AIBU to be unsure why my son had his nails painted at nursery

[badger82]

I'm open minded and would fully support any child of mine who chose to paint his nails sparkly at any point in life, but was somewhat surprised that his nursery fashioned an activity in which all the boys and girls painted each other's nails. He is 2.5

A bit strange?

Ah I see. Fair point about chemicals. I probably wouldn't have been bothered if it was a very occasional thing, but I can understand why people would.

I would have expected to be asked, just in case of any issues with what they were using to paint nails with. The nursery I use did a similar activity with face painting (not doing each other's faces though), we were asked in advance and told what brand the paints were.

I'm amazed they managed to get 2.5 yr olds to sit still and paint each other's nails.

Wouldn't have been happy if it was boy or girl for many of reasons already mentioned. I would be a bit puzzled by a nursery that thought this was a good activity for 2 year olds.

That's for all your responses, good to get thoughts. I'm all for being allowing of individual child preferences and am certainly not homophobic but just thought it odd to actively encourage little boys (there were mainly boys in the group) to do this!

If my son develops an interest in dressing up in girls clothes then fine that's up to him but this is a very early formative stage and why offer it as normal?!

Wouldn't be happy with this

It's just like face painting!

I can't imagine why homosexuality or dressing in 'girl's clothes' would even enter your head.

Face paints don't have fumes

As a one off I think it's fine.

So you think this is a bit to "girly" for your son he might be moulded into something he isn't is essentially what you are saying? Not sure why a nursery would be painting nails tbh it is not something i have come across but painting nails won't make your boy less of a boy.

Aaah so it's the "girly" that's your issue.

She doesn't want him to catch the gay.
Because of course all gay men wear nail polish.... Just none that I know

Nothing to do with chemicals

Ok for girls but not for boys? That attitude Is BU

We used to nail paint/face paint/stick on tattoo etc in holiday club sessions. Mainly for older ones but the little ones loved it. Only objection was one parent who hadn't signed to say she didn't want her child having his nails painted as she assumed she wouldn't need to because he was a boy

We had a letter listing those as some of the activities available and to notify management if the children weren't to do any ...did you have similar in your paperwork op?

if you have nail varnish remover in your house?
i dont think it is very safe idea to do it to toddlers, who generally have their fingers in their mouths a lot, whatever the sex of the toddler.

I'd be annoyed if I wasn't asked at that age, but not based on the gender of the child. I'd be annoyed because those are harsh chemicals that some kids could have a reaction to, and knowing my kid it would most likely end up everywhere.

Thanks everyone. It's good to reflect on why it's making me feel uncomfortable and to consider that further.

I intend as a parent to be fully supportive and allowing in my views but sometimes events mean I realise there are boundaries, conscious or subconscious that need to be acknowledged or challenged at least.

So thanks for the feedback

You are being incredibly unreasonable to think there is any link to nail painting and sexuality. Also nail painting is "normal". The emo boys you see around with painted nails are not cross dressers.
Christ alive, it's no wonder kids grow up with complexes and prejudices.

Where i work a lot of toddler boys have come with painted nails 1 little boy is the youngest of the family and has teenage sisters I guess he watches them and wants a bit of what they have got it is not a huge issue imo

Did you read the op s latest post

Did you read the op s latest post

Too young for all the chemicals I would feel. Dd is highly allergic to things which does make me wonder why a nursery would do this. Nail polish is not alowed generally in schools anyway so why encourage at nursery. Would not matter so much if it was the child friendly peelables like someone else said. Non toxic and low hassle for parents to remove. Does seem a strange thing to do.

My objection would be about all of the chemicals. Nail polish is really nasty stuff and I wouldn't have wanted it put on my kids tbh.

just thought it odd to actively encourage little boys (there were mainly boys in the group) to do this!

Why is it odd??

I know lots (literally I can name about 20 off the top of my head) of men who paint thier nails/wear eyeliner etc. Some of them are gay, a lot of them are not.

Surely framing it as a "girly" activity isn't healthy??

If you had posted being worried about the chemicals I would understand, but to complain becuase boys were encouraged to paint their nails???

Nah, I don't see a problem at all.

I'm currently remembering the massive hairy Scotsman in the tent next to us at a festival last year who was so impressed with my make up he asked me to do it on him....... "Egyptian" style blue eyeliner and blue nail varnish later....he looked bloody amazing!

Nothing to do with sexuality or "boy/girl" things ffs, just an interesting and decorative activity, that it is healthy to encourage all genders to do.

Why shouldn't boys decorate their bodies??

I blame the whole fucking trans thing....if a boy wants to wear a dress/eyeliner/nail varnish/ a sarong it does not mean they want to be a girl....it might just mean they like the decoration!
And why the hell not??

There is also a lovely bloke who works at a local shop who wears eyeliner, nail varnish and kilts a lot.

He looks amazing and totally owns his look.

I'd be very annoyed in respect of the chemicals but you are being very unreasonable in thinking it's not something boys should do.

You can't catch the gay you know.