[Saya]

My 2 and a half year old daughter REALLLLLLY wants to wear nail polish. I got my nails manicured once this fall and she's still talking about it. She has painted her nails with magic marker and/or crayons. We happened to mention in her presence that a new store that was opening up in the neighborhood was a nail salon, and now she keeps asking if we can go. Daddy said that maybe she and mommy could go this weekend, and now she's really into the idea.

I've never liked the idea of nail polish on little kids - thought it was really tacky - but now I'm thinking whatever, if she wants to do it why the heck not. But is this a terrible/tacky idea? Will people think I'm the mom with no morals and/or standards? Would you let your toddler wear nail polish if they really wanted to?

[loveajax]

oh, boy. i hate to admit this because i have never done it in my home, but DD is obsessed with having her nails done by Nana or her girl cousins. when we went for her two year pix (which were dang expensive!), i was mortified when i realized that she is wearing blue nailpolish in them!!!

I am soooo not a girly girl and DD so is, and I think it's OK to run with it if you think she will have fun!! (then again, i'm ok with acknowledging that I am tacky! haha!).

[devildogwife]

I'd take her and have fun! I'm sure she'll look really cute.

[aclee]

There are lots of places around here that do kids manicures and use none toxic polish etc. My nieces love them, and I took a little girl I was a Nanny for as a reward for stopping biting her nails...they all loved it!

[Saya]

Oooooh - Aclee you're right, I should totally see if they have kid-friendly non-toxic polish.

I guess I've just always been very big on "don't push kids into gender roles," so now when my daughter actually WANTS to be girly I'm a little taken aback. Then again she also wants daddy to get his nails done, so it's not really a girly thing for her - I think she just thinks it's cool. (Daddy says maybe one pinky. And only for like an hour.)

[DPline]

I don't even paint my own nails, but my daughter (just turned 5) has loved having hers done for a couple years now, so I figure what the heck!

[HappyTwinsMom]

I took my girls with me for pedicures when they were about 3 1/2. Maybe toes would be a good compromise?

[4everwaiting]

I think its a great idea! Not really a gender role thing, but to them its colors, not just plain... My niece loves to have her nails(fingers and toes) done, we usually stick the the lighter colors of pink and peach, with decals such as butterflies, flowers, hearts, things like that- nothing grown up looking, just cute...

I don't think its tacky at all, i think its sweet!

[CaddoRose]

My DD is a girly girl and always has been even though I'm not. She didn't get it from me. DD has always liked nail polish, makeup, lipstick, etc. It's a battle I chose not to fight. I have always allowed her to wear makeup and nail polish or whatever. When she was a toddler, she would put on a princess dress and do her makeup. She looked more like a princess clown, but so what. She was having fun.

[minibus]

I don't see anything wrong with it!

[jules17]

Originally Posted by Saya

I guess I've just always been very big on "don't push kids into gender roles," so now when my daughter actually WANTS to be girly I'm a little taken aback. I think she just thinks it's cool.

When our sons went to school, they had a "nail polish" day with other sensory stuff. Both of my boys had beautifully polished nails!!

[oceanica]

I think I was allowed at about age 5 and I loved it so much as a kid! Now I just don't get a chance but when A gets older we are going to do nails definitely together.

[mommy3]

With my oldest, who is now 23, I said "not until she was at least 13" and caved in when she painted them herself when she was about 11. It just seemed wrong to have the chemicals on her baby nails and yes, I had my nails done but, well, she accepted that it was for "big girls". Ahhh, now with my 3 year old, her big sister painted her nails "for something special" the last time she was home from college, so I've given up already at 3 years old! Just makes me laugh. My oldest said, "oh mom, it was always a dumb rule and I couldn't wait." I laughed and loved it that they made the choice together, with my littlest telling me, "L told me it was okay!" My youngest adores having her nails painted. I agreed to only sparkle on her fingernails and otherwise her toes are "anything goes" so they are quite an amazing fuschia at present. Lord help us! susan

[ourdreamcametru]

I personally don't like nail polish on little girls fingers but have been painting Castle's toes since she was tiny- 6 months maybe? I also don't care for pierced ears on little girls before 5 or 6 but that's just me.

[jarian]

I think it's perfectly fine...When my nieces wanted their nails painted, I usually went with with a very light pink color and/or smiley faces/flower decals. I think as long as it looks cute and fun and age appropriate, then it's ok!