Hot Topic (7/6) Ear Piercing Parties...For 6 year olds

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Ear-Piercing Parties ... for 6-Year-Olds

Thursday, June 25, 2009

 

This new trend is disturbing to one mom.

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Meanest Mom Jana Matthews: A few days ago, my six-year-old daughter received an invitation in the mail to a friend's birthday party. The party is being held at a children's hair salon in town. After being educated in the art of prepubescent hairstyling, each of the party guests will be treated to a beauty treatment of her choice: a manicure, a pedicure, a classy "up-do," or a free ear piercing. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a box labeled "tattoo," because I would have checked it.

Question # 1: Who throws an ear-piercing party for six-year-olds?!!

"Mani, pedi, or hairdo?" I asked my daughter, pencil in hand.

"I want my ears pierced!" she cried. The panic rose in her throat as she realized that my omission of her desired choice was not by accident.

I reminded my daughter of our agreement: she could get her ears pierced when she was eight. This proved to be small consolation to a six-year-old with a penchant for glittery hoops.

A few days later, I was telling this story to my friend when she broke me off mid-sentence. "You're not seriously thinking about letting your daughter get her ears pierced anytime soon, are you?" she asked.

That's when I heard about nasty infections, imbedded studs, earrings that rip through ear lobes, and a host of other problems endemic to pint-sized pierced ears. To be honest, I had never thought about the "proper age" to get one's ears pierced, but the more friends I spoke with, the more I realized that a lot of people have very strong opinions about when it's okay -- and when it's not -- to pierce your daughter's ears.

So what's your take?

Question # 2: When did you let or when do you plan to let your daughter pierce her ears and why?

A six-year-old with a fondness for hoops (and her mother) wants to know!

[WildKat]

My own 6yoDD wanted hers peirced for awhile last fall, when she saw a school friend's had been peirced.  I told her not yet, and she honestly hasn't mentioned it in months.  My rules are this:

1.  She has to be old enough to take care of them on her own.  Mine got infected (and eventually closed) because I was too immature to remember the upkeep and I know my daughter is the same way...  very forgetful.  When she can take care of them I will okay it if she still wants them.

2.  I have to know that it's HER that wants them peirced... because she likes the way they look.  Not because it's a phase, not because her friend had it done, and not because my ($@%#%) step-mother-in-law is always begging to be the one to take her.  It has to be HER idea, and she has to want it for awhile before she'll get it done.  

For now, I buy her those little sticker earrings when I see them and we both get our way - no maintenance and no permanent consequences.

Peace,

Kat 

[mrs_khan07]

Whatever happened to little girls dressing up in mommy's clothes and jewelry and being happy with that? Now they want manis and pedis? Oh man. I can't imagine raising a girl in today's society. I had my ears pierced when I was 7 and it turns out they used crappy metal that I was allergic to and they got really infected. It was a very painful experience that a child shouldn't have to deal with. I don't think little girls need body jewelry at all. I'd say at least 14.

[dereksmommy1227]

 If you don't want your daughter to have her ears peirced then don't take her. You can also opt out of the ear peircing part. I'm sure there are legal forms that must be signed by a guardian so no signature... no peircing.  

[Angelina052105]

I agree 14 is good, I took good care of mine when I was 11 though...depends on the maturity of the child I suppose...

Quoting mrs_khan07:

Whatever happened to little girls dressing up in mommy's clothes and jewelry and being happy with that? Now they want manis and pedis? Oh man. I can't imagine raising a girl in today's society. I had my ears pierced when I was 7 and it turns out they used crappy metal that I was allergic to and they got really infected. It was a very painful experience that a child shouldn't have to deal with. I don't think little girls need body jewelry at all. I'd say at least 14.

[rella8672]

My daughter went to a party at a children's salon and they painted their nails and played dress up and they all got up dos.They had a great time.What little girl doesn't love to play dress up? I think the ear piercing thing is a bit odd to have at a birthday party.I had my daughters ears pierced when she was a baby.If you don't want  your child's ears pierced then don't so it...not so hard.

[Eilish]

What happened to sticker earrings and clip ons?

[mommyof035and6]

My oldest DD got her ears pierced for her 7th birthday...we havent had any problem with them.....my younger dd got hers done last year right around her 5th birthday...we had a little bit of a problem with them healing but they're fine now and no problems....the 5 yr old didnt even cry...

my now 8 yr old wants to have her next party at Claire's...

my 5 yr old... 

[tericared]

Just like a tatt, my girls can have them done when they dont need my sig..my oldest was 18 when she got hers... 

[Mommy_of_Riley]

Well I was 7 and I took care of them myself.  I never got an infection and still have them pierced today.  I think it depends on the parent...  if you don't want it done, don't take them.

For me, my daughter is only 2 months old right now and we are planning to get them done when my husband comes home in September (he is a Marine)... so she will be almost 4 months old when she gets her ears pierced.

I don't think ear piercings are nearly as bad as other things some kids do these days...

[Godgaveme4]

I had mine pierced on my 12th birthday.  It was a big deal.  My Aunt (God-mother) took me out for lunch, a little shopping, and then my ears pierced.  I want that for my daughter.  except I will be the one taking her.