My 10 yo son lets his best friend paint his nails and give him makeovers when she comes to sleep over. He also dresses up with her and they pretend their having a fashion show (she also enjoys playing video games, having burp contests and wrestling with him). He enjoys it and isn't one to care what others think so I'm happy for him.

OP here thank you for all the positive and even critical comments. DH and I laughed so hard at some of them. I never expected so many responses on such a harmless subject. We enjoyed those who psychoanalyze our parenting skills. You're right our son does rule the roost and we can't tell him no. He wants a tattoo like mine so we're going to get him inked up tomorrow. I was going to be snarky and reply back to some of them individually but in the end there's no need too, we win. We're building fond memories with our little one. He's going to grow up and remember all the love fun and positive times we spent with each other. For those worried about him sucking on his fingers he stopped doing that a couple of years ago. He moved on and is chewing on straws now. Seriously have some fun with your children they will appreciate it.

Anonymous wrote:I would only be okay with the ladies on here saying no if they also wouldn't want to paint a five year old girl's nails. I don't paint my five year old girl's nails because she puts her hands in her mouth and I don't want her ingesting nail polish. If I had a boy who put his hands in his mouth, I would say the same thing. If I had a boy or girl who didn't suck their fingers, then I would happily let them wear whatever color nail polish they want.

Most of them saying "no, I wouldn't be OK with a girl at that age" are lying. They just know that admitting that they think it's OK for girls and not boys is not socially acceptable, especially in this area and on DCUM, so they lie to make themselves look less bad and to pretend that they're not giant sexist hypocrites.

Anonymous wrote:I would only be okay with the ladies on here saying no if they also wouldn't want to paint a five year old girl's nails. I don't paint my five year old girl's nails because she puts her hands in her mouth and I don't want her ingesting nail polish. If I had a boy who put his hands in his mouth, I would say the same thing. If I had a boy or girl who didn't suck their fingers, then I would happily let them wear whatever color nail polish they want.

Most of them saying "no, I wouldn't be OK with a girl at that age" are lying. They just know that admitting that they think it's OK for boys and not girls is not socially acceptable, especially in this area and on DCUM, so they lie to make themselves look less bad.

I would only be okay with the ladies on here saying no if they also wouldn't want to paint a five year old girl's nails. I don't paint my five year old girl's nails because she puts her hands in her mouth and I don't want her ingesting nail polish. If I had a boy who put his hands in his mouth, I would say the same thing. If I had a boy or girl who didn't suck their fingers, then I would happily let them wear whatever color nail polish they want.

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Anonymous wrote:I was having my nails done today when my 5-year-old son asked if boys can have their nails painted too. I told him it's not really for boys but if he wanted to try it I would paint his nails for him. On our way home we stopped and picked out some blue nail polish, his favorite color. It was fun watching him get excited over nail polish. He sat on the bed giddy about having his nails done. When I was finished I painted his toes to match. He was so excited he called his grandparents and told them all about it. My husband rolled his eyes and shook his head about this. Let me be clear this was for fun only. I'm not trying to feminize my son.

My 5-year-old son has painted toenails. I don't plan to have it that way when he starts kindergarten, but for the summer, it's fine. He has pink and purple sparkles to match his sister's nails. FWIW, I don't paint my nails - ever.

Why can't he have painted toenails in Kindergarten?

I have no thoughts on boys with nail polish. None. I don't care. Let your son do what he wants.

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Anonymous wrote:Anyone who has a negative opinion because a 5 year old enjoys their nails painted should do some soul-searching, because it's really not OK or normal to shame a 5 year old for wanting to paint his nails.

OP, who cares what a bunch of internet strangers think. Your DS enjoyed it? Great.

A parents role is to guide said 5 YO, not give in to his every whim.

They are guiding him, just in a way with which you disagree. So sad for you.

You, on the other hand, are an adult clinging to ridiculous outdated gender roles in 2021, so even sadder for you.

I know many middle school/Hs boys who paint their nails.

It’s not a big deal.

I painted my sons nails when he was little and asked me to do so. That lasted about a month. He preferred I paint his face as a tiger.

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Anonymous wrote:Anyone who has a negative opinion because a 5 year old enjoys their nails painted should do some soul-searching, because it's really not OK or normal to shame a 5 year old for wanting to paint his nails.

OP, who cares what a bunch of internet strangers think. Your DS enjoyed it? Great.

A parents role is to guide said 5 YO, not give in to his every whim.

Guide them to sensible beliefs about gender equality. Guide them to confidence in their body. Guide them to the courage to stand out from their peers.

Yep, I agree 100%, it's a large part of the reason why I say yes to this request.

You have no idea how far off base you are if you equate wearing nail polish with gender “equality.”

He's 5. It doesn't mean anything. They also get excited about ice cream, farts and imaginary super heros.

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Anonymous wrote:Anyone who has a negative opinion because a 5 year old enjoys their nails painted should do some soul-searching, because it's really not OK or normal to shame a 5 year old for wanting to paint his nails.

OP, who cares what a bunch of internet strangers think. Your DS enjoyed it? Great.

A parents role is to guide said 5 YO, not give in to his every whim.

Guide them to sensible beliefs about gender equality. Guide them to confidence in their body. Guide them to the courage to stand out from their peers.

Yep, I agree 100%, it's a large part of the reason why I say yes to this request.

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Anonymous wrote:You do you.

Personally, I don’t like it.

And I think it’s partly because I know that the kid has asked for it and the parents don’t have the boundaries to say no. Therefore his nails are painted. The actual nail painting has no effect on me it just tells me who rules the roost.

Boundaries?? Who the F cares if the kid paints his nails? Would you let a girl do it? Or does she need boundaries for this terrible activity - nail painting.

No, I would not.

Loosen up. Really.

Ditto. It’s called different parenting styles. Try and be open minded. Like I said, it has no effect on me but I don’t like it. She asked for my thoughts so there you have it.

Nice try to clean up your mess. You said parents that allow it have no boundaries. Which is different than saying we all have our own parenting styles. Oh and let’s be open minded.

Oh, yeah, I stand by that. Can’t say “no” to the kid but that’s my opinion of the parents and I also said painting has no effect of me. It’s like when I see kids wearing their Halloween costumes in the spring time. It’s cute, but I can also tell those are the parents who can’t say no to the kids. She asked for my opinion and there you have it. I’m not sure why you’re so upset about it. Whatever, who cares! Have a nice day.

I just hope your kids have an opportunity to learn logic from someone other than you. “Can’t say no” only applies if it’s something a parent wanted to say no to, but didn’t. It doesn’t apply when it’s something the parents are indifferent towards.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do you.

Personally, I don’t like it.

And I think it’s partly because I know that the kid has asked for it and the parents don’t have the boundaries to say no. Therefore his nails are painted. The actual nail painting has no effect on me it just tells me who rules the roost.

I have plenty of boundaries with my kid. I don't see this as something to say no to. I would assume someone who tells their boy no, and not their girl, is allowing society and sexism to rule their roost.

Having said that, I prefer to paint my kids' toes, just because I don't love seeing their chemically fingernails go in their mouths.

Anonymous wrote:My 7 year old has constantly painted his nails since he was 3 or 4. It makes him happy. The kids at school admire it. Once a little girl gave him a hard time saying nail polish is only for girls, and he was able to vocalize, “Well, I like it, and I’m not a girl, so I guess it is for anyone who likes it.” My heart was so proud—he’s such an awesome kid who is learning to be confident in his own decisions and desires.

This is great! I hope my kids can have that level of confidence!