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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Ears pierced at 9?

107 replies

Mowgli1970 · 16/05/2010 12:46

DD is 10 in August and is desperate to have her ears pierced in July when school breaks up for Summer. I'm in two minds about it - what do you think are the pros/cons? AIBU to say she has to wait until she's older? I had mine pierced at 9 and had badly infected ears afterwards which is putting me off...

OP posts:

jellybeans · 16/05/2010 12:51

My DDs had theirs done in the school hols, youngest was just turned 10 and has been absolutely fine, no infections etc (I lectured often on hygeine etc though and they had the solution and used it religiously). They were really responsible. Only annoying thing is the loosing earings/ear backs!! I would say it is a great age to have it done if they really want it and understand what is going to happen.

whatwasthatagain · 16/05/2010 12:53

Personally I wouldn't. I think young girls with pierced ears can look a bit chavvy. My DD (10) wanted hers doing, but the mention of needles was enough to put her off. Don't think children at that age can really look after their ears properly - as proved by you having infected ears. Told mine she will have to wait until she is 16.

jellybeans · 16/05/2010 12:54

Oh, to answer the question I think it's totally up to you as it is your DD but it is a little U to wait till 16 or something as most girls have it done when starting secondary or last year of primary.

Pros- child is old enough to know if they want it at this age, child old enough to be responsible (I told mine exactly what might happen if they didn't bother cleaning, infection etc) and it is nice for them to feel more grown up (bit trivial that one!).

Cons..it does hurt them abit even if they are prepared for it.

SkipHopJump · 16/05/2010 12:55

School hols are the best times but I think if I ahd done mine at 10 I wouldn't have looked after my ears properly! My friend has let her DD's have their ears pierced when they start their periods. That way the girls are having to become more aware of their bodies and caring for themselves etc.

FranSanDisco · 16/05/2010 12:57

Wow, dd who is 10 in October asked me the same this morning . The problems we discussed are that they aren't really supposed to have them in school and she swims 3x a week for the borough so may affect the healing. She goes to school with a lot of Asian and African-caribbean children who have their ears pierced at a young age. I have put her off several times but now her 'white' friends are getting them done so she won't buy the culture debate (they are also getting ipods and mobiles ). I want her to wait until she starts Secondary school personally though I had them done at 10 yo and she know this - they got pussy though and needed alot of care. I'd rather have the ear-rings than the mobile phone but that's another thread.

nagoo · 16/05/2010 12:59

I had mine done at 12 and I think that is the earliest really. But may be I don't live in the real world.

MumInBeds · 16/05/2010 12:59

It's a very personal decision, I've said 12 at the earliest to dd (and ds) as that is the soonest I think they could cope with a needle piercing - I (personally) don't agree with using the gun method.

Tidey · 16/05/2010 13:01

I had mine done at 8 and looked after them properly. It depends on the child I think. Ten is probably old enough to be responsible for having them done, but in the end it's up to you. I don't think I'd let my DD have them done til she was 10/11 anyway.

oxocube · 16/05/2010 13:11

dd had hers pierced at 12. She and a friend went together. Friend's mum and I had ours done at the same time . I now LOVE earrings and dd and I have loads of cheap pairs. Hers healed quicker than mine but neither of us had any problems.

ChocolatePants · 16/05/2010 13:15

MuminBeds- why don't you like the gun method?

Genuinely curious-my DD is in last year of primary and wants her ears pierced at the end of the school year.

thesecondcoming · 16/05/2010 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Zondra · 16/05/2010 13:23

I allowed my daughter to get her ears pierced at 8,when she started her periods.She was very mature for her age ,though & took great care of her ears.

I am very pernickity ,though,on the kinds of earrings she wears. Not keen on gold or hoops ,probably because of the "chavvy" look. She wears discreet silver studs or wee enamel ladybirds,which are very pretty.

hatesponge · 16/05/2010 13:24

If the ears are cleaned daily you shouldnt have too much problem - ds2 had his ear pierced at 7 (not my choice but I felt I couldnt complain to his dad given that I would have been happy for it to have been done much younger if he was a girl...) and despite being a generally unhygenic little boy he managed to keep his ear clean and sterile and other than it being a bit sore initially didnt have any problems at all.

MadameCastafiore · 16/05/2010 13:26

Have told DD she can have it done the day she leaves junior school - I hate little girls with their ears pierced mind you I hate them with painted nails also and hers are lurid pink at the moment!

bruffin · 16/05/2010 13:31

My DD had hers done at exactly the same age. Unfortunately she had an accident and caught them on a towel which pulled the earring into her earlobe. I think the problem was with the earring which was a pointy shape rather than square at the back IFSWIM We spent our wedding anniversary in a&e getting it sorted out.

She had them again 2 years later in the summer holiday before secondary.

Firawla · 16/05/2010 14:23

I dont think 9 or 10 is young to have it done, its quite old im sure she will be able to take care of them at that age, i managed it at 5 or 6 so im sure a 9 or 10 yrs old can! (i thought 5 was quite old to have it done as i know loads of people have it younger)
If she is desperate for it i would let her with no hesitation personally

eatyourveg · 16/05/2010 14:28

Always used to be what you did for your 16th birthday. I have however got to 45 and still not seen the fascination in drilling a hole through my earlobe

weegiemum · 16/05/2010 14:35

We've agreed that dd1 (10) can have hers done at the end of school this year in June.

She's pernickerty about everything self-care so I'm sure she'll be just fine.

MadamDeathstare · 16/05/2010 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OneTwoBuckleMyShoe · 16/05/2010 16:28

My Mum's rule was 13 or 5'2 which ever comes first which is something I am planning on doing with DD!

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 16/05/2010 16:35

My DD had hers done at age 8 - on the basis that I felt it was a battle I was prepared to lose.

Its really not a big deal - why not let her have them done?

RubysReturn · 16/05/2010 16:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FranSanDisco · 16/05/2010 16:41

DD is 9 yo and 4'8". Using OneTwo's guide how long can I put it off?

SirBoobAlot · 16/05/2010 16:43

Had mine done at seven after nagging asking my Mum two years. She took me to watch someone else get theirs done and see the equipment first and I still wasn't put off, so had them for my birthday. I would let her.

halfawake · 16/05/2010 17:24

I think 9 is fine.

I had mine done at 6 or 7 and didn't have any problems with infection keeping them clean. I also don't see why it looks "chavvy"

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