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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Is it appropriate to paint a 4yo girls nails?

58 replies

lullaloo · 20/04/2011 11:43

My 4 YO loves dressing up and if i let her would cover her face in my make up. She loves to play with my shoes etc. I have bought her play shoes and fancy dress . I am assuming that this is a normal thing for a 4 yo, however am very aware that i do not want her to think apperance is everything. would love to hear your comments.

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RamblingRosa · 20/04/2011 11:46

Lots of people do. I personally don't. Not least because I think the chemicals in nail varnish are pretty scary (formaldehyde anyone?) and not things I want DD mucking about with.

VinegarTits · 20/04/2011 11:48

my 4 yr old son has nail varnish on (green)

BarbieLovesKen · 20/04/2011 11:51

Course it is, when Im painting my nails, my dd loves to come over and get hers "done" - shes 5 now but definately would have it on from 3/4 (not allowed in school though so its usually on holidays).

I wouldnt over think it to be honest, its no big deal.

Gemtubbs · 20/04/2011 11:52

Maybe if she is going to a party or something. I wouldn't make a daily habit of it.

MadameSin · 20/04/2011 12:00

I painted both my sons toe nails until they were 4 ... they loved it (dad wasn't so keen)

Bonsoir · 20/04/2011 12:01

Yes, DD (6) loves to wear open sandals in the summer and thinks they look even better with painted toenails.

cheepcheepchoconora · 20/04/2011 12:04

I have done DD (4)'s nails once. it was a barely there shimmery colour that she asked for for a party, she was really good and I took it straight off after - wouldn't do it regularly and certainly not for school / preschool etc but as a fun treat if she asked - yeah

MeantToStopAtTwo · 20/04/2011 12:50

I used to have love having my nails done at that age, picking out which coloured I wanted, etc.

I've not encouraged it in my DDs though because, as RamblingRosa says, I'm so much more wary now of all the chemicals it contains. In fact I stopped using it myself when I first became pregnant and save it for special occasions now.

Dancergirl · 20/04/2011 17:44

No, I don't think it is. Personally I think it's a bit weird seeing a little girl with nail polish on.

ednurse · 20/04/2011 17:45

I think it's fine for a party or a summer holiday or something, as a 'treat'

gobbledegoop · 20/04/2011 18:19

I don't get the big deal, most little girls like pretty, sparkly things and nail polish is one of them. I wouldn't do it every day but only because i couldn't be bothered! Some people are too precious about 'chemicals' and all those should and shouldn't do's IMO.

mercibucket · 20/04/2011 18:22

we do toes (also did the ds' til they got school age and stopped wanting them done)
don't think they're allowed to wear nail polish at school though

Bunnynamedstanely · 20/04/2011 18:29

It's just a personal bias but I really don't like seeing very little girls with nail polish on... It's gilding the lily really. Several of my 3 year olds friends have their fingers and toes done on a regular basis and she has asked to have hers done. We had the 'some Mummies have different rules' conversation and she has accepted that so far.

washnomore · 20/04/2011 18:29

This is something I'm instinctively ugh about but I was talking with a friend recently about Let Girls Be Girls and inappropriate clothing and we're very much on the same wavelength with that, but her 4 year old wears nail polish sometimes so I'm starting to think I'm just abnormally precious (wouldn't be the first time tbh).

simpson · 20/04/2011 18:33

I recently let my 3yr old DD get her nails painted for the first time (by me when I was doing mine)

She was sooo excited but rapidly lost interest after a few minutes and would not let me finish them so went round with 6 nails painted

NormanTebbit · 20/04/2011 18:36

Mine are always desperate for it. I just put a bit of very pale on if they ask. It's hardly noticeable.

hmmSleep · 20/04/2011 18:40

Dd1 (5yrs) is currently sporting rather attractive blue nails for the Easter hols. She insists on having them done but is too impatient to wait for them to dry so they tend too look somewhat scratty, more like she's dipped the ends of her fingers in some blue paint.

petitdonkey · 20/04/2011 18:43

DD had them last summer when she was 18 months old !! In fairness, her big sister was having it done and she just kept saying 'my, my' (me). I don't see the problem and I dress them very much as little girls but I won't allow fingernails and can't really explain why...

smileyhappymummy · 20/04/2011 19:58

My nearly four year old loves having her done - and I'm very happy to do it for her - can't see the harm tbh.

thebird · 20/04/2011 20:14

My DDs love to have theirs painted when they see me doing mine. I only do it for holidays or parties and just use a clear or light color with a bit of sparkle. Its very girlie and they know its a treat. Also I just do toes and not finger nails as one likes to have a chew!

allyfe · 21/04/2011 04:24

I wouldn't let mine, personally.

papooshka · 21/04/2011 04:32

I do my DD (aged 4) toenails occasionally but she knows its not allowed on her fingernails till shes older, not sure why, same as previous poster!!

BluddyMoFo · 21/04/2011 07:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gorionine · 21/04/2011 07:21

I do DD4's (4) nails every now and then. She likes it and I am pretty confident she is more at risk from my cooking than the chemicals in it

feetheart · 21/04/2011 07:33

BluddyMoFo - :o

Occasionally do DD's (now 8) and DS's (5) if they ask - is there a problem

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