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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

13 year old and ear stretchers....help!

54 replies

Fragglewump · 12/10/2013 12:11

Dss is 13 and getting ear stretchers. This is being allowed by his mum. Dh and I are sad and concerned that this will damage not only his ears but future prospects. Are we old farts who need to get a grip? Or is there anything we can and should do? Help!

OP posts:
Oceansurf · 13/10/2013 13:14

13?? Oh dear me. Ugh. They are awful at any age imo, but each to their own and all that. But not when he's a child.

WiddleAndPuke · 13/10/2013 13:37

God, why do people want this done?? It's absolutely hideous.

I doubt there's much you can do really OP, particularly if his mother is supporting him. Does she have MH problems?

TeenAndTween · 13/10/2013 14:04

Against rules of DD's school.

mrsjay · 13/10/2013 17:00

DD has streched both her ears I think she went as far as 10mm maybe 8 she is now nearly 21 and her holes went back to normal she did it in her pierced ear I dont think it is a huge deal there is far worse things a 13 yr old can be doing to their body , I think if his mum said yes make sure he doesn't force them through and he has the patience to wait,

mrsjay · 13/10/2013 17:01

I doubt there's much you can do really OP, particularly if his mother is supporting him. Does she have MH problems?

oh stop it do you think a parent who allows ear piercin g has MH problems

Original poster
Fragglewump · 13/10/2013 17:05

Hmm sadly dss has inherited his non-existent patience from his dad!!

OP posts:
mrsjay · 13/10/2013 17:11

if he is going to do it really quickly tell him his ear lobes might split I know you don't like them and it is ok to disapprove he wants you to disapprove and tut or there would be no reason for him to try and rebel Wink

Sparklingbrook · 13/10/2013 17:19

I didn't realise they were reversible, I thought you were stuck with them. I feel a bit better about them now, but I think they are best left until they are older.

They do make me feel a bit funny though.

mrsjay · 13/10/2013 17:20

they used to give me the creeps tbh dd would take it out to put another stud thingy it and my insides would churn

mrsjay · 13/10/2013 17:21

the studs she wore after streching were covered so you couldnt see through they iyswim

Sparklingbrook · 13/10/2013 17:22

YY like that mrsjay-you get used to it presumably?

mrsjay · 13/10/2013 17:23

yeah i suppose I was quite glad when she decided to take them out for good though

Fairylea · 13/10/2013 17:31

My dh has them. Quite large ones too, in both ears.

He is a university graduate and works in a senior management position in retail for a global company.
He wears a suit and tie every day.

He has never had anyone say anything negative about them except at one interview where they asked if he could wear flesh coloured plugs so they weren't noticeable.

He generally wears wood black plugs and they look quite smart.

However, he now says he wishes he had not done it and is looking into minor surgery (done at piercing studios) to have them sewn up. When done well you can hardly see they were ever stretched.

DropYourSword · 13/10/2013 17:36

He'll have to learn patience if he wants to stretch his lobes!

Primadonnagirl · 13/10/2013 17:46

Why????????? Each to their own I know..but I'm genuinely perplexed why anybody wants to do this? I'm sorry and know someone is going to say its just like a piercing or a tattoo, but IMO its much more severe than that and not remotely attractive.Im not being judgey.. As I say I am genuinely baffled that anybody looks at them and says ...."Oooh! I want that!" They make me

Original poster
Fragglewump · 13/10/2013 17:53

I suspect primadonnagirl that is exactly why a grumpy teenage boy is attracted to it!

OP posts:
mrsjay · 13/10/2013 17:57

dd wore the plugs ( i couldnt remember what they were called before thanks fairy) she got some with designs on them they looked nice it was just the taking in and out that would make me queasy

pinkyredrose · 13/10/2013 18:11

widdle Mental health problems? What the fuck are you on about? !

DownstairsMixUp · 13/10/2013 18:22

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Fragglewump · 13/10/2013 18:34

I'm getting the feeling lobe stretchers are like marmite.

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 13/10/2013 18:44

Well it doesn't seem like saying 'Over my dead body' will help at all so I think you're best off respecting his choice - even when it's a bit daft. Help him keep it clean and safe and when/if he gives up and it out say nothing at all. Really it's best not to 'see' it all. If you praise it that's encouragement and if you oppose it then that's even more encouragement. Just let it become invisible.

TheAlyssWithTheMewlingQuim · 13/10/2013 18:51

The general rule of thumb tends to be don't stretch your ears bigger than your baby finger if you want them to shrink back.

WiddleAndPuke · 13/10/2013 18:52

Because I can't believe that a mentally sound adult would go along with a THIRTEEN YEAR OLD CHILD having potentially irreversible, great flappy holes in themselves.

It was just a question. I'm not suggesting that everyone with MH problems would do such a thing, or that everyone with flappy holes has MH problems, or that there's anything wrong with having MH problems etc etc etc.

nocarsgo · 13/10/2013 18:58

You have to be VERY VERY slow with lobe stretching, or you risk getting a blowout.

Make sure your DS really does his homework when it comes to stretching slowly and responsibly. Get him to research blowouts, what they look like and how to prevent them.

Sadly I suspect a 13 year old won't be mature enough to do this responsibly but... his ears, his mistakes.

DownstairsMixUp · 13/10/2013 19:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.