Q&a: Girls Will Be Girls

Dear Meg: My five year old daughter wants to pierce her ears. She also always wants her nails polished. Is this too much too soon?

I recommend that parents make their daughters wait until they are are closer to middle school or junior high (6-7th grade.) until they are allowed to have their ears pierced. This is the time when they are beginning to go through puberty and I feel that at this age, they are old enough to wear some jewelry and take car of their pierced ears. Also, delaying pierced ears gives the girls something to look forward to.

So often kids get too many “grown up” privileges too early.

As far as 5 year old girls painting their fingers and toes, I think that this is fine in private. They love to play dress up and pretend that they are moms or grown ups. When nail polish is used for play, it is harmless. I would remove it before she goes out in public.

She’s only young once and I think that it’s nice to keep her young for as long as possible.

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