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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To let DS go to school with painted nails?

68 replies

weyede1442 · 19/11/2022 17:51

Looking to see what other parents would do

DS is 14, he went to see his friends this afternoon and came home with painted nails which is fine of course and I have no issue with it. But he's said he wants to have them painted on Monday for school. I mentioned school might not allow it to try and change his mind and he said they do.

DP thinks we should just let him but I'm worried in case he gets bullied or changes his mind before he gets there etc.

Should we just let him?

OP posts:
RambamThankyouMam · 19/11/2022 17:52

No pupils - male or female - should be wearing nail polish to school.

CatherinedeBourgh · 19/11/2022 17:53

He's 14, more than old enough to make his own decisions on this and deal with any consequences.

blueluce85 · 19/11/2022 17:53

I assume it will be against their uniform policy, so I would not allow it either on a boy or girl!

Oysterbabe · 19/11/2022 17:53

Is it allowed? Against uniform policy at our school. No one would give a fuck about a boy having painted nails though if that was your concern.

Fizzadora · 19/11/2022 17:53

Depends what the school rules are. If girls can't have painted nails then neither can boys. He will get the piss taken out of him though.

saveforthat · 19/11/2022 17:53

I would think at 14 it's difficult to stop him doing this if he wants to. Are children allowed to wear nail varnish to school nowadays (boys or girls)

Everydayimhuffling · 19/11/2022 17:54

If his school don't object then I would let him. He's 14: I expect he already knows whether or not he will be or cares about being teased for this.

ScottishInSwitzerland · 19/11/2022 17:54

I would check the school rules. But if it’s allowed at school I think I would have a chat with him and make sure he’s aware he might get a bit of grief from classmates. Then let him. He’s 14, this is part of his journey of starting to express himself and make some decisions for himself.

Greytea · 19/11/2022 17:55

If school allow it, then it’s fine. I’m sure a14-year-old will know how it’s likely to go down among his friends, other students, teachers etc, and he wants to go ahead.

eurochick · 19/11/2022 17:56

If it's not against uniform policy that's fine. But I would think most schools ban it.

DuplicateUserName · 19/11/2022 17:56

He's 14. If he thinks he knows the school rules and they allow it then let him do it.

If the school give him a detention, back the school.

If you're worried about kids taking the piss, again he's 14 and he knows his peers better than you do.

Sirzy · 19/11/2022 17:56

I would just make it clear to him that if he gets punished for breaking the uniform rules then that’s on him and he has to take it without complaint

tiggergoesbounce · 19/11/2022 17:57

As others have said i can't see it being part of the uniform policy.

And yes i would also worry about hom being picked on for it, but at 14 he probably knows if he will or not and is happy to do it regardless. So i would have to very reluctantly allow him to if its within school policy.

LadyApplejack · 19/11/2022 18:01

It'd be a no from me

PortalooSunset · 19/11/2022 18:02

I'd let him face the consequences, from peers and school staff alike.

Chattycathydoll · 19/11/2022 18:03

Our local area it’s very normal for boys and girls to have painted nails, no one would take the piss out of him for it. I often see them on the bus, some schools uniforms very lax. Depends on uniform policy though.

IncompleteSenten · 19/11/2022 18:05

Do the school uniform rules say anything about painted nails?
If they are not allowed then they are not allowed for your son. He doesn't get to ignore the rules because he's a big old rebel smashing gender stereotypes one pink nail at a time..

If they are allowed then if he wants to, it's up to him. It's really not a big deal. I was a teen in the 80s where half the lads were wearing more make up than me. Teens have always been the same.

girlmom21 · 19/11/2022 18:06

Let him wear it. If it's against school policy he'll be told to take it off.

Testina · 19/11/2022 18:09

He’s been there long enough to know what the reaction will be.
Let him decide.
That’s assuming it’s allowed at his school as you’ve posted.
I would though get him some removal pads for his bag, so that if he has a wobble he can change his mind easily.

Artygirlghost · 19/11/2022 18:10

''@RambamThankyouMam · Today 17:52
No pupils - male or female - should be wearing nail polish to school.''

Why? are we suddenly under Taliban rule?

Unless there is something specific in the school policy about nail polish, I don't see any issue with a 14 year old wearing polish on their nails.

It baffles me how anyone would think that it will have any impact on their learning whatsoever...

floradora · 19/11/2022 18:12

RambamThankyouMam · 19/11/2022 17:52

No pupils - male or female - should be wearing nail polish to school.

Goodness. I teach (and am a senior leader) young people (11-18) and I frankly couldn't care less what colour their nails, hair or clothes are.

Sprogonthetyne · 19/11/2022 18:14

If it allowed, then no problem but I'd be surprised if it wasn't against school policy. Check the school website, there's probably a copy of the uniform policy.

Ericaequites · 19/11/2022 18:18

Check the school dress code. If girls are allowed nail polish, he may wear it to school. If girls are not allowed nail polish, he should take it off before attending school. There’s no point in your son flouting school rules, and receive a lecture or have a detention

monicagellerbing · 19/11/2022 18:21

My 10 year son often wears black nail polish to school! Nothing wrong with it

cansu · 19/11/2022 18:26

If it isn't allowed then yes it would be unreasonable to tell him it's OK to leave it on.