Need advice: My son wants to paint his nails

Nanda · #1 03-13-2007, 03:17 PM

Now, if he were 15, this would be a no-brainer, but he's five. I don't have a problem with it myself; in fact, I'm big on not pushing gender roles onto our children, but my husband doesn't see it that way. He's concerned about the other children (and even adults) who might laugh at him and pick on him, so every time I paint my son's nails, he gets angry. My son just wants to look pretty.

What would you do?

FatMan · #2 03-13-2007, 03:19 PM

Let him do it...

Just pick out the color clear. That's what we did with my son.

Nanda · #3 03-13-2007, 03:21 PM

That's not a bad idea. I think he likes the bright colors, but knowing that daddy always says no, maybe he'd be willing to compromise.

Jaymes · #4 03-13-2007, 03:23 PM

I'd tell my SO it was the problem of other people if they didn't like my son's painted nails and let him paint them anyway. You can't protect your kid from everything that could possibly result in teasing for them. And let's face it: They're going to be teased either way. It's the way kids work. I wouldn't stress over it.

Nanda · #5 03-13-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaymes

I'd tell my SO it was the problem of other people if they didn't like my son's painted nails and let him paint them anyway. You can't protect your kid from everything that could possibly result in teasing for them. And let's face it: They're going to be teased either way. It's the way kids work. I wouldn't stress over it.

I've tried that, and it doesn't seem to matter to him. He's very stubborn on this issue.

lunamoth · #6 03-13-2007, 03:45 PM

Fatman beat me to it--go with clear (or maybe clear with sparkles since he's five).

I bet you could find some kind of cool Superman nail stickers too!

Jaymes · #7 03-13-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanda

I've tried that, and it doesn't seem to matter to him. He's very stubborn on this issue.

Then in that case my thought would be that he actually has Issues with boys painting their nails, and I'd try talking to him about it.

Personally on things like that I wouldn't back down on letting him paint his nails and damn what other people think, but that's me.

Nanda · #8 03-13-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaymes

Then in that case my thought would be that he actually has Issues with boys painting their nails, and I'd try talking to him about it.

Personally on things like that I wouldn't back down on letting him paint his nails and damn what other people think, but that's me.

This is what I suspect as well, though when asked "What if he were 15?" his response is "Then he can make his own decision; but he's not 15, he's 5." Then again, when I press the issue, he gets very defensive. When I mentioned the clear polish idea to him a few moments ago, he said "No, I don't want him getting accustomed to it, period. Because you'll start off with clear, and then other colors will be next..." Which, in his defense, is probably true. So now I'm back to square one.

ChristineES · #9 03-13-2007, 04:26 PM

My daughter paints her nails with this polish that washes off in water. It wears off very quickly. Maybe you could try this with your son. If he is teased and wants it off, you can wash it off very quickly.

If you don't want him to have it all, you will have to tell him no and keep to your word. He may pout for awhile, but he will stop in time. Being a parent is not a fun job all the time.