Pierced Ears?

[Rouge]

I guess it's no different to any other type of parenting choice... people weigh up risks and make a decision that is best for them.

Did I pierce my ears for myself? No I didn't. I did it because I had it done when I was little I don't remember it and I've never ever ever thought to myself I wish my parents hadn't put me through such awful mutilation... not once. I sat with my friends at 6, 10, 12 and saw how terrified they were, how some got infected because they played with them with dirty hands etc and the rejections.

I just asked my daughter in a very unbiased way if she wished I hadn't got her ears pierced (now keep in mind we've never talked about it before) and her response was "no way!" I said but would you have preferred to choose it for yourself. To which she replied "Mum you know what I'm like with needles/pain... if you didn't do it I don't know that I ever would have."

So maybe I'm just lucky but that is why I did it because that is how I felt too.

So not all mothers do it out of their own selfish reasons. I know I didn't. And can I just say I've heard mothers say the opposite too... I have a gf who said she wasn't going to get it done because she wanted to take her to get it done when she was old enough to feel and remember the pain so she wouldn't go nuts and get herself pierced all over in her teens. And I know this isn't the case as I know plenty of people who never had their ears pierced but went on to have many piercings.

Just because it is not something you would do please don't make assumptions about another persons reasons for why they make the parenting choices they are. I am not a monster nor am I ignorant or sadistic.

[MummaSue]

My friend is from Goa, but she lives here now. She has a 9 month old daughter and her family have been pressuring her to get her DD's ears pierced since birth
That's the norm in their culture. She was shocked to hear my thoughts on the matter and how I expressed the pain that the little girl was in when I pierced her ears. She didn't think it hurt!!

[Lulu]

but why?

It was never on my radar until this thread either! Just curious. I'm not thinking along the lines of mutilation and I know it's sometimes cultural.

I LOVE those little bangles too, they rock my world. If I could have afforded that beautiful gold Beth would have been adorned from wrist to ankle.

It just seems so young to have them done before....I dunno - 5?

[Rouge]

Lucy in my experience its best young or older. In between are more susceptible to infection because kids fiddle. DD never touched them EVER. Still doesn't.

I don't know how else to explain it other than I already have.

[Lulu]

Fiddle factor? I get it.

I was happy to make DD wait till she was 11, I spose I don't think it's that important.

However 26 piercings from the age of 16 to 18 prove that they are rather important to HER

[Fleur]

I was 7 when I got mine done & had nothing but problems with them (but that is still the case & just my ears I think). Panda was about 6 I think when she got hers done. I'm not a huge fan of pierced ears on babies but that's JMO. I do agree with everyone else about not going behind your DH's back though - as one PP put it, you have to think about if the situation were reversed, how would you feel.

I have a gf who said she wasn't going to get it done because she wanted to take her to get it done when she was old enough to feel and remember the pain so she wouldn't go nuts and get herself pierced all over in her teens.

Had to laugh at that, if only it were that easy! I have a daughter who is so bad with any kind of pain - that is apart from that which she chooses to inflict on herself - she has pierced her own ears 6 times now, by herself and is continually nagging for more piercings - this is the same girl that it takes me weeks to get her in for a blood test because she "doesn't like needles"...

[toomanyshoes]

IHad to laugh at that, if only it were that easy! I have a daughter who is so bad with any kind of pain - that is apart from that which she chooses to inflict on herself - she has pierced her own ears 6 times now, by herself and is continually nagging for more piercings - this is the same girl that it takes me weeks to get her in for a blood test because she "doesn't like needles"...

Can totally relate, I go white at the thought of a blood test/injection but I'll happily sit in a piercers chair!

[angelaartsstudent]

Can totally relate, I go white at the thought of a blood test/injection but I'll happily sit in a piercers chair!

LOL I am a sicko and will watch ALL needles, piercings and medical procedures on myself. I even watched the Dr cut out my Implanon when it was causing me trouble...and it was hard to get out becuase of a huge amount of scar tissue around it.

But I watch all piercings I've had!

[toomanyshoes]

LOL I am a sicko and will watch ALL needles, piercings and medical procedures on myself. I even watched the Dr cut out my Implanon when it was causing me trouble...and it was hard to get out because of a huge amount of scar tissue around it.

But I watch all piercings I've had!

Oh I have no problem with "gore" or even watching piercings just blood test and injections on myself Maybe from when I was little and a Dr tried to get blood from me 12 times when my mum left the room, still remember her walking back in and saying, "if you touch her again I'll stab you!"

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Thank you again everyone... personally i don't think they are tacky, i think they can be quite cute and i'm not specifically doing it as the 'in thing' or to materialise her, i am more looking at it from the point she will never really remember the pain in 10yrs time etc etc.

Thank you all for your very valued opinions i wont be doing anything without DP's knowledge

[*Efjay*]

I don't agree getting them done at an age that they don't understand. But they do look cute. but on the comment of not remembering the pain... What if they don't like them later on. they can take them out but then have a hole KIWM? I have a friend who never wears earrings & doesn't like she has holes.

But I am so glad to read that you wouldn't actually get them done behind your DH's back!

[Eng]

I had DD done when she was 7 months old, never had any problems with them, however I did go to a pro not just the run of the mile hairdresser.. They numbed her ear with some cream and DD didnt even flinch nor did she cry.

Now that she is 3 1/2 years old she loves them..

I had mine done when I was 6 months old and Im so greatful my mother did them when I was little cos I cant stand needles and for me it worked out well..

If it was me I think you and your DP need to sit down and talk about it.. I wouldnt do it on the sneak.. But thats me.. Good luck I hope you find out what works for you..