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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To make DS go to college tomorrow with painted nails?

98 replies

saehe · 05/09/2021 19:36

DS is 16, he's got his first day of college tomorrow.

Every first day back at school, he'd always say he didn't want to go, and this year is the same, although this time it's college.

DP has agreed to take him but DS is still saying he doesn't want to go, so me and DP have a feeling he's going to refuse to go tomorrow.

Anyway, he went to meet up with his friend, he got back and his nails are painted, I told him I don't have any nail varnish remover and he seemed fine with it, he then comes to me and tells me he can't go to college tomorrow with his nails painted as it's his first day and people will laugh at him and he doesn't want them to know he's bisexual.

He has his nails painted occasionally, but not often at all and I suspect this time he's done it so he has an excuse to not go to college.

WIBU to make him go to college with painted nails? As he agreed to them being painted, so surely he should take the consequences or is that too mean as its his first day with new people?

I'm in two minds so I could do with opinions! Or any tips on how to get the nail varnish off as I've already told him to wash his hands with warm water but it hasn't worked.

OP posts:
ISpyCobraKai · 05/09/2021 19:39

Dd's Bf has his nails painted sometimes he's heterosexual.

Ponoka7 · 05/09/2021 19:39

You can't make him go, this could start serious bullying. Has he chosen the college and course, or have you? Don't you have a local co-op type shop that sells nail varnish remover, or any friends/neighbours you could ask? You need to address his not wanting to go and what he'll do instead.

VaguelyInteresting · 05/09/2021 19:40

Tbh painted nails doesn’t mean anything these days. Very masculine, straight (married with two kids) driving instructor picked me up with painted navy nails yesterday. 🤷🏼‍♀️

If your DS is uncomfortable, it’s probably kinder to sort it out for him though. Just you know, to be nice.

TheStudyOfLife · 05/09/2021 19:40

In the interest of getting him into college (the priority), but not making it socially uncomfortable for him (which would be counterproductive), I'd yank him out of bed at 7am and take him to the nearest supermarket.

You become the super supportive parent going out of your way to help him, and he becomes a kid with no excuse not to go to college Smile

delilahbucket · 05/09/2021 19:40

Short of him going to a supermarket before college he's not really going to have a choice in the matter. Does he have any friends locally he can ask for remover?

Acunningruse · 05/09/2021 19:41

I would borrow some from a neighbor or drive to a Tesco express type shop to get nail polish remover so he has zero excuse not to go tomorrow.

TheStudyOfLife · 05/09/2021 19:41

Alternatively, soak in a hot bath then scratch or peel off.

MurielsWedding · 05/09/2021 19:42

No I wouldn't. He probably didn't think it through when he decided to paint them. It's a small decision which I would compare to what to have for lunch rather than whether to get your ears pierced.

It's only 7:40 so I'd encourage him to sort it out himself by finding a shop that's open or walking to a friends house.

seaandsandcastles · 05/09/2021 19:42

Just go and get some nail polish remover.

beautifullymad · 05/09/2021 19:42

Try alcohol gel if you have any. Or clear nail varnish put on thickly then wiped off before it sets also works.

Soubriquet · 05/09/2021 19:43

Get him to swing by the supermarket on the way to college tomorrow.

AlvinSimonTheo · 05/09/2021 19:43

Get some remover would be the easy solution

Comedycook · 05/09/2021 19:44

I used hairspray to get nail varnish out of my carpet...it might work on nails if you have some

IncessantNameChanger · 05/09/2021 19:45

There will be a corner shop somewhere that's sells it, or ask on your FB community group. No one has to know it's your son who needs it for school.

My son is heterosexual and wears nail varnish occasionally. He goes to a catholic all boys school and I would just send him in. I dont think he would be bullied, maybe blocked by his teachers but that would be his choice for getting them.painted the night before he went back.

I think he has badly though through a excuse to not go in. But the longer he leaves it, the worse it will be.

I feel for you, my eldest was a school refused. He is totally changed at college

LemonViolet · 05/09/2021 19:45

Do you have any high % alcohol hand sanitizer, like the 70% stuff, can take some nail varnish off. I have found :-(

TinaYouFatLard · 05/09/2021 19:46

Wet nail varnish can work as remover. Slap
It on and wipe.

Dollywilde · 05/09/2021 19:47

Yeah remover tomorrow.

Tbh I think if he feels he can just own it he’ll make life far easier at college for himself in the long run - anyone who judges a boy for wearing varnish isn’t someone he wants to be friends with tbh. Although I do remember being 16 and I know it’s not that straightforward at the time!

MiddleClassProblem · 05/09/2021 19:47

Painted nails has no indication on sexuality.

If it’s anything like my college, quite a few boys had painted nails. They were often more into indie music or heavy metal or musicians themselves. But no one bullied them, it was quite the opposite, it was a place that people could really be themselves.

Dollywilde · 05/09/2021 19:48

Also yeah, what @MiddleClassProblem says. I know times change but there were stack of boys wearing guy liner when I started college, of all specialities, and that was in 2005 Blush

Dollywilde · 05/09/2021 19:48

Sexualises! Not specialties Grin

ShowMeHow · 05/09/2021 19:52

Well of course he is going to college regardless!!!

However at 16 if he wants to remove the nail varnish first he’ll need to leave early and find a suitable shop to buy nail varnish remover pads or something. Or pop back to the friend who probably can help!

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 05/09/2021 19:55

They have it in the co op near me so if check your local one, ours is open till 10pm on Sundays. Otherwise look for a Tesco petrol station or get some before school tomorrow.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 05/09/2021 19:57

At 6th form college in 2021?! No one's going to give a shit that he's got painted nails!!

ittakes2 · 05/09/2021 19:59

alchol should do it too? Do you have alchol wipes for injections or just dab some vodka etc on a tissue.

HemanOrSheRa · 05/09/2021 19:59

Uh. DS is starting college tomorrow and started his similar nonsense earlier. Didn't paint his nails though! We have just planned his early morning schedule with him down to the last minute with no room for fucking about. So I'd get some remover from somewhere, if I were you! Problem solved! How fantastic!