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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To paint my 3 year olds nails?

20 replies

AmandaPleaseDotCom · 02/10/2024 10:37

Just that. Mum thinks I'm very unreasonable and its akin to letting her wear make up.

She's always loved playing with my nail varnish collection, picking her favourite colours and watching me do my nails and on the weekend asked me to do hers so I did. She chose bright pink and sat so still while they dried, I've never seen her so still! She's absolutely chuffed with them and shows everyone she sees.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Littletoaster2021 · 02/10/2024 10:39

I bought my daughter some child friendly nail varnish when she was 2 1/2 and she goes through phases where she’s obsessed with it and then forgets about it for a few months. I always worry about her picking up on beauty standards etc but I think this is harmless. Would be different if you were imposing it upon her!

Blusterydaytodaypoohbear · 02/10/2024 10:40

I had a teen dd then 2 dd's.. They loved sitting with big dsis while she painted their toes!! Have some lovely photos of them sat proudly showing them off!

takealettermsjones · 02/10/2024 10:42

It's fine!

Overthebow · 02/10/2024 10:43

It’s fine but get some child nail varnishes

ButtSurgery · 02/10/2024 10:46

I had it when I was a teeny kid in the 80s, it's not some new modern thing, don't worry!

But u would have get kid friendly stuff, not proper varnishes.

Elderberrier · 02/10/2024 10:47

Totally fine and I’d expect most to agree with you. Do you know, I always had a thing about kids wearing make up and said no if they asked, then last yr a friend brought her 5yr old to my youngests’ birthday party and she’d obviously slapped on her own glittery eyeshadow and blusher. She was so proud and it was so cute. My older DD had started saying ‘make up is stupid’ and being all judgy, even though I’d not said that. After that I thought maybe I was being a bit uptight, wanted to teach them everything in moderation, and got them a wee make up set. They love it for special occasions.

Alicana · 02/10/2024 10:49

Not at all! Children just want to copy you. I got some wash off stuff for my son. We all had a great time painting his nails, and Mummy and Daddy’s!

MrsSunshine2b · 02/10/2024 10:51

I let my 4yo wear make-up and nail varnish if she wants to. I don't see make-up as an age-limited thing, it's just creative play in my mind. It's not as though she doesn't think she's pretty without make-up, she just thinks it's also fun to have sparkly eyelids or lips or whatever. I like wearing make-up too- it's no different to wearing nice clothes or having a nice hair cut. I wouldn't bother with child nail varnish, it's useless. As long as she's past the stage of putting her fingers in her mouth, real nail varnish isn't an issue in my mind.

OolongTeaDrinker · 02/10/2024 11:06

Nothing wrong with that at all if they are child friendly and non toxic nail varnish brands you are using. Is your mum some kind of puritan as that’s such a weird thing to disapprove of..

Skyrainlight · 02/10/2024 11:44

I would paint them but make sure I chose a less toxic nail varnish. As far as I know Zoya brand is better than a lot of them.

Fastback · 02/10/2024 12:32

Well, I wouldn’t. But as long as it’s largely non-toxic and certainly not gel, it probably won’t hurt.

DiscoBeat · 02/10/2024 12:41

Totally fine! Both my boys wanted their toes painted when they were little, we did that, no harm done! It's not like you're going full on foundation and mascara!

Errors · 02/10/2024 12:51

I think it’s absolutely fine OP but I wouldn’t mind betting that you’ll get some OTT posts about how you’re indoctrinating her in to being oppressed by the patriarchy for holding high standards of beauty for girls and women or some bollocks

Alicana · 02/10/2024 13:09

Errors · 02/10/2024 12:51

I think it’s absolutely fine OP but I wouldn’t mind betting that you’ll get some OTT posts about how you’re indoctrinating her in to being oppressed by the patriarchy for holding high standards of beauty for girls and women or some bollocks

Well there haven’t been any so far and myself and another poster have said our sons have requested this and we are happy to oblige!!

DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace · 02/10/2024 13:17

Can I ask what the issue is with regular nail varnishes? My 5 year old likes having her done - she picks a different colour for each finger at the start of any school holidays. But I just use my standard nail varnish, not a kids' brand. Should I switch?

TheBirdintheCave · 02/10/2024 13:36

Aww my son (nearly four) loves having his nails painted. I don't see the harm in it :)

hydriotaphia · 02/10/2024 13:48

I painted my one year old son's toenails just the other morning! (He was jealous of his big sister...)

YankSplaining · 02/10/2024 13:56

My mother was like yours, and I never got to wear nail polish until I was around ten. I didn’t think I needed nail polish to look pretty or anything - it just looked fun!

I think it’s fine, as long as your daughter isn’t limiting her activities to keep her nail polish unchipped.

Whoyoutakingto · 02/10/2024 13:56

hydriotaphia · 02/10/2024 13:48

I painted my one year old son's toenails just the other morning! (He was jealous of his big sister...)

I used to do this he is 31 now, I miss those days

Whoyoutakingto · 02/10/2024 13:59

TheBirdintheCave · 02/10/2024 13:36

Aww my son (nearly four) loves having his nails painted. I don't see the harm in it :)

My son did too, My ExH wasn’t happy though but I wanted to be inclusive

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