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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say no to nail extensions

41 replies

WhoKnewBeefStew · 31/08/2019 16:05

My dd starts secondary school next week. Like all her friends she’s becoming more self conscious and I’m trying to remember what it was like trying to fit in, hormones etc, so I do try to be reasonable.

Experimenting with clothes, hair and make up seems to be the norm, with her and her friends, and I pick my battles, but I’ve drawn the line at nail extensions, which I’m constantly being asked for.

A lot of her friends are having them done, but I’m saying no. I’m happy for her to use nail varnish etc, but I think 11 is just too young (plus I’m not sure school will allow it). AIBU or simply an old fuddy duddy?

Ironically I’m sat waiting to have my nails done as I type this - monkey see, monkey do maybe?

OP posts:
theconstantinoplegardener · 31/08/2019 16:12

I agree with you. Surely nail extensions will get in the way once she has to write lots, fast, when school starts next week? My DD's school (secondary, state) doesn't even allow nail varnish.

Would she be happy with you teaching her how to file and buff her nails, and tidy her cuticles, so they look natural but also attractive?

Sciurus83 · 31/08/2019 16:15

11 is far too young I agree with you and I don't care if that makes me a fuddy duddy because it's me who would be paying so I get a say!

Pinkypurple35 · 31/08/2019 16:17

It’s too young IMO and acrylics are categorically banned at my DS’ school. Girls get suspended for having these until they are removed.

Sirzy · 31/08/2019 16:19

Yanbu.

My sister is a nail technician and she wouldn’t agree to do extensions for a young child.

When I was at school we weren’t even allowed nail varnish let alone 11 year olds with extensions

OurChristmasMiracle · 31/08/2019 16:19

YANBU. I know for a fact we weren’t allowed them (it was my teenage rebellion to grow my nails long because we wasn’t allowed!)

I also think that 11 is too Young

HeadintheiClouds · 31/08/2019 16:20

I’d be very surprised if they’re allowed at school Shock

AfterSchoolWorry · 31/08/2019 16:21

Tell her she can have stick ons from primark.

IHaveBrilloHair · 31/08/2019 16:22

Yeah, 11 is a bit young.
Tell her if she wants long nails to look after hers and grown them.
I have nail extension length natural nails.

scarecrowhead · 31/08/2019 16:23

Surely she'll just get told to remove them by school ?

Purpletigers · 31/08/2019 16:25

Nail extensions at 11 ? You’re the parent , just say no . Does she really want to look like all the other sheep ?

twilightcafe · 31/08/2019 16:25

Nail extensions? At 11? Confused
YANBU

thismeansnothing · 31/08/2019 16:25

My sister raves about the cheap stick on ones from Primark. Could you let her have those? And let her apply on the Friday afternoon, discover they are a PITA and you literally can't do anything with them on and she hopefully wants them taken off by Monday???

Heatherjayne1972 · 31/08/2019 16:29

It’s been made crystal clear that they Wouldn’t be allowed in our school.

As a compromise could you book her in for a proper manicure maybe get her nails buffed and shaped

Bringonspring · 31/08/2019 16:32

Say no but maybe set s timeframe as to when. My parents did that for me and having my ears pierced (I think to stop me asking)!

Purplejay · 31/08/2019 16:32

I pay 30 every 3 weeks for nail extensions. It was my treat to myself from my last promotion. It’s s big expense to spend on an 11 yo or does she mean as a one off? You can get stuck on ones in primark and they look pretty good. Some of my friends let their DDs have gel polish on occasions - Christmas, holidays. Don’t know anyone who let their 11 yo have extensions. Maybe teach her how to grow them?

As for the school, it depends on them. They would be allowed at DS’s secondary. They have no uniform and allow coloured hair etc which lots of schools don’t.

katmarie · 31/08/2019 16:33

It took my nails over a year to recover from having extensions. They're still not really right 18 months later. I cant imagine they would be any gentler on a childs nails.

Plus they will require infills every few weeks so as well as the initial cost there is ongoing maintenance to pay for. Who would be paying for that?

HeadintheiClouds · 31/08/2019 16:33

God, they only last three weeks?? Pretty high maintenance for a pre teen Hmm

doadeer · 31/08/2019 16:36

My nail place wouldn't do them for an 11 year old and surprised the school let her?! I think that's really young.... And acrylics do weaken the natural nail so definately wouldn't let me daughter.

doadeer · 31/08/2019 16:36

My*

MimsyBorogroves · 31/08/2019 16:39

Acrylics/extensions/whatever banned in our school. Students are asked to file them down/remove.

Moominfan · 31/08/2019 16:39

Could you compromise on shellac?

AliciaQuays · 31/08/2019 16:40

Prob banned at school. Ours are

filka · 31/08/2019 16:40

I can't think why anyone of any age thinks it's attractive to stick long bits of plastic on your fingers, or good for your health to dunk them in acetone to get them off. Ugh!!

dollydaydream114 · 31/08/2019 16:42

The salon I go to won’t do nail extensions on kids that young, only manicures.

As others have said, she probably won’t be allowed them at school anyway. I have a friend with an older teen who let her have extensions at the start of the holidays as a summer treat, but not in term time.

IHaveBrilloHair · 31/08/2019 16:43

I like the look of them, I'm just lucky that mine grow to that length.
I don't have shellac or anything though as I don't let anyone else touch them!