Preschoolers and Pedicures
Over at Silicon Valley Moms Blog there is quite a discussion going on about preschoolers and pedicures. Is it appropriate for a kid who is still sucking her thumb to be getting a pedicure? My gut says no way in the world but... Now the NerdPie (4) would love for me to paint her toe nails but NerdDad and I have always agreed that she isn't old enough. But some of the commenters had some great points. How is this different than getting a toy as a reward? Or ice cream? But on the other hand, girls who start things this young start to feel entitled to certain treatment and I don't want to have to deal with that issue. So what do you all think? Chime in here and let me know!
Labels: child rearing
posted by NerdMom at
1:50 PM
3 Comments:
If I were in the habit of getting professional pedicures for myself, I might consider it for my very girly 5 year old daughter. But I am content with homestyle toes...
By
Anonymous, at 4:11 PM
We have always done nails as special mommy/daughter time. (Not an entitlement, but a treat) When I was pregnant with #2 and couldn't reach my toes, we frequently went to an inexpensive nail salon. They loved my daughter and would paint her fingers and toes for free. I wasn't sure how I felt about having my 2 year old get them done professionally. Was she going to become spoiled? She is now 4 1/2 and when I recently asked her what she would like to do for a special date with me she asked if we could go to our special place to get our nails done. I was so surprised she remembered about it and would choose that out of everything. She wanted to do it b/c of the fond memory. She knows that even if she comes w/me to receive a service that doesn't mean that she's getting one. But that's just me. We like doing the girly stuff.
By
Jacinda, at 3:35 PM
I paint my three older daughters' toes on occasion (6,5,2.5). It's fun and mostly harmless. I try to use a nail polish that is formaldehyde-free. I took my oldest daughter to a nail salon for her 5th birthday and she, her grandmother and I all got pedicures. It was fun and special for her, but not the main focus of her birthday. She's almost 7 now. I think that as long as you temper such things with a realistic idea of the importance of beauty products, you can make it a special thing you do with your daughters and it won't become a means of creating self-image-centered little girls. For me, the only time I do my toenails is with the girls, or when I am 8 months pregnant and I think a pedicure is in order. I don't put a lot of emphasis on makeup, rarely wearing it, except for special occasions. And my husband does a good job of reinforcing a good attitude about beauty products by always telling me how pretty he thinks I am ESPECIALLY, he says, because I don't wear makeup. So anyway, my point is that I think it can be done in a God-pleasing manner so long as you are careful to not abuse it and to keep the emphasis on the beauty of their relationship with God and their character, not the beauty of their exterior.
By
Joanna, at 6:35 AM
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