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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Painting my toddler’s nails?

33 replies

Kate1234567 · 26/04/2025 20:56

Talk me out of this please! DD(3) today said “Mummy I want to have red nails like my favourite nursery teacher”. She’s so sweet and doesn’t ask for much really, I would like to do this for her (with child safe, non-toxic nail varnish). How sensitive are toddler nails?

AIBU - she’s 3 and way too young for this. Don’t start now or you’ll have to paint her nails all the time!
AINBU - there’s no harm in indulging her sometimes. She’ll probably lose interest after one nail anyway.

OP posts:
Childanddogmama · 26/04/2025 20:59

You already know this is a ridiculous idea!

ExtraOnions · 26/04/2025 21:00

I don’t seem the problem … you’re not lighting her a Crack Pipe, it’s a bit of colour on her nails.

TeflonMom · 26/04/2025 21:00

You can get kid’s nail polish. It just peels off to remove

Sofiewoo · 26/04/2025 21:00

Childanddogmama · 26/04/2025 20:59

You already know this is a ridiculous idea!

Edited

The only thing ridiculous is banning a child from a bit of paint!

Jessica5678 · 26/04/2025 21:01

I do my child’s, with normal adult polish, very occasionally (like once or twice a year) and have done since she was a preschooler. She doesn’t bite her nails or suck her fingers and I don’t see the harm in it. We have a “special occasions only and not for school” rule so she very rarely asks.

Springadorable · 26/04/2025 21:01

Maybe her toe nails with kids polish?

friendsonly · 26/04/2025 21:02

Ive painted dd(3)s nails a couple of times, she enjoys the experience and looking at them for a few minutes and then goes and plays and it all chips off until she asks again months later.
it’s fine, your overthinking it.

kirstysmbc · 26/04/2025 21:02

My DD’s nursery had a nail painting stand at their summer fayre and it was one of the most popular stands. I bought some toddler safe Frozen peel off polish for my DD after that and she uses it every so often and it’s normally peeled off within the hour! I don’t see the harm…

friendsonly · 26/04/2025 21:03

Childanddogmama · 26/04/2025 20:59

You already know this is a ridiculous idea!

Edited

Why is it ridiculous?
it’s actually a pretty normal and harmless idea.

Stickortwigs · 26/04/2025 21:03

My 3 year old is obsessed with nail polish. He asks me to draw around his hands and draws it on and asks me to do his nails too. I just do it. He loves it and it makes him happy.

It didn’t occur to me that this might be a faux pas?

StarTwirl · 26/04/2025 21:04

It’s a fun thing to paint a DD nails whatever the age

tarheelbaby · 26/04/2025 21:04

That's such a sweet reason that I'd go with it.
But I'd explain that since she's a pupil she'll have to remove it on Sunday night/Monday morning because it's not part of 'uniform'.

NeedSomeComfy · 26/04/2025 21:04

YANBU. It's not different in their eyes to getting their face painted or wearing glitter or any other colourful adornment.
My child was about 3 when she started seeing other children at nursery come in with painted nails, and asking for it herself. She then received a kids peel-off nail kit for Christmas that year from an Aunt. She was very excited at first and wanted to paint her nails quite frequently (which my husband used to do for her) but she lost interest quickly and now 2 years later only wants to do it once in a blue moon.

Smurf123 · 26/04/2025 21:06

why not? The kids nail varnish literally peels off or washes off as soon as they wash their hands so there’s no harm.
It’s also great fine motor activity if you get your 3 year old to paint yours/ her own

ThejoyofNC · 26/04/2025 21:06

Toddlers generally draw/paint over 90% of their body. I wouldn't have a problem with this.

Original poster
Kate1234567 · 26/04/2025 21:06

Thank you this is all really helpful. I’m definitely over thinking it.

OP posts:
Weightloss12 · 26/04/2025 21:07

My 2 and a half year old often has her nails painted. When she sees me doing mine she places her hand flat infront of me and says my turn, so I do it for her, I don’t see the issue, she even blows on them and keeps her hands still untill I tell her they’re dry.

she takes great pride in showing her dad when he comes home, it’s a harmless bit of fun that puts a smile on their face, nothing ridiculous about it

Mum2jenny · 26/04/2025 21:08

Pretty harmless option to paint a child’s nails imo

NewBinBag · 26/04/2025 21:09

My boys loved having their nails painted when they were little.

Like PP said, it's just a novelty like face paint or dress up, it looks pretty & fun.

MamaLenny · 26/04/2025 21:09

I painted my son's toenails when he was 3. Sometime during the first lockdown.

Eastermuppet · 26/04/2025 21:09

No harm in doing it, I used to do my toddler ds's nails in gold polish because he wanted to be a pirate, don't overthink it.

MidoriNoRingo · 26/04/2025 21:10

My 3 year old son has a 10 year old sister so he quite often has his nails painted.

HarpSnail · 26/04/2025 21:16

My DS had alternate turquoise and silver nails and toenails for most of his pre-school years.

racinghare · 26/04/2025 21:30

My little boys used to love having their nails painted when I did my own- from about 2 - 4 years old. It was great too as they knew that had to sit still whilst it dried. I have some gorgeous photos of them on holiday at the beach in Spider-Man beach outfits and tiny bright pink toenails

GenderFluid90 · 26/04/2025 21:55

It's absolutely fine it's just nail Polish. I paint my 4 years olds nephews nails all the time. 🥰