What age is nail varnish O.K.

[Hereisalittleteapot]

What age do people feel it is reasonable for children to wear nail varnish. I was having a disagreement with a friend over the fact I do not allow my 3 year old to. She does ask sometimes but she also sucks her fingers sometimes and I just don't like it on young children.

Friend says this is hypocritical as I sometimes have a manicure.

Lol she probably wouldn't. Another reason I am reluctant. It is hard enough to get her hair done in the morning. I can only imagine nail varnish would mostly end up smeared over furniture and toys not on her. I had a manicure for my birthday as a treat and she liked it which is why she asked.

Sucking her fingers while wearing nail polish won't do any harm at all - once it's dry it won't transfer anything to her mouth if she sucks her thumb or whatever.

I don't think there's any harm at all in letting a small child have their nails painted, especially in fun colours - it's just one of those 'dress-up' things that kids sometimes like, just like face-painting or hair chalks or glitter or making their own bead necklaces to wear. It's just something they see as fun, and most kids like colour. I don't think it's a 'beauty' thing as such for them. My friend's son used to like having his toenails painted in crazy colours when he was little.

However, although totally harmless, I think a lot of three-year-olds would certainly struggle to sit still not only for the length of time it takes to paint nails, but also the length of time it will take them to dry.

DD probably nail varnish on from 3 ish but she was never a finger/thumb sucker, and only very occasionally. Usually at Grandma's house!

More regularly from about 5ish but still just school holidays or the odd special weekend - like going out for a family birthday or if she had a friend round and we did it together. Much like how often I do my own to be honest!

I actually didn't like the kid stuff though. It pealed off so easily it either wasn't worth doing or was even more risky with fingers in food/mouths so I use my own quick dry ones.

So your 3 yo hasn't actually asked just that your friend thinks you should be painting them?! I would ignore your friend and just wait until your daughter actually asks and see how you feel then.

I was allowed to have my toenails painted when I was 10 and it was my Dad who painted them for me on my birthday. I still remember how excited I was (i'm in my 50s). I still love nail varnish on both toes and fingers although I can take or leave make up.

I went for a manicure with a friend as a birthday treat. My daughter and husband came to the salon and DD immediately loved my 'pretty nails' and asked to have the same. There is no way I was paying for her to have a professional manicure so I sad no. Friend made a bit of a thing about it and I half thought I might be being absolutely unreasonable. However, I have now decided that I am not doing nails even at home for a while. Until I am sure she will stay still long enough and not sucking fingers so much. Then I will get at home kids varnish for odd occasions. Full adult nail varnish can wait longer still.

I get my nails done every 3-4 weeks. My DD8 comes with me and it’s lovely hangout time together. If the salon isn’t too busy then they do her nails too (just regular polish obviously, not gel) for £5. My DS5 came with us yesterday and they did his nails too just for fun… he chose neon orange and yellow and had the time of his life. 😂

Yes I doubt nursery would care but it’s easy for me and for them to understand that’s the reason why they’re not allowed it.