What age do you let your daughter have her ears pierced?

[Scrunchy95]

My daughter is 9, turning 10 in May. Quite a few girls in her year are getting their ears pierced, I assume as a 10th birthday present. She has asked when she will be allowed to have her ears pierced. I’m completely supportive, she should be allowed pierced ears, but it’s my baby girl. She still seems so tiny and it’s weirdly brutal to imagine happening. Then it’s a very noticeable part of her appearance. My gut as a Mum tells me to wait until she is 12 as this is more the cusp of becoming a teenager and a woman. But I remember being her age and desperately wanting to join the crowd with pierced ears. I don’t judge others with younger children with pierced ears this is completely personal. What age do you think it is acceptable to let your daughter pierce her ears? I’m open to influence.

I had mine done for my 10th, I let my dd at 8. As long as they are old enough to do the aftercare themselves I think it's ok

‘WatchingFromTheWings
My DD had hers done during the school holidays between junior school and comp. was very good about looking after them too.’

No my husband doesn’t think women who wear earrings are tarty. I’ve never heard him call any woman a tart. He’s just not into piercing generally. Our daughters tastes may differ from his and he’s okay with that. It’s not ‘such an issue’ so you can call off the attack.

Did it when DD was 9 as a birthday present. They used numbing cream and it didn't seem to hurt at all.

Sorry quoted the wrong person, no idea how I managed that was referring to MrsTSwift’s rather aggressive post

Lol, had to re-read my post twice to see what I'd said to offend! 😆

Mine was 7!! They're only earrings FFS. She's now 16 and has 5 holes in each ear (various parts of her ear). I think they look pretty.

Around 10 or 11 seems to be about average here. I had mine done at 3! This was back in the mid 80s though so maybe it was more acceptable then? My dd is only 4 and there’s no way I would allow it yet. I think I’d probably be ok with 10 onwards.

Last day of term in year 6, so age 11.

My dd was 6 and most of her friends had them done the same summer. It’s best to get them done at end of term before 6 weeks holiday so she’s able to take them out for pe.
It’s really not “brutal” dd flinched at the sound but she didn’t cry and said it didn’t hurt.
Never had any problems with her keeping them clean. I think age 9/10 is fine.

This is all really helpful everyone, thank you. I had forgotten how much looking after is required. Also that they need to be taken out for some activities. We will go for the first day of the Summer Holiday between year 6 and 7.

My 7 yr old has just had hers done.

It's only ears for goodness sake!

She's responsible and they look pretty.

The summer after she turned 10, all her friends had got them done years before.
Am regretting because DS2 is 9 and wants his ear/ears pierced when he gets to 10.

I'd be careful if you do them in the summer break between primary and secondary. They might not be healed enough for then to fiddle around putting them in and out for PE. Also, a local secondary around here has banned earrings full stop , new holes might heal up if they're not being worn in the day.

11yr old DD had hers done in January. She doesn't have as much sport in the winter or any holiday clubs until spring. They should be well healed before she starts secondary in Sept.

You aren't allowed to wear earrings in junior school around here (but can wear studs in senior school) so last day of Y6 almost all the girls get their ears pierced (I'd recommend needle method) so they have time to heal over the summer.

I was 8 - never had an issue keeping them clean etc so anything from then I would say

11

Honestly, I think any body modification should be an adult decision.

I’ve seen multiple girls who have developed significant keloid scaring after ear piercing.

It depends on the child. Dd2 had hers done at 7 because school changed the rules and allow earrings and they became the in thing. She looked after then herself from day one and could put them in and out herself after a few months.
Dd1 had hers done at age 10, really struggled to care for them herself and ending up letting them heal up.

My eldest daughter was 7 that was too young I felt. My middle daughter was 20! She didn't want hers done until then. My youngest was 9 nearly 10 and that's been fine. I would say please take your daughter to a professional that doesn't use a gun. It's much more hygienic to pierce with a needle. I researched.

Does SHE want to get her ears pierced or just following the crowd?
I think the age she's at now is fine as long as she is happy with how it's done (please don't go to Claire's) I was 9/10 when I got mine done and I'm still happy with the decision 20 years later.

I started nursery with having had my ears pierced twice! Don't know how my parents could have done it.. I think 10 is a fine age for her to decide, would be happy if that's what DD wanted around that age.

Age 3/4, over the Summer holiday, before she started reception. I wanted her ears fully healed. She is now 18.

My dd is 8 and wants them done. I have always said 12 and im sticking to it. She needs to be able to look after them herself.

Whatever age I bloody hate the “they look pretty” it buys into the narrative that girls/women can’t look “pretty” without modifications as well as the idea that girls should aspire to “look pretty” in the first place

DD will have hers done in the summer holidays before she turns 10.
This should give the piercings plenty of time to heal before she starts secondary school.
The rule there is that earrings must be removed for PE. In primary they can cover them with surgical tape.