Ear piercing-- what age?

[Anonymous]

At what age will you let your daughter get her ears pierced? (Or sons-- not trying to be sexist.) I know that in some cultures the norm is when girls are babies, but I have to say I'm a little surprised at how many girls in my daughter's first grade class are getting them pierced. We've said not until she's older, maybe 12 or so, and I'm wondering if we're way out of the mainstream. We're not necessarily going to change our minds, but I'm just curious about the average age.

TIA

[Anonymous]

I would be fine with my daughter getting her ears pierced as long as she understands how painful it is and she is responsible enough to keep her ears clean during the healing process.

[Anonymous]

We let our daughter do it as soon as she could be responsible enough to clean them and take care of them. She was much younger than 12.

[Anonymous]

12 or until her nagging gets to be too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12 or until her nagging gets to be too much.

Exactly. My parents said 12 but broke down at 10.5. My 8 y.o. DD is begging but I am staying strong. However, she is one of the few in our catholic school who doesn't already have them done or isn't being allowed to get them for first communion.

[Anonymous]

I would let my 5 yo do it if she can stand the pain (which she can't).

But whenever she wants to - she knows it will hurt, but I will make it something special. Probably a birthday, and I'll make her beg for it for a little while first

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:12 or until her nagging gets to be too much.

Exactly. My parents said 12 but broke down at 10.5. My 8 y.o. DD is begging but I am staying strong. However, she is one of the few in our catholic school who doesn't already have them done or isn't being allowed to get them for first communion.

It's like being pecked to death by ducks.

[Anonymous]

I'm teaching my daughter her 3x multiples by tying the ages to significant milestones for her:

9 -- she can have a puppy
12 - get her ears pierced
15- wear a bikini
18 - vote
21- date a boy

[Anonymous]

I had mine done at 2 y.o. My 4 y.o. asked last week if she could do hers. I told her yes, but it would hurt for just a second like a shot. She hasn't asked again, but I'm ready to take her when she's ready.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you, OP. My mom made me wait until 12 or so and I told my daughter the same thing. She is 8 now and has only occasionally asked. Maybe half of her 2nd grade friends have pierced ears.

[Anonymous]

Whenever she'd like to go get it done. She's 10 and sometimes asks if she can or talks about it, but hasn't really been ready and wanted to.

[Anonymous]

My daughters were pierced at 4 weeks....

[Anonymous]

My mother beat you all and took me when I was freaking 16. At least I was very careful in keeping them clean so I got no infection or anything.

[Anonymous]

DD was 5 and after the first ear was pierced (they were supposed to do them both but one person was out sick) decided that she didn't want the other one done.

At first I tried to convince her but then came to my senses. Her body=her choice. So I told her that whenever she wants to get the other ear pierced to let me know. Until then I will let her be. She's more than happy with one pierced ear!

[Anonymous]

Whenever she'd like to go get it done. She's 10 and sometimes asks if she can or talks about it, but hasn't really been ready and wanted to.

Same here. Mine is 8 and she doesn't like the idea of the needle. She'll get her ears pierced when she can get past that.