I got my daughter's ears pierced at 3 months old. mine were also pierced when i was an infant.

I did my girls whenever they asked. I wanted them to be excited about it and to remember it. My oldest got it on her 4th birthday. Because of Covid I had to wait outside on the sidewalk but I could see her (only one person allowed in at a time). She took very good care of them.

I had friends whose parents made them wait for 12 or 16 and my friends were so upset about the arbitrary number and how they weren’t allowed to be like their friends.

Anonymous wrote:I would argue for a little earlier than 10 - maybe 7-9? There is some benefit to getting it done while they're still at an age where they don't resist your help with the aftercare. But I agree with waiting until they ask - I don't think they'll be scarred, but it does seem like a decision to make for one's self.

We did it at 8 and it was a good age. She had been asking for close to a year at that point. She was self sufficient and responsible, but didn’t push back or argue when I banned cheap earrings that make her ears bleed from irritation. She could do it on her own, but also let me help when I could see she needed it.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see why a four year old needs earrings?

Nobody needs earrings. Some four year olds want them though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see why a four year old needs earrings?

So what age would you say “needs” earrings?

Old enough to have a sense of permanence about bodily modifications and their own aesthetic. So maybe 11-13?

I thought it would be 10 for us as well, but at 8 my kids were pretty responsible and able to handle it. In fact my current 8 year old just got hers done and remembers on her own to turn her ears and clean them 3 times a day.

Based on the classmates of 3 kids now, somewhere between 2nd and 3rd grade is pretty common, though there are definitely families that do older. 1st is on the early edge.

I would argue for a little earlier than 10 - maybe 7-9? There is some benefit to getting it done while they're still at an age where they don't resist your help with the aftercare. But I agree with waiting until they ask - I don't think they'll be scarred, but it does seem like a decision to make for one's self.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see why a four year old needs earrings?

So what age would you say “needs” earrings?

Never, which is why the kid needs to be mature and able to make an informed decision about the procedure and aftercare.

10-12ish

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see why a four year old needs earrings?

So what age would you say “needs” earrings?

10 was our policy too. Old enough to care for the ears and be sure of the decision.

I don’t see why a four year old needs earrings?

Craig Pokes You does both at once. I'm not sure if they pierce that young though. Honestly, I think that's too young. Mine just got hers done at 10 and getting the earrings in and out has been a journey. There is NO WAY she would have tolerated it as a four year-old.

10-12 sounds good to me.

I had my ears pierced at 5 years old. The earring caught on my brother’s sweater and ripped my lobe in half. Still have a scar to this day at 40.

I started asking for it when I was 3, and got told I could get my ears pierced after demonstrating I could take good care of jewelry (not taking it off outside the house, keeping my jewelry box neat and organized.

Don't worry about being embarrassed. Everyone knows kids cry. Take your kid to a tattoo and piercing place rather than cutesy Claires. Warn her ahead of time that once she's done one, she must do the other one.