Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not allow DD to have acrylic nails?

71 replies

LeSighh · 09/07/2022 22:17

DD is going on holiday with my ex husband and his wife next week for 2 weeks. Her step mum is a nail technician and has said she will do acrylic nails for my daughter.

I've said no as I think she's too young (she's 14).

Ex husband says he doesn't have a problem with it and DD says I'm not being fair as her dad said it would be ok, plus her friends have had acrylics in the past.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Cloverforever · 09/07/2022 22:18

What's the problem with acrylic nails?

ApolloandDaphne · 09/07/2022 22:19

It's just nails. They grow out. If she wants them let her have them.

Ameanstreakamilewide · 09/07/2022 22:20

You've been painted into a corner, somewhat!

You have the double whammy of 'Daddy said yes' and 'all my friends have had them done'.

NewIdeasToday · 09/07/2022 22:20

I would let her since it’s the school holidays. Her nails will be back to normal by September. Just let her relax and have fun while she’s young.

BurbageBrook · 09/07/2022 22:21

Come on, she’s 14. She’s not getting a belly piercing. It’s nails in the summer holidays. Give her a break and loosen up- 99% of mothers wouldn’t have a problem with this. Is it because you secretly dislike/resent her doing a bonding activity with her step mum?

ellieboolou · 09/07/2022 22:22

I hate fake nails but..... I'd rather her have them done professionally and tell me (me allow it) than feel left out, as long as she gets them taken off professionally too, a one off treat would be ok.

crispsandwichplease · 09/07/2022 22:24

I don't think 14 is too young for acrylics? If it's summer holidays and she's not breaking school rules?

Ask that they're removed professionally by your daughters step mum when they grow out (which should align quite closely with the end of a two week holiday anyway)?

Then you don't have to see them if they're really an issue for you.

Thesearmsofmine · 09/07/2022 22:24

YABU she is 14 and it’s the holidays. Let her have some autonomy. Why can’t she have the nails?

Original poster
LeSighh · 09/07/2022 22:24

BurbageBrook · 09/07/2022 22:21

Come on, she’s 14. She’s not getting a belly piercing. It’s nails in the summer holidays. Give her a break and loosen up- 99% of mothers wouldn’t have a problem with this. Is it because you secretly dislike/resent her doing a bonding activity with her step mum?

No I do not resent her spending time with her step mother. I actually like how they have a good relationship.

I just don't think she's old enough to look after them. She had gel polish before but just chewed it off and damaged her nails.

OP posts:
ShaneTwane · 09/07/2022 22:24

She's 14 and her stepmothers doing them. Stop being so overbearing or you will damage your relationship with her.

alphapie · 09/07/2022 22:25

YABU

It's not your call, dad can decide what's appropriate during his contact time.

And at 14 this is very silly tbh, I could understand your concern if she was 4

ApolloandDaphne · 09/07/2022 22:26

Damaged nails grow back though. I've damaged mine from time to time but they always grow back nicely.

2pinkginsplease · 09/07/2022 22:26

Unfortunately when she is with her dad you have no say in what happens.

im not a fan of teens having acrylics however it’s a one off for her holidays.

Discovereads · 09/07/2022 22:29

I agree with you OP. Acrylic nails are very damaging to the natural nail and I would not let my DD get them either.
uk.news.yahoo.com/ask-derm-acrylic-nails-bad-180000909.html

Original poster
LeSighh · 09/07/2022 22:34

Discovereads · 09/07/2022 22:29

I agree with you OP. Acrylic nails are very damaging to the natural nail and I would not let my DD get them either.
uk.news.yahoo.com/ask-derm-acrylic-nails-bad-180000909.html

Thanks!

I said to get some of the stick on nails from primark as they have loads! I said in pictures, no one will know they're stick ons. This is obviously a ridiculous suggestion on my behalf Hmm

OP posts:
parenthood1989 · 09/07/2022 22:35

I just don't think she's old enough to look after them.

And if she doesn't she will probably not get them again, which is a basic life lesson.

I

crispsandwichplease · 09/07/2022 22:38

don't think she's old enough to look after them

They're plastic nails, not a baby? What is your concern?

NewIdeasToday · 09/07/2022 22:38

I have acrylic nails and love them. They are much easier to look after than gel nails. So the fact previous gel nails didn’t work is irrelevant.

Honestly as the parent of a teenager you need to pick your battles. Let her have this one and enjoy her nails.

Pottedpalm · 09/07/2022 22:39

I wouldn’t allow it; don’t they weaken the nails?
she could have a manicure and ordinary polish . Properly applied and left to dry with a good top coat they last a while,

Ihatethenewlook · 09/07/2022 22:40

Discovereads · 09/07/2022 22:29

I agree with you OP. Acrylic nails are very damaging to the natural nail and I would not let my DD get them either.
uk.news.yahoo.com/ask-derm-acrylic-nails-bad-180000909.html

You are aware that nails grow? Any ‘damage’ will be gone in a couple of weeks. My 11yo got acrylics with French tips today for her prom. How do you think they need looking after exactly?

letsplanaholiday · 09/07/2022 22:42

I agree, pick your battles. Let her have them on provision they are removed 2 weeks before going back to school so that her damaged nails can grow a bit. She'll learn her own lesson if they do damage her nails (the damage will grow out) but she'll feel confident and grown up with them for a few weeks.

ManateeFair · 09/07/2022 22:42

14 is the minimum age for acrylics in the place I go to.

They can certainly damage nails a bit, but if stepmum is a nail tech she will presumably also be able to remove them properly for her and help with aftercare and they grow back fine. For a holiday treat I’d let her have them.

Also - I know you say she chewed off her gel polish, but acrylics are quite different from gel. Gel polish often lifts a little at the cuticle when it grows out which means you can pick it/chew bits off. But that doesn’t happen with acrylics. Acrylics don’t really need looking after once applied and you can’t really wreck them easily at all unless you’re doing heavy manual stuff or playing contact sports.

Afterfire · 09/07/2022 22:42

I think you need to smile, nod and let her get them. It’s just nails!

5thHelena · 09/07/2022 22:44

What looking after do they need? They're acrylic nails? They grow out.

SpaceJamtart · 09/07/2022 22:45

Stick on nails fall off as soon as you use your hands,
Acrylics are fine, they are not hard to take care of and even if she damages her nails, damage is temporary and they would grow out pretty soon.

It's a bit weird and overbearing to stop her doing something that is not permanent, won't affect you at all, and is a normal thing that lots of teenagers do.