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?

Bet you wish it had - that sounds like an amazing life!

It’s sad women are still seeing ‘girly’ things as tacky or lesser.

I doubt you would get any longevity from gel polish (which I’m assuming you mean not hard gel). It will just peel off because her nails are so soft, it doesn’t work for pre-teens. I haven’t used it on children I’m just qualified in nails.
Seche vite topcoat is wonderful for making a regular manicure last longer and look amazing.

I didn’t realise you had to have painted nails to be ‘feminine’? I thought you just needed to be female and not give any shits about gender stereotypes.

Cosmetic procedure? Sexualising?!

She wants her nails painted, lots of girls like things like that. You make it sound like the OP is giving her lip filler, fake eyelashes and dressing her up like Miss Va Va Voom!

So unnecessary on a 5 year old. Why would you even consider it?
I'd be concerned that this could grow into other things she wants done to herself as she grows and becomes more aware of what women are putting in and on their bodies.

This is awful. Please just let her be a child!! What a depressing read.

I would think the risk of an allergic reaction would be much higher for delicate 5yo skin.

I disagree - I’m not blue stockinged and I certainly don’t own pearls!
It’s about trying not to start her off thinking about herself and her image at an early age rather than being at home in her own skin, full of her own confidence, (like BRAT summer 😅 but obvs not cos she’s 5)… Just living for the moment and not worrying about if something breaks , snaps, smudges or doesn’t look right. Having fun!

There was quite a bit of hyperbole in that post but for me a five year old being into make up and hair gives me children’s pageant vibes, although I’m sure OP’s little girl is not that far gone.

I’d say no to gel nails but yes to nail stickers.

You’re being absolutely ridiculous. And you know you are. Please grow up.

No salon will have insurance that covers them to perform treatments on 5 year olds ffs.

And if you were planning on doing the gels yourself (assuming you’re not a qualified nail tech?) then you’ll be buying eBay/Amazon “gel” shit that WILL damage her nails. Even the “gel” polish you can buy at Boots isn’t even proper gel. You need a qualification to be able to buy gel products and all the prep/aftercare from a proper supplier.

Wow some of the people on this thread are just out to be mean aren’t they.

@ChronicallyOnLime

i will speak to you as someone whose sister is a beautician, and offers “ Princess “ packages for children aged 5-12. For a 5 year old girl, on a special occasion, only use normal polish and top coat, Gel nails can cause nails to be brittle, and can also be uncomfortable on the nail.

Also you're not the only one who has a girly 5 year old DD, my DD is exactly the same, and they do some peel off nail polishes that she uses ( purely because she gets bored after a day and wants a different colour anyway ).

Having a little girl into girly things isn’t a sign of neglect like what a lot of you are making it out to be. And also doesn’t mean she’ll be walking up the streets with a blonde wig and knee high boots.

and to all the comments moaning about having a full suitcase of new clothes, in the nicest way possible, life is short so fuck it. If you can afford it, do it.

@ChronicallyOnLimei hope you have a lovely Disney holiday with your girly. She’s at an age where she will remember it, and if not all of it, take lots of photos.

it costs nothing to be nice in the world.

Why don't you just get stick on nails?
Wouldn't that be more fun for a 5 year old, they can choose what ones they want.

Would you also refuse to let a 5-year-old boy play with cars because cars are for grown-ups? Or is it just feminine things that are bad?

Many little girls love to play with makeup. That's why there are kids' versions.

Let girls be girls. Being feminine is NOT A BAD THING!

It makes me really sad that 8% of responders on the vote think that this is okay.

Five year old girls into hair / make up / nails to this extent is such shame, but it’s just a reflection of our society. The beauty industry and social media have taken what a patriarchal culture started and run away with it to a very dark place, in my opinion. Where does it end?

At age 11, the girls are taking make-up kits to school, getting manicures / pedicures / false eyelashes / brows done and they want their own influencer channel.

In their late teens, it’s spray tan, fillers and then actual cosmetic surgery in their 20s.

In our 30s and 40s we are grabbing collagen and LED facials with both hands.

How did we get to this point? It takes up so much of our time, money and headspace. What else could we be achieving with all that energy? What example are we setting to our daughters and granddaughters?

We all look fine. We are enough. Just stop it.

It’s not the same thing really is it and you know it. If we take it further you could say it’s ok for very young girls to wear make up to school because their brother is taking a toy truck to school.

That's a very odd comparison.
Women drive cars too!
It's obvious where your thoughts are!

Cars are a means of transport. Driving is a life skill.

Painting your nails and using make up at 5 is very different. It's about changing your appearance 'for the better'.

Good grief no. Not okay. I mean a 5 year old shouldn’t be caring about polished nails at all IMO as it will curtail activities, but if you must… polish only fgs.

You don't need a qualification to buy nail stuff, it's not a protected profession.

Being 'feminine' doesn't rest on using make up.

FGS I feel I've been in the Tardis and it's 1950.

Bit ott, it's just a bit of fun, who the hell doesn't enjoy painting their nails or mucking with nail stickers?
I painted my nails as a kid, it's on the same level as making bracelets and styling hair into fun styles and colours.
Let girls be girls if they want to be, your acting like she's having plastic surgery.
Definitely should not have them professionally stuck in though that's going too far, painting and sticking fake nails on is fine for kids.

Well, you're obviously just far better than the OP and her daughter, aren't you!!

Feminine things are not bad things. Repeat until it sinks in.

She ‘still plays with dolls’ and ‘doesn’t complain when her nails aren’t done’.

Great news.

And soldiers and diggers are masculine? No surprise the world is in such a blooming mess.