Would you let your 12 year old have her belly button pierced

[Hockeychic]

Well, I did. I caved. She was asking for that or her nose pierced so I decided the button was the worse of 2 evils. I figured she is approaching the teen years and I plan to pick my battles very carefully. DH was not thrilled with it but as I told him it is just a hole. She does have each ear pieced 3 times so she knows how to take care of it and I have been helping her.

The reason for my post is I have been getting mixed reactions from alot of our friends.

Am I totally wrong....??? Actually I think I will make this a poll.

I have also advised her that if it becomes infected it comes right out, I will not risk her health and the place that we had it done has a great reputation and I made sure everything they used came out of serilized packages....

Also keep in mind she is not a wild child, she gets good grades, plays competitive hockey and enjoys snowboarding. She has alot of friends but I know everyone of them as they are in our house all the time....lol

 

[poohandwendy]

No

Am I totally wrong....???

Your child your decision. I couldn't begin to know whether it is a right or wrong one.

 

[chasbos]

No, I would not! And believe me I am a very liberal parent who likes to give my children choices and some freedom!

I also have 4 daughters - 14, 12, 10 & 7 (so I am in a lot of the same battles you are!)

My oldest really wants her nose pierced - DH and both agreed NO! Well actually DH said yes but only if she tied a chain from the nose ring to the ear ring! She told him no way she would look rediculous - we just laughed at her!

I personally think that kids are growing up way too fast now a days and they want to be 18 when they are only 12!

Ask your daughter why she wants a belly button ring - who is going to see it?

Also, it is a very dangerous area if infection ever set in. My Mom is a nurse and she was going to get my DD pictures of patients that have come in with serious infections from both the nose and belly button. She as a nurse is very against them.

That is just my opinion though!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Since my dd didn't bug me about this at 12 I can't say for sure. I would have been inclined to make her wait til 16yo. But you have to pick your battles so it depends on the child, I would guess.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I voted no because I would not allow MY child to do it. But each child is different and as her mother you would best know the responsibility your child is capable of. I agree you have to pick your battles, I pick my battles with DH and Remy is really looking forward to the mystical age of 16 when so many wonderful things get to happen LOL. That is when DH says she can wear makeup, date, drive, and get pierced.

 

[poohandwendy]

Just wanted to add my reasons for saying no. The exposed belly, low riding jeans look is inappropriately sexual for a young girl, in my opinion. (stressing: in my opinion, for my kids)

But, I am curious. Why are you asking the opinions of others? If you feel you made the right decision, you should feel confident that your opinion is the only one that matters.

 

[WDWAurora]

I'm inclined to agree with the poster who wanted to know who was going to see it...I wanted one at a few points in time but I'm SO glad my parents disagreed...

 

[aprincessmom]

I voted no because I would not allow MY child to do it.

Exactly. Your child, your decision.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

No battle here. The answer is "no", period.

 

[va32h]

No way. Not in a million years. I would say no to belly button and nose.

If my children want any part of themselves pierced, they can wait until they are 18 and don't need my permission to do so.

 

[Hillbeans]

Just my opinion here -

I think belly button rings, body piercings, tattoos, bikini waxes, acrylic nails, etc., are for adults only. Maybe it's just me, but I think kids are growing up way too fast. Why would a 12 year old want a belly button ring if she can't show it off?

While I agree that as an adult we have to pick our battles as a parent, I think 12 is just too young - she's not even a teenager yet. Maybe i'd consider it at 16 but not at 12.

I also believe though that not everyone shares my beliefs either, and to each their own.

 

[Hockeychic]

Just curious that is all, not saying anyone is a good, bad or indifferent parent for there choice. I forgot to add that she is almost 13....not that, that changes anyone mind but she will be 13 in just over a month. She does wear low rider jeans but I think that is all they sell these days. However, her button is never exposed because i won't let her wear tops that show her tummy. She has alot of friends who have the nose piercings and I didn't want something on her face so like a said it was a compromise.

I am not a bad parent, I am very active in both my kids lives and think I have raised 2 pretty good kids.

I am not asking for anyone to tell me I did the right thing and if my original post said that I am sorry as I wasn't looking for that. Just like I said I was curious to what other parents would do.

 

[Blondy876]

I would never allow my dd to do it at 12 or 16. Once she is 18 she can do what she wants, at 18 she's a "gown up". But 12?!?! Belly button rings are for showing off your belly. Showing off your belly is sexual. There is no way I would encourage a 12 year old to be sexual. She's 12, she's a child. I'm really troubled by the fact that you found a piercer that would do it.

(BTW I have a belly button ring, but I got it when I was 25)

 

[lovemygoofy]

This is a strange question I know but how can she wear a belly button ring and play hockey? Aren't you supposed to wear the belly button ring for a full year or close to it before taking it out or changing it?

I voted no about letting my child get a ring but that's because I just think it's a sexy thing and at I don't think sexy and age 12 should be in the same sentence. I'm sure you have a wonderful daughter and I'm not questioning your parenting skills at all. Hope things go well.

 

[poohandwendy]

She does wear low rider jeans but I think that is all they sell these days. However, her button is never exposed because i won't let her wear tops that show her tummy.

Then what is the point?

 

[antmaril]

Since you asked our opinion, I have to say NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!!

I would never allow it. I don't like the message it sends and my feeling is that at 12 years old, I am the boss and it would NEVER happen.

My son is 18 and he didn't have any interest in piercings or tatoos. It's a good thing, because he would have had a battle on his hands.

Just my opinion, of course. As the others have said - your child, your decision.

 

[Hockeychic]

Actually just re-read my post and I missed a sentence apparently...ooppsss

She has not actually gotten it done yet, I have agreed to let her get it done, we went with a friend of hers who is 3 months older when she got hers done just to see the place.

They will do piercings with parental consent.

One of the reasons I have agreed now when in the past I have said no is because of hockey, season is over for now and doesn't start up again until late Sept early October, I have explained to her coach that she will not partipate in any summer skates if she gets this done because of risk of it catching on her hockey pants. Once the season starts I was going to put gause type pads over it.

Thank you all for your opinions.

 

[Kermit]

I wouldn't let my child do it. I also believe in picking my battles, but my kids will know that that's not something worth trying to start a battle about. We dress very conservatively, and I just don't see the point.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't have a daughter so that is one particular battle I've never had to fight, but no I don't see myself letting a 12year old girl do that.

Now my 14year old Freshman son wanted an ear pierced this year. I told him yes as long as he agreed to limit it to one hole for his entire High School career, and agreed that I got final say over whether or not the earrings were acceptable.

He didn't like the terms and the earlobes are still virgin.

 

[helenabear]

Then what is the point?

HOneslty I have one and I never show it off... I did it for me, and I love seeing it all the time.

However, that said... NO WAY!!!!!!! First of all, there is WAY too much responsibility going into the care of one of these! I have had my ears pierced and this is NOTHING like that at all! Second of all, I agree that it is an "adult" thing to do. Maybe a 16 year old, but a girl who has barely hit the age of physical maturity (let alone emotional/mental) no way!!!!!!!