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?

OP, don't tell people to F off because they point out that makeup is sexualising a child. When I think of little girls wearing makeup I straight away think of those horrendous American child pageants where the little girls are absolutely sexualised. You're getting very defensive here and seem unable to reflect... it's not at all necessary or healthy for 5 year old children to be so image-obsessed. Whether or not you want to accept that is up to you, but you know, you did ask what people think.

But doesn't need gel nails.

If you think there is something sexual about a child with nail varnish that is your own, very troubling, problem.

Because she’s five and it’s likely to do permanent damage?
What is wrong with you?

I don’t know why you’re getting jumped on OP (or I do, because it’s mumsnet) because you were only asking opinions.

My daughter is 3 and loves having her nails painted. If I were taking her to Disney I would treat her to some new themed clothes for the trip too - it’s a once in a lifetime holiday for most kids! It doesn’t mean you’re treating her like a doll and to suggest having her nails done is sexualising her is ridiculous.

I wouldn’t use gel on a 5 year old just because I know from my own nails it weakens them. Maybe a couple of clear top coats might keep them fresh a bit longer?

I find this really depressing

If you can afford it and it’s something she’d enjoy, as she loves hair and makeup etc why not book her in for this at Disneyland instead of having her nails done www.disneylandparis.com/en-gb/shops/disneyland-hotel/my-royal-dream/

My children are only just adults but these threads make me feel so old! Surely you just say no.

I swear the whole women/girls are valued for their appearance thing is getting worse not better.

@ChronicallyOnLimeTry using Sèche-Vite top coat instead. It dries regular polish in seconds and gives a much tougher finish. Should last a few days.

OP said her child is obsessed with nails, hair and makeup. Nail polish now and then fine, hair clips fine, but makeup? Nope. That's grim.

They’ll be fine. Just go to a decent place and have them removed properly. Lot of pearl clutchers out today.

Why why why?

Do her nails with safe kids polish and stickers.

Not OK for a 5 yr old.

Gosh, really? Honestly, I’m not a pearl clutcher about these things - I have a 5 year old and if she wanted her ears pierced I’d let her. But gel nails are indeed really harsh on the nails. My dd is 21 and she has really strong nails but finds that gel weakens them so she avoids it now. A child who is still growing and developing shouldn’t come into contact with harsh chemicals - it’s really not a good idea.

If op is determined though I’d advise to stay well away from CND - it’s bloody horrible stuff. Bio Sculpture is the best quality.

It’s not about sexualisation or the appropriateness of the suitcase of clothes you’ve bought her 🙄 it’s about massively overspoiling a 5 year old. An entire suitcase? How excessive and unnecessary. Even if you have the money blah blah. It just makes kids more materialistic and expect more and more and bigger and better surprises. Can’t stand it but to each his own I suppose.

Ridic.

my 4YO is obsessed with Disney princesses and Barbie dolls. Most wear heels in the movies / magazines / toys / whatever content they’re in. She loves a dress, loves sparkles and all that jazz. For her birthday I got her little heels that go with her dress up costumes for indoor wear when she’s playing. Over the moon. But there is nothing remotely sexy about a tiny kitten heel from shoe zone let me tell you. Anyone that looks at a child no matter what they are wearing / painting on their body and thinking “that’s a bit sexual” is a wrongun. It’s as bad as saying that someone who was SA asked for it because they wore a mini skirt. Stop it.

seche vite is absolutely not OK for a small child. It contains toluene and other hormone disrupting chemicals.

You literally came on to ask AIBU and then are annoyed when people explain why they think you're BU.

I think you might need to look up the definitions of "likely" and "permanent". And perhaps "keratin" while you have Google open.

Rather like saying that dying your hair will "permanently" damage it, except that nails completely regenerate much quicker than (all but the shortest) hair. Back to GCSE biology you go!

(FWIW I agree shouldn't do it but so does OP so it's a moot point, no need to be rude about it everyone)

I agree. Nails done at 5. Crazy world.

No, she's 5. Not only is it very damaging for her nails but she also shouldn't be having a UV light on her hands. Not to mention that a 5 yo girl at Disney should be running around active without the fear of catching her nails on something.

Surely going to Disneyland should be more than exciting enough to take her mind off her nails with age appropriate activities rather than this.

Honestly why am I not surprised at the pile on here. It honestly makes me question how many of the posters giving their opinions have actually ever had contact with a child? As an example how many 5 year old still watch peppa pig!
OP my DD is older at 7 but I did do her a set of gels last year as she was driving me mad. They had all chipped off within a day so didn’t last (I didn’t properly file though) however I would do them again if she asked.
If your DD hasn’t asked I probably wouldn’t but only because once you’ve started she might drive you mad to keep wanting them done and you know that old saying, once you’ve started something that’s it!

From the responses on here it’s as though you’re about to inject her with smack, it’s pathetic.

I took DD to Disneyland Paris when she was 4 and we both managed to have a great time without her having gel nails
Of course her hair extensions, fake tan and eyelashes and laminated brows probably helped
Who wants to risk getting stuck on Its a Small World while not looking their best?

Why do you think little girls are obsessed with heels and makeup and things though? Because they see grown women wearing them and want to be like them. They don't all decide to just love heels and makeup out of nowhere. If women didn't feel the need to wear these things, no small child would want to totter around in heels when they could be running around freely.

I think it’s a bit of a mental idea. Do a cute salon visit and just get her nails painted - if they only last a day or two so be it, the novelty will have worn off anyway and she’ll be too busy enjoying Disney to care.

Don’t do adult things to little children, honestly. Common sense.

Yes the Uv light is also not advisable I agree.