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Parenting

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Original poster

ear piercing.. what age for a girl?

73 replies

mamaesi · 07/09/2011 16:21

Ok I want to start a hot debate on piercing ears on little girls. I reckon I got mine done when I was about 7 years old.

My husbands family are insisting that I pierce my 16 month old daughter. I am aware that it is very much a cultural thing (neither husband nor I are english, but we live in London)...

I was wondering what the mumsnet view is. I personally think its a bit "ghetto fabulous" to have a young baby with earrings. What do you think?

what do you think is the right age?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Malcontentinthemiddle · 08/09/2011 11:55

After primary.

25goingon95 · 08/09/2011 11:56

Earrings on a baby look awful in my opinion. They look just awful.

My DDs will be allowed to get theirs done in the holidays before they start secondary school. Don't want them worrying about having them ripped out while doing P.E or playing! They will be much more mature and able to cope with cleaning them and taking care of them when they are 10/11 yo.

Byeckerslike · 08/09/2011 12:13

15 ish i think its absolutely vile on a baby/toddler..... Vile

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Georgimama · 08/09/2011 12:17

You don't need to make a case. You are her mother. They are not. End of.

I was seven when mine were done - my mum didn't want me to have them done until I was 12 (I think now she was right) but I went very manipulative about it and said I didn't want anything for my birthday except to have my ears pierced and if I couldn't have that I didn't want anything, not a party, no cards, nothing. This sort of little bitch behaviour was tbh a bit of a bluff on my part as I didn't imagine for a moment it would work, but it did. She kept telling me how hideously painful it was and that they could get infected etc to try to put me off but I would not be deterred and so they were done. It didn't hurt and they didn't get infected (but I was scrupulous about bathing with surgical spirit, something I was required to take responsibility for as part of the deal).

Deesus · 08/09/2011 13:55

I used to beg my mum to let me get my ears pierced when I was young.

My mum said she wasn't interested in looking after my manky ears if they got infected so I'd have to wait until I was 16. By the time I was 16 I really wasn't bothered any more and never did get them done. Am quite glad about it now to be fair.

Lovethesea · 08/09/2011 18:31

I wasn't allowed when young and when I was older I didn't want them done. 36 now and have never had them pierced. My choice and I am so glad no one took that away from me as a baby!

Hassled · 08/09/2011 18:34

The day I started my periods my Mum took me to get my ears pierced. And I did the same with DD. So that's the rule.

DollyTwat · 08/09/2011 18:39

Can I ask what age you think for a boy?
(sorry to hijack your thread op but whilst everyone's here I'd lOve an opinion)
My ds1 is 9 I've said not til he's a teenager
He says I'm BU

belgo · 08/09/2011 18:39

On the same day hassled? weren't you curled up at home with a hot water bottle and bar of chocolate?

cantpooinpeace · 08/09/2011 18:40

Good rule Hassle!

Although period pains and ear lobe pains on a teenager - not sure now.

banana87 · 08/09/2011 18:40

I was 13 and DD will be 13 when she is asked whether or not she wants them pierced.

Hassled · 08/09/2011 18:40

It was a few days later. A dignified pause between the two events - enough time for chocolate.

ScrambledSmegs · 08/09/2011 18:41

I was whatever age you could legally get your ears pierced without parental permission. 15? 16? Think I'll apply the same rule for DD. That or lie.

belgo · 08/09/2011 18:42

Georgimama · 08/09/2011 20:33

Never for a boy.

Snowsquonk · 08/09/2011 22:20

I went for when they were old enough to deal with the endless cleaning and twisting for themselves with the threat that I'd pay for it once, but if they let them close up they'd have to pay for another piercing themselves. Eldest daughter had hers done at 10, youngest at 9 but she's much more practical than eldest!

DollyTwat · 08/09/2011 22:29

Well that's my sentiment too Georgimama but I can't say never can I

He thinks it's cool

I think it's uncool

OriginalPoster · 08/09/2011 22:36

Never
Ever
Ever

Why not wear your jewelry round your neck, wrist, fingers and ankles if you must? Or even on your head? That's 26 options without making more holes in your body.

You've already got 10 holes in your body, if you count eye sockets, that's plenty.....

You're counting them aren't you?....

PattySimcox · 08/09/2011 22:40

For those of you who had your children's ears pierced at a young age, what were your reasons for having it done?

My worry with pre-schoolers would be that they would get ripped out.

DD is 7 and wanted hers done as her best friend had hers done this summer, friend had to have hers taken out when they went back to school and the holes have semi closed up and so much screaming ensued as her mum had to re-pierce them - DD now changed her mind and never wants them done

Sandalwood · 08/09/2011 22:43

If you need to pin them down/hold them still - physically or with bribes, then they're too young.

BoattoBolivia · 08/09/2011 22:43

I'm going with health and safety ( see other thread on earrings in primary school recently). dd (9)has asked and I have said, not until she is old enough to take responsibility for all the after care, not lose her earrings (note state of bedroom!) and not be charging around the playground at playtime. I will not consider it before secondary school for all those reasons. I will apply the same logic to ds when he asks, but he is only 18 months at the moment. I waste enough of my time combing her long hair when we wash it (nit prevention) and washing out the bloody hamster cage for her, without having to supervise earring cleansing as well.

RumourOfAHurricane · 08/09/2011 22:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

festi · 08/09/2011 22:47

my personal view is when they are old enough to ask and understand that it hurts.

My dd just had hers done at the begining of the summer hols she is 5 and has asked every day since she was about 3. she seemed to understand and be able to comprehend how much it hurts. She was fine and didnt cry etc. Her little friend same age, who came along was alowed it done also if she wanted. she had never expressed a desire before and saw dd and said let me mummy, mummy said ok. The child was hysterical I would not have alowed that child under those circumstanced had she been mine, she had no comprehension of what she was about to have done, her father had not been consulted and he was more than angry when they returned home.

I think this is a decision only you and dp can make

DioneTheDiabolist · 08/09/2011 22:55

OP do not underestimate the power of it looks naff. Explain to your family that although ear piercing is normal for babies where they live, here it is not indeed, some people view it quite negatively. I wouldn't do it for safety reasons. Your DD has years of being clumsy ahead of her. Her earrings will be an unnecessary thing that can cause injury. Too easily they can catch on things.

Tell your family that you will save their gift for when your DD does get her ears pierced.

I had my ears pierced at 5. It was painful and I hated wearing earrings. I can only wear gold and was always afraid of losing one. I don't wear earrings now, but I have holes in my ears that are a bit wonky and have never closed.

SoozleQ · 09/09/2011 00:45

I'm with Deesus and Ilovethesea. I was told I had to be 16 (or 18 - can't quite remember) but by that point I really wasn't bothered about having them done and never have. I like the fact that my earlobes are in one piece and that it's quite unusual for a girl not to have them pierced. Now my tongue, on the other hand....

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