing me put it on. It came off after a few days. Can't see the harm really if it's a one-off.

bozza · 07/06/2007 22:53

ELC do some gentle stuff. I hardly ever use it because the brushes are rubbish.

DaisyMOO · 07/06/2007 22:58

Sometimes I read threads like this and decide that when/if my sons have children I won't offer to look after them because no doubt something I do will be Terribly Wrong and cause Great Consternation and Offence.

I do see why you wouldn't like, however I think in the big scheme of things it is a teeny tiny issue and that your children are really lucky to have a grandfather who wants to spend time with them and make them happy.

agnesnitt · 07/06/2007 23:00

My four year old hasn't the foggiest idea what nail varnish is, therefore if she came home from anywhere wearing it I would be livid. It's just not necessary.

Agnes

unknownrebelbang · 07/06/2007 23:03

Poor grandad!

lyrabelacqua · 07/06/2007 23:16

IMO little ones wearing nail varnish is no different to them walking around the house in mummys shoes. Just a bit of fun.

hotchocscot · 07/06/2007 23:46

morningpaper, that is so sweet! i love that idea, may I pinch it?

zookeeper · 07/06/2007 23:50

Exactly how I feel but better said Daisymoo

fortyplus · 08/06/2007 00:50

I agree, too. I don't like to see young girls tarted up, but this falls into the category of 'dressing up'. What a lovely grandad.

alipiggie · 08/06/2007 03:22

Don't come to my house then, my ds's both wear my nailvarnish, lipstick and other makeup. Don't see what's the harm in it. All children should be allowed to experiment with all sorts of things

alipiggie · 08/06/2007 03:24

Oh and before I get jumped on - I mean in the dress up / make-up way. And just seeing my ds2's face with my lipstick applied livens and brightens my day tremendously.