in refusing to face paint a 6 week old?

[quickdrawmcgraw]

I was face painting at a local fete today and a young mum asked me to paint her 6 week old baby's face . I was a bit shocked and said no straight away. i mean why on earth would she want the poor baby's face painted? Anyway he was asleep so I thought she was mad to even think of it.
I was right wasn't I?

F and Z, had a tiny xmas tree painted on her cheek when she was 18m. Her brother was having his face done and she wanted to join in. It was fine.
She also had a flower on her hand last week when she was 2.
Lots of toddlers hate the idea but there are loads who will think its great.

Oh and re the OP. YANBU.

"If you were serving food, would you refuse to serve food if you though it was inappropriate for children (health wise) or would you leave that to the parents choice. "

Erm...no, I wouldn't serve inappropiate food to children, no. Even if it is just because I don't want to set a precedent with DS.

I have been asked to give a esspresso to a 2 year old... it may be the way things are done in France or in the house of this family. But no, I politely refused and served something different.

i'm always wary of painting babies, because they could suddenly move too. if a parent is insistent i let them do it themselves.

if the child suddenly did get a reaction or a poke in the eye from the brush. whose fault would it be?

I think as a professional providing a service it would be irresponsible to agree to act in a way that is likely to be harmful to your customers, even at their request. Painting a six week old's face is really not a good idea and I would expect any professional face painter to decline to do it.

DS got his face painted for the first time when he was 2 and 3/4. I grappled with myself for a while as I was worried he was too young. however he wanted it, I knew he'd sit still and enjoy being ????(spiderman on this occasion), and he enjoyed having it on as he really thought he was spiderman. Surely face painting should be for the child's enjoyment as much as the parents?

Exactly floss.

For the child's enjoyment.

I am a professional face painter and any professional would not face paint anyone under the age of two minimum. Some painters won't even do under 3's. Their skin is more sensitive and also insurance companies don't like it as many paints say not suitable for under 3's.

Anyone face painting responsibly should have insurance of at least 2 million, use one sponge per child and proper paints for face painting.

You were unquestionably right. I had my 19mth olds face painted and she sat really lovely while it was done, however, she then decided to rub her eyes smearing paint into them. Its about the maturity of the child more than age IMO. They need to understand not to rub their face for safety.