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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Make up on a 2 year old

56 replies

purepurple · 19/12/2009 12:33

We had a party at the nursery where we work. I work with toddlers, so they are 2 rising 3.
One little girl was brought in at 8 o'clock, dressed for the party which started at 2.30 with eye shadow and lipstick on. From her own Tinkerbell make up kit, applied by Mum.
I thought it was very sad that this mother thought it appropriate to do this.
So, would do you think?
I have a 13 year old and hate to see her in make up, but accept it as part of growing up, but to sexualise a 2 year old in this way makes me feel very uneasy.
I have just read the 'Pink Stinks' thread and feel that some parents are turning their daughters into 'pink princesses' and I am very uneasy with it.

OP posts:
Rindercella · 19/12/2009 12:35

I think 'ugh' but then I am very judgy

Nevergoogle · 19/12/2009 12:38

but does it always have to be sexualising?

can't it just be playing?

my sons watch me putting on makeup. my littlest is two and asks for some. so he plays with my beads while i get ready for a night out and sometimes i'll put vaseline on his lips or put blusher on with the brush.

2 year olds just like to copy. for the same reason they make tiny little ironing boards for 2 year olds. they just like to mimic.

i wouldn't be impressed if a toddler could apply eyeliner better than me, but as long as they are just playing i don't see the harm.

BornToFolk · 19/12/2009 12:43

Yes but there's a difference between mimicking and being dressed up for a party. My two year old son likes to mimic too so he gets a bit of lip balm or some lotion on his arms but if he was a girl there's no way on earth he'd have his own make up set and have it applied for parties.

Original poster
purepurple · 19/12/2009 12:46

Exactly, borntofolk, I am aware of how children learn through playing and mimicking.

OP posts:
ineedalifelaundry · 19/12/2009 12:47

Yuck. 2 yr olds surely aren't really aware of how they are dressed for a party? It's parents who dress toddlers up. Make up on a toddler is horrid. Almost as bad as pierced ears.

Rainbowinthesky · 19/12/2009 12:48

It's not sexualising. It's fun and part of play.

shortandsweet2 · 19/12/2009 12:50

It is vile, I had someone buy my 3yr old a huge make up set for Christmas, in caps on the back it says not to used by under 10yr olds. Needless to say it has gone to the bin.

Morloth · 19/12/2009 12:51

Depends on the make up. If it is excellent toddler decided on colours and just for fun, then no problem. If it is in some way meant to make them look better then that isn't on.

DS used to love applying glittery make-up. Couldn't see the problem myself even though I don't wear make-up at all.

MollieO · 19/12/2009 12:51

I would be very judgy and find it extremely odd that a mother would put full make up on a two year old. It isn't the same as doing something like nail varnish imo.

QandA · 19/12/2009 12:53

I don't like it, nevergoogle makes agood point about imitating adults, but as bornto says, the difference is getting dressed up for a party and seeing make up as part of that routine for a 2 year old

Some party clothes for young girls are just as bad though, the make up would complete the 'look'

pigletmania · 19/12/2009 12:53

It is sexualising at such a young age, there is a difference between a bit of glittery make up on cheeks or forehead and a little blush and full on heavy make up. I am glad that my dd 2.10 does not want it despite watching me put it on, she is a tomboy and would rather be outside. There is plenty of time for her to wear make up.

AKMD · 19/12/2009 12:54

YANBU. I really hate seeing pre-teen girls covered in makeup/wearing high heels/overly-styled hair (in a 'wow-look-at-me-aren't-I-goregous' way rather than playing around at dressing up), I think it's really trashy and sets them up for all sorts of appearance issues later on.

Rainbowinthesky · 19/12/2009 12:56

How is it sexualising? A bit of eye shadow and lipstick from a tinkerbell make up kit is hardly offering your daughter for prostitution....

chocolaterabbit · 19/12/2009 12:57

I would be a bit judgy but also amazed by the mum's energy. It takes me most of the day to get my 2.5yo DD to actually get some clothes on (let alone keeping them on) and hair brushed - I couldn't face doing make up on her as well.

Rainbowinthesky · 19/12/2009 12:57

purepurple - I hope the parent doesnt get to read this.....I would be seriously annoyed and complain to your employers if I were the mum.

Original poster
purepurple · 19/12/2009 13:04

rainbow, I am perfectly entitled to my opinion. Obviously, I didn't share it with the parent concerned.
Most of my colleagues shared my opinion, although not all of them.

OP posts:
RumourOfAHurricane · 19/12/2009 13:05

This reply has been deleted

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santasmagicnappysack · 19/12/2009 13:07

Yanbu - it is yuk. I wouldn't mind DD playing with make up at home to mimic me. Seriously putting make up on her to go to a party would be a different matter entirely.

Original poster
purepurple · 19/12/2009 13:09

I am not getting worked up . I am using this thread as an excuse not to do the ironing.
I wondered if I was out of touch and old fashioned, is all.

OP posts:
jennymac · 19/12/2009 13:20

I think it is fine for kids to play with make-up in the house for fun but I wouldn't let my three year old out the door with it on!

Rindercella · 19/12/2009 13:21

Rainbow, if posters were worried about people seeing stuff they'd written about them, then MN would be very quiet indeed!

DD watches me put on my makeup, plays with the blusher brush, etc., but there is no way I would put any makeup on her...she is quite beautiful enough as it is.

pigletmania · 19/12/2009 13:27

Exactly Rindercella, make up is sexualising as it is originally used by ladies to attract men. The lips represent the lips down below and they say that putting lipstick on is emphasising their vulva.

pigletmania · 19/12/2009 13:28

Not something i want my little on to do thank you.

Nevergoogle · 19/12/2009 13:30

i think it says that on the back of the tinkerbell make up set pigletmania.

RumourOfAHurricane · 19/12/2009 13:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn