Temporary tatoos on playdate

[Sprogonthetyne]

Worried I might have messed up. DD (4) had a friend round for a few hours today, first time with this particular friend, but on friendly terms with her mum from the various class parties we've both sat through.

WIBU to send this kid home with temporary tatoos and kids nail varnish? I totally didn't think about it when the girls were playing dress up/ beauty salon, but it just down on me that not all parents are OK with that stuff.

I’d be absolutely fine with that, especially during the school holidays.

I think it would depend on how well you know the child and the parents. Some kids have very sensitive skin so might not be ok with tattoos.

Absolutely fine with that here.... Not like you sent off with a red bull. Other mum is most likely (or should be) thankfully for the child care!

I don’t think you’ve been unreasonable to let 4 year olds play with these things. If the other parent has an issue that’s on them and it sounds like they shouldn’t let their child on play dates.

I would ask the parents first, some people are particularly funny about things like that, I'm not but some are.

Any parent who would kick up a fuss about that would get a big eye roll from me… sounds like they had fun

Wouldnt bother me at all! Sounds like a lovely play date!

I’d probably check if I was hosting the kids, but I’d be fine with my child coming home dolled up. Especially in the holidays as I would be worried about scrubbing it off before school!

YABU, plenty don’t allow them or have concerns about allergies. I would be annoyed as I never allowed makeup and spent weeks treating eczema flare ups when transfers were used.You need to ask the parent for permission.

I'd have sent a quick text to ask, because I know some children who react to them.
I've also known one child say she couldn't on religious grounds. (But she also tried to claim she wasn't allowed vegetables for the same reason, so I'm not sure if that was entirely true)

I wouldn’t mind.

If you wanted to take the edge off it you could message along the lines of ‘Wonderful to see X today, the girls had so much fun. I hope you don’t mind but they played salons and used some kiddie nail varnish and temporary tattoos. They easily scrub off. If it’s a problem do let me know and I’ll hide them before the next play date’

While parents who don’t have the manners nor cop on to ask permission would be getting an earful from me. Surely you considered other parents have different rules?

@Mop33444 I think the onus is on the parent of the child with allergies/sensitive skin to inform others rather than expecting them to check. My son had terrible eczema when he was little and I always mentioned to others looking after him that he wasn’t allowed to use normal soap etc.

@Mop33444 - and that would be the end of your child’s play dates …

Yes some parents are pedantic and let’s be honest….snobs. These are the exact type of parents to not get involved with.

It’s the duty of the parent leaving the child at the play date to notify if any allergies or any specific rules. You can’t be expected to ask about every play item the kids use.

The kids had fun, that’s a good thing! Don’t worry OP

I’d be delighted that my child had been invited, and had a lovely time!

And you think your rules should apply wherever?
Nah.
What's that MN phrase? My house, my rules

I'd check with the parents first. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Nail polish is fine but temp tattoos are a no-no in our household as we do not want to encourage their acceptance.

I think YANBU but I don't have any allergies to consider so maybe that's just a lack of perspective. Odds are you'll be fine but you could drop a text to check.

I wouldn’t be thrilled, especially the tattoos, in my experience they last a couple of weeks and are a complete pain to get off. My daughter is in a wedding next weekend, I’d be unimpressed if I had to try and get fake tattoos off her. And I think four is too young for nail polish.

Lots of people wouldn’t care though. I wouldn’t make a big deal about it and it wouldn’t impact on the kids’ friendship or anything - but I’d probably ask you not to do it again if my kid went on another play date to your house. In general I think anything that involves kids skin or hair you ought to ask permission first - face paint, hair chalk etc included.

Yes, who knows what a unicorn temporary tattoo can lead to in the future……..great parenting

I’ve sent a child home with blue hair in the past

Not a biggie in school holidays. More of a pain if they have school (or Cousin Rose’s wedding) the next day as then there’s a lot of bathtime scrubbing required.

Yes, who would invite a child back whose parents had given them an earful after they hosted their child.

I wouldn't be keen on the nail polish and would prefer you to have checked first but assuming DC was happy with it, it wouldn't be a deal breaker or affect any future play dates etc. I'd be happy my child had been invited over to play.