Piercing Predicament

[Vertical15]

Piercing predicament

Rick Cochran

Help! My baby wants to mutilate her … ears!

OK, I guess piercing really isn’t mutilation, so to speak. However in my mind, it is not that far off track.

A little background here: At 16 (she will turn 17 in January, as I am often reminded), Grace is not a baby. But in my mind she is and you will never convince me otherwise. Recently she started her own relentless campaign to get a piercing in her ear cartilage. When I say relentless, I mean her techniques put those whiny politicians to shame.

I will admit that she is clever in her methods.

First, she knew I would be the tough one so she got her mother onboard first. Then the begging, pleading and even texting started. “Daddy, please! All my friends have it done.” I gave her the canned, “they are not my daughters” response.

You see, about six or seven years ago she got regular piercings in her earlobes.

I wasn’t crazy about the idea but I gave in. I went with her and my wife to the “disfigurement center” and I was a nervous wreck.

I understood that they would do both ears at the same time, I made sure she knew it was going to hurt a bit and I held on to her hands the whole time. When I heard the sickening double click I could barely make out her expression from behind my semi-flooded eyes. She flinched a bit but was fine. On the other hand, I needed a drink.

Now that I have finally gotten over that traumatic event, they want to put me through it again. I told her I don’t care for it and I don’t think it looks classy (my opinion and therefore it should stand for my family!). She hasn’t let up. Last night it started again and she asked, “Can I do it for the prom in the spring?” I replied that I didn’t think she would be 18 by then.

Then I looked at her—and threatened her, “Maybe I will write about it in my blog.” Her challenge was to go ahead and do it. She thinks everyone will back her up and then I will have to give in. She insists there is nothing wrong with the look and I am just old fashioned.

So what do you think? Am I being unreasonable? Please let me know. I promise to share the responses with Grace and then we will see if I change my mind. No promises.

In the spirit of election season, please vote TEAM DAD or TEAM GRACE.

(http://www.centralpennparent.com/Because-Im-the-Dad/September-2012/Piercing-predicament/)

[new_mom808]

 I had to let my tongue close when I got pregnant. I was all swollen in the begining, and it was making me miserable.....in hindsight I probably should have just gone an bought a longer barbell. LMAO.

Quoting Vertical15:

Thats kinda how I am about piercings.  I still have one in each ear my tongue and lip. 

Quoting TerriC:

I think at 17 she is old enough to make that kind of decision.  I would like to think when my girls are that age, with something like this, I would respect their desire to do it.  I am tattooed, so I would not have much room for argument!  LOL

 

 

[PrincessZ20]

My mom had her cartilage pierced when I had my third holes done, then took me when I was in high school to get my cartilage done.

I don't think it's a big deal, especially since she's 17 - she can do it herself in under a year anyway!

[PrincessZ20]

Quoting Vertical15:

I'm definately Team Grace-she is older not a child and they are just piercings.  She can take them out not like a tattoo. 

I'm pro-piercings.  I've had over 12 on my body through growing up (which really isn't a ton compared to some!).  Mostly between ages 17-24 and then got my first tattoo (and only) before delving into being a parent and being too busy to worry with that kind of stuff.  When my kids ask for anything like that I will decide then but I wouldn't be opposed to ear piercings on my boys if they wanted it.  Once they are 16+ though cartilage, and other piercings will be decided as we go.

I agree completely!  I've had a total of 10 holes in my ears, nose, tongue, and belly button pierced.  I still have 6 in my ears, belly button, and nose done.  I don't think they're a big deal - the ones I've taken out have closed completely.

I don't want to put an age limit on anything - I think requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis. 

[PrincessZ20]

Quoting TerriC:

I think at 17 she is old enough to make that kind of decision.  I would like to think when my girls are that age, with something like this, I would respect their desire to do it.  I am tattooed, so I would not have much room for argument!  LOL

Lol, same here! 

[karamille]

So.... do they plan on sending her off to college next year?  If you don't trust her enough at 17 to make a decision about piercing, do you trust her enough to go off to college?  Better let her to rebel a little with a piercing than send her off on her own with zero taste of spreading her wings

[MELRN]

IMHO   you are her parents and you make up the rules and in Jan 2014 she can make HER OWN choices  but today she lives under your domain ...... it's a matter of respect for you in your home... I"m tattooed and multi pierced all after I was no longer supported by my mom

[egyptian_mommy]

Exactly!

Quoting karamille:

So.... do they plan on sending her off to college next year?  If you don't trust her enough at 17 to make a decision about piercing, do you trust her enough to go off to college?  Better let her to rebel a little with a piercing than send her off on her own with zero taste of spreading her wings

[Vertical15]

I had issues with my eyebrow, it was my first piercing other then my ears and I don't know if I wans't caring for it properly or what but I gave up and took that one out.  I do have a decent scar but its not crazy visible unless you look for it.

Quoting new_mom808:

 I had to let my tongue close when I got pregnant. I was all swollen in the begining, and it was making me miserable.....in hindsight I probably should have just gone an bought a longer barbell. LMAO.

Quoting Vertical15:

Thats kinda how I am about piercings.  I still have one in each ear my tongue and lip. 

Quoting TerriC:

I think at 17 she is old enough to make that kind of decision.  I would like to think when my girls are that age, with something like this, I would respect their desire to do it.  I am tattooed, so I would not have much room for argument!  LOL

 

 

[sunshine86912]

 ugh, I let my belly button close up when I was pregnant with my first..I should have taken it out wayyyyy sooner!  Now I have a hang down skin thing from leaving it in and it stretching out. ewwww

Quoting new_mom808:

 I had to let my tongue close when I got pregnant. I was all swollen in the begining, and it was making me miserable.....in hindsight I probably should have just gone an bought a longer barbell. LMAO.

Quoting Vertical15:

Thats kinda how I am about piercings.  I still have one in each ear my tongue and lip. 

Quoting TerriC:

I think at 17 she is old enough to make that kind of decision.  I would like to think when my girls are that age, with something like this, I would respect their desire to do it.  I am tattooed, so I would not have much room for argument!  LOL

 

 

 

[sunshine86912]

 what if she pays for it herself? who is to say she wont continue to live in her parents home after she turns 18, I turned 18 in Nov, while I was still in High School, so I was in my parents home till May, but I still went and got my belly button done.  Just wondering..is all..NOT drama lol

Quoting MELRN:

IMHO   you are her parents and you make up the rules and in Jan 2014 she can make HER OWN choices  but today she lives under your domain ...... it's a matter of respect for you in your home... I"m tattooed and multi pierced all after I was no longer supported by my mom