5 year old gel nails - is just once ok?

[ChronicallyOnLime]

God I don’t want to sound like an awful mother because I know gels can weaken nails.. but will one time be ok?

We’re off to Disneyland next week as a surprise for DD and she is utterly obsessed with having her nails done, we always use regular polish for her but they never last more than a day or two. I do my own gels at home for special occasions and I’m wondering whether I could do it on DD just for our trip?

I can avoid filing her nails surface as it’s not necessarily being done for that much longevity as you would an adult. But I’m just wondering if it’s still a terrible idea?

WTF? Gel nails on a 5-year-old? You cannot be serious!!

are people genuinely that surprised that a 5 year old girl is into hair, makeup and nails?

Yes. Have daughters. Adults now. It would not have occurred to them to be into hair, make up and nails. Nor any of their friends.
I have never heard anything so ridiculous.

Just, why. Why is it necessary?

God, I'm really old.
This is all so inconceivable to me.

Sure, wreck your 5 year old's nails because Disney!!!

🤡

It's too much, that's why. Plus it damages her nails - physical damage, that you would be causing your 5 year old.

It sets up unrealistic expectations - treat upon treat upon treat.

You're going for expensive holiday + clothes + cosmetic procedures at 5 years old.

What on earth will she 'need' at 14?

You ALWAYS use regular polish on a 5 year old? That’s awful…

What about nail stickers? Disney themed.
I do think 5 is too young for real gel nails OP.

Cancer causing, I definitely wouldn't risk it on such young skin.

You could buy some Disney nail stickers, that would be an age appropriate treat

If you read the post correctly OP doesn’t use gel nails on her DD she usually uses nail polish because her DD obviously enjoys having them done, which for a lot of young girls is standard. OP was just wondering about the gel as it’s something she uses on herself. She doesn’t say her DD asked for gel.
As for you preferring what your DD talks about that’s ok if that’s what she’s in to but it doesn’t mean it’s wrong OPs DD is into nail polish, I’m sure she has many other interests as well

Surely a 5 year old would be happy with a lick of nail polish? Why on earth gel?

Crazy.

You seem to think she has adult emotions and 'wants'. She's 5. Not 15.
Se has no understanding of gel or ordinary polish unless you've already made a big thing over it and given her some weird expectations.

Most little girls of that age are happy with some nail polish for kids.

Hard no from me I've always had strong nails never fussed about having my nails done. I had gel nails done once(only time I've had them done) took about a yr before they stopped splitting.

That's not the norm.

I have a happy, confident,5 year old girl. She loves school, reading, writing, drawing, riding her bike and scooter, gymnastics, musical theatre and swimming. She's very active and happy.

She also loves sparkly make-up, nail varnish, pretty styles in her hair and pretty dresses, as did I at the same age and as do most of her friends. She is not "sexualised" and wanting to wear sparkly lip gloss and eyeshadow does not cause sexual abuse, as PPs are suggesting.

She is a little girl being creative and experimenting with fashion and style.

I do not think gel nails are appropriate for a 5 yo but wanting to copy Mummy and look nice is absolutely normal for young children. Girls from the dawn of history have loved putting on grown-up high heels and "borrowing" jewellery and make-up, to the annoyance of big sisters everywhere. It's not new and it's not wrong.

She also loves sparkly make-up, nail varnish, pretty styles in her hair and pretty dresses, as did I at the same age and as do most of her friends. She is not "sexualised" and wanting to wear sparkly lip gloss and eyeshadow does not cause sexual abuse, as PPs are suggesting.
She is a little girl being creative and experimenting with fashion and style.

But presumably you have indulged her in this and bought all of it?

How else is she being exposed to it?

Is she copying 'Mummy'?

My DD is an adult now and is into skin care and some make up but there was never this fixation with it as a child and I didn't encourage it.

Giving a child make up at 5 is just ridiculous.

Adult women use make up usually to 'enhance' their appearance, cover 'flaws' and try to make the best of what they've got.

A 5 year old doesn't need her head filled with that.

Presumably you've started it all as you say you did that too as a child.

@MrsSunshine2b
Yes, clonking around in high heels, dressing up clothes of all sorts, sparkly stuff on clothes when playing together but not wanting nails painted and make up put on. Personally, I don't think a 5yr old needs to experiment with 'fashion and style'... just being 5 and having fun in all sorts of ways is enough.
Just my opinion. I'm a dinosaur obviously.

Mines still a toddler but at 5, if she asked for her ears pierced, it would be a hard no. The risk of infection, the risk of them accidentally getting ripped out, no I wouldn't. I certainly wouldn't think anything of anyone else allowing their 5 year old to get their ears pierced though. Gel nails would be the preferable option of the 2 for me.

I think your way of bringing up daughters is the norm, not those of @MrsSunshine2b

Tiny tots of 5 can dress up and wear mummy's heels but there is no need to make a big fuss of it and start buying them make up and doing their nails.

Crazy

I played with make up at around that age. My mum didn't expose me to it, I've actually only ever seen her wearing make up once in my life, at my siblings wedding. It was my barbies who had eyeshadow, lipstick etc on and I wanted to experiment too.

Because Disney dress up is normal

Gel nails on a 5 year old is tacky ridiculous

Judgemental? You betcha

Please - she is a little girl, treat her like one

She’s 5!

She’s going to Disneyland and the last thing she’s going to be thinking about is her nails!

It’s one thing to play dress up and put some (non-damaging) nail varnish on at home but doing her nails to go to Disneyland is absolutely ridiculous.

Well I certainly had play make-up 30 years ago, as did most of my friends, and considering that it's sold everywhere from the supermarket to the corner shop would indicate there's a lot of little girls playing with make-up.

So how did you get your hands on it?

I think there is a difference between playing around if there is some old make up in the house, but a massive difference between that and a parent buying a 5 year old her own make up and encouraging it so young.

Just because something is available doesn't mean parents have to buy it.

If your mum bought you it at 5, that's her choice.

I didn't buy it for my DD who is possibly your age (mid 30s.)

She didn't touch make up until her teens.

I don't see a problem with glittery/fancy nails etc but not the gel extension bit. My mum used to do Avon and I had tiny lipsticks to play with when I was about 4 and used to have my nails painted in Iced Champink. Then later I used to get the Little Blossom stuff as birthday gifts and so on.

I have grown up to be a lawyer in a male dominated field and my hobbies include football FWIW, in case people think they are creating a passive princess or, well, I don't know, whatever people are worried about. 🤔DDs and their friends used to have their nails painted, colorful mini plaits and streaks of colour in their hair at this age, boys too, just a bit of fun.