MOMania

By fk

September 20, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this

I was in the 7th grade before I was allowed to get my ears pierced. It was a big deal. My older sisters had to wait until they were sixteen. I don’t know how my parents came up with that rule. My mother (daughter of Italian immigrants) got her ears pierced along with my sister. She was probably about 43 or so. When I was in high school, I walked to the mall in order to have the second holes shot into my ears. Yup, just what I needed, another two holes in my head. My mother just could not understand why I wanted them. At 44, I’m still misplacing my earrings, sooooo, my opinion is that one should be enough to care for the earrings and hygiene of the newly punched holes, regardless of age.

Oh, my niece, a college student, wound up with a recurring gland infection that did not go away until she permanently removed the earring in her tongue…yuk. The good thing about piercing is that it is not permanent.

By phr

September 20, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this

My sister in law will not let my niece get her ears pierced until she is sixteen. I personally wasn’t allowed to do it until I was 12. I can’t understand what the big deal is. As long a child can clean their ears every night or whatever the process is now, I think they should be able to have their ears pierced.

I do have a bunch of friends that have had their baby’s ears pierced. I personally wouldn’t do it then, but I don’t think it is wrong.

Just my 2 cents!

By JJ

September 20, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

My daughter has had her ears pierced twice and the cartiledge (upper ear) on both ears pierced also. She currently only wears earrings in the first holes, occassionally in the second hole, and no longer in the cartiledge. She can pierce her ears as many times as she wants, but that’s where I draw the line. There will be NO facial or other body piercings on my watch…..

Now when she turns 21 and has moved out of my house, she can do whatever she wants…….but under my roof, only ears get pierced.

I have two piercings in both ears, but I very very rarely wear the second earring. Maybe if I’m feeling frisky and have my hair up, I will put a diamond stud in the second hole……I used to love to wear a stud in the first hole, and a hoop in the second……

By FCm

September 20, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

I let my eldest get hers just before she turned 7….she had shown maturity and responsiblity…you do have to keep the ears clean so they do not get infected. Plus she asked for them….She has announced she wants a navel ring when she gets to be a teenager….Hopefully that will pass before she becomes one!

My ex and I agreed not to do it when she was an infant. We have no right to mandidate she have pierced ears, they are her ears so when she asked we set up a reasonable time frame.

By mom of 2

September 20, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

My 2 and a half year old get her ears pierced after she was potty trained. If my husband had his way it would have been at 8 weeks.

My other daughter has a deformed ear, so she won’t be able to get them pierced until it is corrected.
I grew up where it was OK to have ears pierced for girls. I do not see the big deal in it.

By no baby piercings

September 20, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

I agree that baby piercing is a bad idea and a hazard (toodlers will choke on almost anything). My mom let me pierce my ears at about seven and I turned out OK. I decided to wait until my daughter asked me to have her ears pierced, which happened at age 9. For her birthday, I took her to a local pharmacy that has a reputation for its hygenic piercing practices. She’s 17 now and has never had a problem. As far as body piercings (or tattoos for that matter) they will not happen while I am still supporting her (and that goes for college too.)

By Pen

September 20, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

My mother wouldn’t let me get mine pierced until I was 10 and that seemed such a long time to me. I told my daughter that anytime she wanted after she was at least 8 years old. She is 9 and a half now and is too afraid to get the piercing. I worked at a Claire’s Boutique after high school. I pierced a lot of infants and young girls as well. I observed many women and young girls with holes in the wrong place because they were pierced as infants.
I also agree that we as parents shouldn’t make that decision for them. They need to be old enough to understand the choice and mature enough to care for their ears after piercing. I have seen many, many nasty infections from lack of proper care.
My advise is to buy the ear care solution. It’s worth the money (and I am a notorious penny pincher). It doesn’t sting or dry out the skin like alcohol does. The stinging will deter them from caring for their piercing properly.

By Becky

September 20, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

I wasn’t allowed to have mine pierced until I was sixteen. My mother never had her’s pierced..All five of my sisters have their ears pierced & only one wears earrings. I guess it just depends on each Mom & Dad..

By madisons mom

September 20, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

My husband and I have talked about this - we have a 2 1/2 year old daughter - and we have decided that 10 is the age she has to be before she can get her ears pierced. I thought it would be something that would celebrate her turning “2 numbers”.

By Kerry

September 20, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

I personally hate seeing teeny babies with their ears pierced. What purpose does it serve? So that the parents (I know it’s not just moms) can feel like their daughter looks like a girl? It’s painfull and unnecessary for babies to get their ears pierced. I had my ears pierced when I was two years old. Apparently I wanted them done though. My mom told me that after they pierced the first one I was crying because it hurt, but I still wanted them to do the other one. I’ll let me daughter get her ears pierced when she tells me she wants it. Otherwise I don’t really see the point in pushing it on her. She’s only two, though and I rarely wear earings, so I doubt she’ll be asking me anytime soon. A friend of mine wasn’t allowed to get her ears pierced until she was 16. Her older sister took her the day she turned 16. Now she has 3 holes in her each of her ears and her nipples pierced. I think it was sort of a rebellion thing, like the parents that are so strict on their children that when the children finally go off to college they are the worst partiers. Hers was like, now that I’m old enough, I’m going to pierce whatever I want (she’s 26 now).

By Jennifer

September 20, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

My girls will get theirs pierced when they ask for it. My 5-yo has asked and I told her that it hurts a little but that I’ll take her when she’s ready. I think little girls with pierced ears look so cute, but I remember the pain of piercing and I don’t think it’s my decision to put holes in their ears. Of course as their mother the final decision comes down to me but I’m not going to push them before they are ready.

By Cyndi

September 20, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

I cannot stand tongue or facial piercings. I cannot understand why anyone would want to pierce their lips, nose, eyebrows, chins etc……

It totally grosses me out to be in a restaurant and have some young girl with a tongue ring taking my order. There is only ONE reason to have a tongue ring. I have refused to be waited on by a tongue pierced person. It makes me want to puke.

By jj

September 20, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

As I get older (and older), I have come to realize that the human body has enough holes in it already. And the ones I have give me enough problems. If those putting more holes in their bodies only knew.

By JJ (The original)

September 20, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

When my daughter got her ears pierced the first time, they did both at the same time. She let out a scream, that caused every person in Gwinnett Mall to stop dead in their tracks. She was 7 at the time. You would have thought someone was killing her……

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

Both of our daughters did it. The oldest decided that she just didn’t like the earrings so she let them grow back. We explained that it was her choice, but if she decided she wanted them again that she would use her own money. Our youngest daughter wanted them as a b-day when she was 4. We said ok. After 6 weeks she was given a nice pair of 14k gold studs that she adored. However,one was ripped out in a freak hammock accident….shut up, it happens…and she was very apprehensive about getting them done again. Understandably so. To this day she refuses to get into a hammock.

As far as body piercings go….I’m gonna have to go with no on that one. When they leave our home and are on their own, they can do as they see fit. I’d rather they spend money on a classy, secretly located tatoo than on a nipple/nose/naval/or “special place” piercing. And by “rather”….I of course mean, if they do it I will take away all privledges and make them wear pj’s to school for a month.

By Jennifer

September 20, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

The tongue thing is disgusting. I can’t see why anyone would want to make themselves sound like they have a mouth full of marbles. Even worse are the big circle things used to stretch out ear lobes. You see these young guys with holes in their ears the size of quarters and it looks so stupid.

By workingmom

September 20, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

I had my ears first pierced at age 5. I now have 4 holes in one ear (1 cartiledge)and 2 in the other (1 tragus) with the last piercing a Mother’s Day gift at age 41. My daughter is age 7 and does not want her ears pierced. When she wants them, I’ll probably make it an occasion (nearest birthday or Christmas.) Piercing are no big deal, as long as you get them done in a sterile environment and take care of them. They can be easily removed (unlike tats.) I would not do it to a baby though. I agree it should be her (or his) choice when she is older and can take responsibility for them.

By abc

September 20, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

“classy” and “tattoo” are mutually exclusive terms IMHO.

By Jenny

September 20, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

My mom had my ears pierced when I was a month old and I’m glad she did. When I was a teenager, I had my ears pierced a few more times, but at 25, I only wear earrings in my first hole. She said I could pierce my ears as many times as I wanted, as long as I didn’t pierce my face and as a result, I never felt the need to rebel and pierce the rest of my body. And she always reminded me and herself that piercings leave little scars, but tattoos are permanent and one day I will be in a wedding dress. That worked as well.

By CJP

September 20, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

This brings back memories!! My sister & I begged our mom to let us get our ears pierced on a daily basis. She said we had to wait until we were 12 (mom did not have her ears pierced because she is petrified of any type of needle!). When my sister & I were 8 & 10 we spent an afternoon shopping with our maternal grandmother who bought us each several pairs of pierced earrings. She helped us beg our mom to get our ears pierced (I love my nanny!!). My mom gave in and took us to Kmart to get pierced. She decided she was going to get hers pierced as well. My sister jumped in the chair & got her ears pierced without blinking. I got scared so my mom went before me. The piercing gun jammed and the earring only went half way in my mom’s ear before it bent, broke & went flying across the store. My mom about fainted & I changed my mind. I didn’t ask again until I was 14!!

On topic, my sister & I agreed that we would take our daughters to get their ears pierced when they were 5 (our daughter’s are 6 months apart in age) because they were already asking & telling us how well they would take care of them. When my niece was 4 she came over & showed me her pierced ears- my sister had given in a few months early. I still made my daughter wait until she was 5. They pierced the 1st ear & she didn’t want to get the second one done. It took a while but we talked her into it. She is now 7, takes great care of her ears & earrings so it’s never been an issue. I only to allow her to wear studs and the occasional small loops, nothing dangly.

By Stacey

September 20, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

I got my ears pierced at 12. The rule was 14 but on my sister’s 14th birthday, my older sisters convinced my mother to go ahead and have mine done at the same time. My holes never healed properly and over a year after they were pierced, I went a couple of days without earrings and my holes closed. Because keliods run in my family, I didn’t try to force them open again and never tried to get new piercings. We also weren’t allowed to wear nail polish until 12 and no “other” make up until 16. Though I couldn’t wait to wear it back then, now I don’t wear makeup at all (not even on special occasions) and the only jewelry I wear is my wedding ring (just personal preference).

I don’t have a daughter but husband and I agree that our son can get his ear pierced some time after we are dead. My son “knows” that earrings are for girls but he has asked grow his hair out and get braids (his uncle and male cousin have them). That’s another “over my dead body” scenario.

By Jess

September 20, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

I was twelve when I got my ears pierced. My mom always said I had to wait until I was 13 but she caved at 12.

When I was around 14 or so she let me get a second hole and I loved it. One side has sense grown back though, so I don’t wear earrings in the second hole anymore.

At 16 I was dying for a belly piercing. My mom said, no, no, no every time I asked. She finally allowed me to get a belly piercing when we were at the beach…3 weeks prior to my 17th birthday. If she had not consented I would have probably found a way to do it behind her back. I think she knew that and that’s whay she allowed it. I am now 25 and have not recieved any other piercings. I think it all just depends on the child because my 2 younger sisters, ages 20 and 16, have nothing but 1 hole in their ears. They never asked for anything else even though Mom would have probably allowed it.

And to this day, 8 years later, I am still sporting the belly ring and love it as much as the day I got it!

By Cyndi

September 20, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

I’ve never cared for tatoos until recently. I will be hitting the big 5-0 in a few years, and I really want a tatoo of an angel on my shoulder. I figure if I have made it to 50 and still healthy, I’ve done somthing right, so I can get a tat…..

By Stacey

September 20, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

My sisters had their daughters’ ears pierced at 2 months. I witnessed a couple of them and the babies barely flinched. The didn’t seem to notice the earrings and never bothered them when they were babies (though they would try to pull earring & glasses of anyone holding them). None of them had complications from having them done as infants. As far I can remember, they only wore studs in their ears until they around 10.

By Becky

September 20, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Like a lot have said, I don’t like any other body piercings..My neice at one time had her nose, belly, nipples & “other” parts..Just plain nasty to me..As for a tattoos go, some are very nice, it’s just that they don’t wash off..I have a nephew that tat’s for a living & even he can’t talk me into getting one..So Cyndi, happy birthday & good luck with your tat…

By anne

September 20, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

In some cultures piercing and tattoos or tribal markings show a rite of passage or membership in a certain group.

I suppose it’s no different in America - in this country there is nothing that brands one as either low class or desperately trying to prove their “uniqueness” as a tattoo or body piercing, especially if you’re over 35.

By sunshine

September 20, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

My Mom got my ears pierced when I was 3 months old baby and I’m glad she did. I don’t remember the pain and she took care of all the other issues. It wasn’t a chocking hazard at that age and as a toddler I only wore earing on special occasions and under close supervision.

I had to wait until I was 16 to get a second hole, which I did, But i hardly ever use the second hole.

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

@abc….thats why I included “secretly located”. And properly placed tatoos can be nice. I have 3 small Hebrew characters on the small of my back symbolizing the days of the week that our children were born. My husband and children are the only ones who get to see them.

By Atlanta Pearl Girl

September 20, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

For girls? I did my daughter’s when she was small…she ended up pulling them out twice!!!!

I waited again until she was 9 when SHE wanted to have it done. Each culture is different of course.

My son??? NEVER!!!!!!!

Atlanta Pearl Girl

By GAFather

September 20, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

I think “Pen” said it best:

“They need to be old enough to understand the choice and mature enough to care for their ears after piercing.”

By O-Gee

September 20, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

i pierced my scrotum this morning. the timing could not have been better. love, o.g.

By abc

September 20, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Body piercings, including ear piercings (although they seem ubiquitous among women) aren’t decorative, they’re mutilation. To allow children to do it is irresponsible. To do that to babies should be criminal. Perhaps some parents would like to get a nice tattoo on themselves of their baby with pierced ears? Sheesh.

By Allyson

September 20, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

As I sit here reading all these comments, it amazes me that some of you allow your kids to make their own decisions about piercings at young as 5 years old. Do you really think a 5 year old is responsible to make that kind of decision? 5? Do you realize how unresponsible they are until they hit their 20’s, and even then its questionable.

I thought parents were the controllers and made these types of decisions for their CHILDREN. Apparently, this is what is wrong with our youth. Parents are sissies and allow their kids to make adult decisions at the tender age of 5.

By Jennifer

September 20, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

I do think a 5-year old is old enough to make the decision to get their ears pierced. I have a five year old and I let her make the decision not to get her ears pierced at this time. Do you have kids, Allyson, because a 5-year old can tell you if they are ready to pierce their ears or not. They do understand pain which is about all they are responsible for handling in the process! I wouldn’t let her pierce her ears and then throw her to the wolves as far as upkeep is concerned. If she decides she wants her ears pierced and as long as I am not opposed to that decision, then she’s getting her ears pierced. I’ll take care of them for her.

It’s piercing ears, not getting freaking breast implants!

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

Obviously Allyson…the vast majority of parents who allow their children to get their ears pierced are taking the resposibility for the upkeep on themselves. No, I would not have counted on my 4 year old to be responsible enough to clean and care for her newly pierced ears….as her mother, that was my job. Under your logic, we should all get in the bath with our children until they are well into their teens just to make sure they are cleaning themselves properly. Ya know….cause’ they don’t develope personal responsibility until they are 20ish or so.

By itsokay

September 20, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

I was born with holes in the top of my ears and when I was smaller about 2 years old - I got my ears pierced. Then when I was about 15 or 16 I got a 2nd hole. I haven’t had any problems. I think and this is just my opinion - that when babies get their ears pierced - it shows which is a girl and which is a boy - cause sometimes it hard to tell. My nephew is 10 and he keeps asking his mother for a earring and she tells him no way - she always tells him to way until you turn 16 and then you can do what you want with your ears. Mind you he is always telling my eight year to get a hole….and I tell him no too….He said that his uncle has a hole and why can’t he…

By fro

September 20, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Yes I think a 5 year old is old enough to decide if she wants her ears pierced. I think a 5 year old is old enough to make certain other decisions themselves as well. How else will they learn the consequences of the decisions they make?

If I make my son wait until he is in his 20’s to start making his own decisions, he is going to be up sh*t creek as an adult on his own.

By Becky

September 20, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

My husband and I decided when our daughter was born that she could get her ears pierced when she turns 13 (by then she’ll hopefully be a responsible teenager). There is no way I would have gotten her ears pierced when she was a baby, as one of her habits (when she was sleepy) was to play with her ears!! She’s never really even shown an interest at this point of getting her ears pierced and she’ll be 7 next month.

By Becky

September 20, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Allyson, very nice name, I have a neice with the same name(& spelling)..My grandaughter is five & I allow her to make a lot of choices..Her ears are pierced, yet she chooses not to wear earrings..She also gets to pick her own clothing..I do think that at five, they can be trusted to pick certain things..

By call me old fashioned

September 20, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Decisions to mutilate one’s body with piercings and tattoos should be made when the person is of age and supporting themselves. They may thank you for it later for having the good sense to say no. If you cave in to everything you will be broke and crazy.

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

I really don’t think the average parent considers piercing a girl’s ears mutilation. Mutilation is a very strong word. Brings to mind some of the atrocities many African girls endure. You may not agree with it and therefore not allow your child to do it or choose it. But no….it is most definitely NOT mutilation.

By oh the queen has spoken

September 20, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Multiple piercing on ears, belly buttons, tongues and elsewhere is mutilation, BUT, my point was that they may be glad they didn’t later. So everybody attack me now, because she did

By Allyson

September 20, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

OK, so if a 5 year old is responsible to make her own decisions with regard to pierced ears, why, oh why, are you taking responsibility for the care and upkeep??????? Thought that was part of the “responsibility” shown by a 5 year old…….

Yes I do have kids, and I know first hand that a 5 year old is NOT capable of making an adult decision. You people are letting your kids control you. You are the parents, and it’s ok to say NO.

Imagine what your life will be like 10 years down the road when you are allowing a 5 year to rule the roost.

By Sarah

September 20, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I think any form of jewelry on a child is an ostentatious display of a serious lack of class. Earrings on an infant scream….” Look at me, I just got to this country and now I make six dollars an hour!” Get the little girls a tramp stamp tattoo on their lower backs too, go for the whole enchilada why don’t you.

By Jean

September 20, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Perhaps it may not be mutilation, but it looks trashy and low class to see a baby with earrings. Ghetto-trailor is a good word for it.

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

I am only referring to EAR piercing. That is certainly not mutilation. Again…I think someone who has truly been mutilated would take extreme exception with the casual use of that word. I would not allow my child to get other body parts pierced….simply for the social implications it can bring about. Its jewlery people….its gonna be ok.

By Jennifer

September 20, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Allyson, do you let your kids ride bikes? If one falls off and breaks an arm/leg or needs stitches, are they on their own to take care of it since they made the decision to ride the bike?

Piercing ears is not letting kids control you as a parent. Does it teach personal responsibility or any life lessons? Um, NO! It’s cosmetic. It allows a kid to wear earrings, not to rule a house. I didn’t become a tyrant when my mother decided to let me get my ears pierced. That didn’t begin until she let me choose my own clothing. There’s your real danger to losing parental authority.

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Allyson…maybe your kids aren’t responsible enough. Others are. Its not that big of a deal. The point is some of us don’t mind a little trial and error with our kids. They learn from it. Our oldest did it, left them in for the requisite 6 weeks and discovered she didn’t like them. She learnd something….from personal experience, not because it was dictated. Our youngest did it, loved them and may decide to do it agin one day. That will be her decision. Its not right or wrong….its different styles of parenting.

By damian

September 20, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

I’m a 36 year old guy that has two holes in his left ear—often I forget the surgical steel hoops are even there. I’ve had my ear pierced since 10th grade—mom and dad were having a little spat, perhaps out of spite one of my folks (won’t say which one) relented and I was allowed to get my earrings. I switched to 14-gauge steel because anything less substantial broke every time I put on the motorcycle helmet. Oh, and I have a pretty good job, too. I work in a very corprate-type office. I was here six months before my boss asked me about the hoops. I want a tattoo, too…just haven’t drawn something I want on my body permanently yet.

By the queen speaks out of both sides of her mouth

September 20, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Jessie or whatever you name is, we know you think you are the mouthpiece here because of your “entertainment status”, but you will find that is it widely believe that ANY piercing or tattoo is a form of mutilation.

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Entertainment Status? Hee-hee. You’re cute. No punkin’, the only ones I entertain are my kids. But you on the other hand provide endless nano-seconds of joy. What was your name again?

By Mia

September 20, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

I had my ears pierced when I was 7. I don’t remember bugging anyone to get them done prior to that but my Godmother took me to get them pierced. At 16, I got them pierced again. I very rarely wear earrings but when I do, I wear two pairs.

I’ve wanted a tatto since I was in my teens. I promised myself that once I turned 30, if I still felt the same, I’d get a tattoo. I now have 2 and I don’t think having bodywork changes me as a person. I’m still the same hardworking, self-supporting person I was before I got the tattoos.

The majority of people on here are very quick to judge others - be it the way they raise their families or whether they decide to get a tattoo or a body piercing or whatever you can have an opinion on. Worry more about your own life and less about what others are doing and we’ll all get along much better.

By Kat

September 20, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

My sister and I had to wait until we were 13 to get ours, which made that birthday special because by that time we’d been waiting for a long time to get them. I do think it was a little long to wait though, so I will probably let my girls get them done whenever they’d like after they turn 6 or 7. Will probably still wait till a birthday though.

By DB

September 20, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

My husband HATES ear piercing, and was adamant that his daughter would NEVER get her ears pierced. I let it lie for a while and finally got him used to the idea “at 16”. (Mine aren’t pierced, but only because I have very sensitive skin, the holes got infected very easily and I just gave up and use clips.)

Just before her 13th birthday, I suggested to my husband that we allow her to get her ears pierced for her 13th birthday. He grumbled that it was “a bizarre cultural mutilation whose only purpose was to announce a girl was ready for childbearing” but finally agreed, much to her delight. As I pointed out to my husband, “This is NOT the hill you want to die on.”

Now — given that, further piercings were out of the question. When she expressed a casual interest in a nose piercing, I pointed out that the only people I knew with nose piercings were those working a cash register at discount stores, and if that’s all she wants out of life, go for it. That pretty much killed it. She can do anything she wants to her body after she’s 18 — by then, I hope that I have taught her enough respect for herself and her body to make the idea untenable. But until she’s 18 — honey, if I’m paying the medical bills, your body is MINE.

Son: No piercings, it never came up. He would consider it an assault on his masculinity :-).

I worked in a jewelry store when I was in high school/college, and often had people bring their babies in for piercing. I poitely refused to pierce babies’ ears, because I was just completely unnerved by their screams. I could do one — but I would never be able to do the other ear! IMHO, young girls are beautiful as God made them — they don’t need metal hanging in their ears to make a fashion statement.

By Yea but

September 20, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Lately I have admired some small tatoos but refrain from getting one because the Bible does say not to put any permanent markings on the body. Not overly religious here, but some things taught when we’re little tend to hang on for life. I’m just amazed at how many so called christians flock to the tatoo parlors.

By Becky

September 20, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

I’ve never heard of having your ears pierced as mutilation..As Jesses’s Girl said, it’s trail & error..It’s not life or death..My grandaughter has been picking out her own clothes since she was about 2 1/2, but she doesn’t run the household..No, she can’t have a tattoo (even it it were legal under 18)..Kid’s need some say so in their life at a young age, so that they don’t become so rebellious later on..At least I did..

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

The Bible also calls for a hand for a hand and an eye for an eye. Having a tatoo in no way takes away from your love and obedience for God. If you want to get into where so-called Christians find themselves….honey, thats a whole different blog.

By Mom 2 J

September 20, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

My mom got my ears pierced at my 6 week check-up. The doctor did it back then. No problems. I asked for a second hole at age 10 or so. I have 3 in one ear and 4 in the other. I usually only wear one pair, although on occasion I’ll wear 2 or 3 pairs. I remember asking my cousin when she was going to get her daughter’s ears pierced shortly after she was born. She looked at me like I was an alien! “That’s her choice!” To each his/her own, I guess. If I had a daugher, she’d probably have her ears pierced as an infant.

By Alias

September 20, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

Yea but If the bible said to slit your wrists on Wednesdays, would you do it?

Do you by any chance have a mind of your own?

By Erin

September 20, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

I begged and begged to get my ears pierced for what seemed like practically forever when I was around 10-11 years old … my mom always said I’d have to wait till I was 16 or I’d have to prove I was responsible enough to keep them clean.

So one day when I was 12, she finally relented and I got my ears pierced. Too bad she chose April Fool’s Day as the right time … I really thought she was joking and said I didn’t find it funny. But she was actually serious.

Anyway, I was so excited to be able to wear fun earrings and stuff I took out the piercing earrings exactly six weeks later, which was probably a mistake. My earlobes got infected, but I kept at it with the rubbing alcohol and medicines and stuff and by the end of that summer, the problem was gone and I haven’t had a problem since.

I do wear earrings everyday and I still have just the one set of holes. No other piercings or tattoos or anything else, though I have been considering a small tattoo on my back.

I do agree that a child needs to be old enough to keep the piercings clean, but that age varies from child to child. I don’t think it’s appropriate to pierce a child’s ears before she can understand what’s going on … I’ll wait with my children (don’t have any yet) until they ask, if they ask.

By Jenny

September 20, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Goodness. In my 25 years, I have never heard anyone, while looking at my baby pictures, refer to me as “ghetto-trailor,” but thank you for clearing that up for me, Jean.

By poop on the queen

September 20, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

The use of words like “punkin” and “honey” is a vain attempt to be condescending and usually indicative of low self esteem. Other than that one might be a waffle house waitress or trailer queen.

By KoolAid House

September 20, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Thank you for that post Erin. I had my daughter’s ears pierced at age 3. She screamed so damn loud she nearly fell out of the chair. I caught her but at they age they are quick. She got loose from me and went running through the mall. I’m in hot pusuit trying to catch her. When I did we both sat on the floor against some store window while I tried to console her. Man o man. Whew!!! She just turned 13 and has asked for a 2nd hold. I took her to the mall to get the second hall. Her 6 weeks are almost up, but I’m going to insist it stays in a little longer. Thank you.

By Laura

September 20, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t allowed to until I was 13…..

By Yea but

September 20, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

LOL, funny you said that about the waitress thing. I always think of Flo from the show Alice when she throws those words out.

By KoolAid House

September 20, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

LOL…sorry about the many different ways I spelled “hole”. Goodness gracious!

By Ed

September 20, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

We held off giving permission until our daughter’s “graduation day” from elementary school. She beamed pure joy at the ceremony. We are glad we held off until that special day; it worked for our family.

By Jean

September 20, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Jenny, it was probably said behind your back.

By Anne

September 20, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

My daughter’s ears were pierced when she was a little over a year old. As she got older, she decided not to wear earrings, but got both her tongue and navel pierced. I feel that it’s up to the child’s parents as to what to do. My niece wanted to get her navel pierced when she was 16 and her mom almost had a stroke. I told her to calm down, let her do it but make sure she knew how to keep it clean…I also pointed out that piercings can grow back. I had my ears pierced when I was 12. I had 2 additional holes added in my 20’s and had the cartilage pierced then as well. When I divorced at 34, and lost a lot of weight due to the “oh my god, someone else may see me nekkid diet” I opted to get my first tattoo and my nose pierced. since then, I’ve added 3 other tattoos and even got two of them with my daughter. We plan on another one at Christmas. I work in the corporate world as does my daughter. I think most people would be surprised at the things that are under all those business suits out there!!!

By kalalu

September 20, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

i had my ears pierced when I was less than a year old. My other two sisters got them when very young too. Out of the three of us, only one did any more piercing and that was a belly button piercing. At 25, piercing is not my thing, as I prefer tattoos. :)

By Becky

September 20, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Jenny, I doubt if it was said to your back anyway..If it was, whomever said it had major issues..I know that I’ve never thought that about anyone having their babies ears pierced at a young age..And if they did, that’s usually the pot calling the kettle black..

By DB

September 20, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

But calling someone “honey” seems so much more friendly than calling them “Hey, you”.

By Jesse's Girl

September 20, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

@Poop and Yea But…… I wasn’t being condescending. Nothing so formal. I was talking down to you. You’re worth it.

By John

September 20, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

When they are in college. My son and daughter-in-law have had their newborn girl’s ears pierced and it is disgusting.

By mamaj

September 20, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

Forty three years ago, at the age of 12, my 15 year old friend rounded up all our other girlfriends(about 6 of us)and pierced our ears with a cube of ice and a needle burned on one end and threaded with plain white thread. None of us ever had any problems or infections etc, but if I had to go through that same procedure today, I would still be wearing clip-ons.

By mm

September 20, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

The younger generation needs to understand how corporate America works. Word of warning, if one plans to travel that route, a lot of HR individuals will NOT hire people with tattoos and multiple piercings. May not be fair, but it is what it is. Most corps are conservative with their policies, and they consider it to be “unprofessional”. Also, tattoos as opposed to piercings tend to move as the body ages. Be careful where you put it, 40 years from now it may be a lot further south than intended.

By Katie

September 21, 2007 6:45 AM | Link to this

Cyndi, and what reason would that be?? Please explain in your prudish type fashion.

It’s up to the parents, plain and simple.

By nurse&mother

September 21, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

I don’t have a problem with a girl having her ears pierced once. I let my daughter have hers pierced at 6. She did not care for them properly, though. We had to take one out and it grew up within 12 hours. She decided to have them pierced again at 9. So far, so good. I will not let her get any other piercings or tatoos under my roof. She will have to do this when she is 18 and off at college.

I had my own pierced when I was 4. My sister was 6 and our good friend was 8. I think that as long as the girl is requesting it, it’s ok.

That said, I do not like other piercings and tatoos. Just a personal opinion. I will admit that I do think they look a little trashy ( I don’t mean to offend anyone). I cannot think of anything permenant that I would want on my body for the rest of my life.

I’m not sure why anyone would want their tongue pierced. It has been my observation that the speech (of those that sport a tongue bar) seems very slow and slurred. I have heard of cases of sepsis (life threatening blood infection) related to a tongue piercing. I have also heard that these can cause severe periodontal disease. Yikes! I’m sure those doing the piercing never tell you about those potential side effects, huh?

By you self righteous b

September 21, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Jessie, the only way you could talk down to me would be to stand on top of your doublewide.

By Fulton County Mom

September 21, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Allyson, I do not ‘control’ all the decisions my children make…I am not raising computers, I am raising people to be adults…they do have responsiblities and choices to make. I would rather them make a few small ‘bad’ choices now then to learn them all as an adult…For example they are responsible for getting their dirty clothes to the hamper, I am responsible for cleaning clothes found in the hamper….There have been times when their least favorite clothes are the only ones clean because the others are on the floor of their room. It was their choice not to put them in the hamper…it only happened twice, now the hamper is full and the foor clear.

When you face the question ask this: What is the outcome to me (WIIFM)if the answer is nothing….let the kid try…they will learn best from their own mistakes.

Even at a young age a child needs some control! Example: You want your milk in the blue or red cup? Do you want a story or a song before lights out?

Elementary kids can learn too. Example would be the ‘sleep’ question a few weeks ago. You can require the child to be in bed, be quiet, lights out, and no toys. However if they lay staring at the wall until 11…that doesn’t hurt YOU. The next day the natural consequences (and maybe a note to let the teachers in on it) will get the child to realize that going to sleep is a good choice.

The earlier they learn the better.

They learn about choices early then when they are teens HOPEFULLY (and we all pray this) they will make the right choices then…..Do I get in the car with Billy who had a beer or do I call Mom?

You do not abdacate the over all rules or autority. You show them how to make good choices within the parameters….and expand the parameters as the child meets the current ones.

By Jesse's Girl

September 21, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

If you’re going to insult…do it properly please. To really drive your point home, try capitalizing “righteous”. Thats your emotion word, conveys more that way I think. Also, its Jess(e). No ie. Alright honey-punkin’? Have a super-duper day.

By Jesse's Girl

September 21, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

I just have to wonder why there is so much emotion over pierced ears. Especially from the 3 or so that have come out swingin’. Its jewlery. If you don’t care for the notion…then by all means, don’t do it. Save all of this passion for something that matters, like the upcoming election. Which by the way is an aweosme topic for later discussion, I think. Theresa….. for those of us with age appropriate children….will you be including them as you navigate the election? I’ve just been thinkning and talking about this with Mr Jesse.

By oky doky jessie

September 21, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Thank you for your correction. It means a lot when it comes from someone underprivileged.

By let me splain it lucy - red

September 21, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Not everyone has the same opinion. Some of us still have old fashioned values and let me tell you miss red there is nothing wrong with that. Why can’t we voice our opinion. Because you said so? Free speech is still okay that I know.

By Jesse's Girl

September 21, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Have a wonderful weekend you silly little thing you!

By LM

September 21, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

I just ready a book called Snakes and Earrings, by Kanehara Hitomi. Odd book, not one I would recommend, but it covered both body piercing and tattooing.

On a personal note, I don’t feel I have the right to determin what someone else chooses to do with their body. As for the art side of tattos, some can be quite beautiful and have personal meaning to the owner. Earring are a personal choice, jewerly can make a look complete and earrings are just jewerly. Body piercings, are also a personal choice of body decoration or sensual stimuli, it is up to each person to choose for themselves.

I am not God and so don’t feel I have the right to judge someone else for their decission, so unless your more “all knowing” than I you may have an opinion, which you feel gives you the right to judge, but not everyone lives their life according to your standards, and unless your footing their lifestyle your have no right to force your choices upon others.

By ?????

September 21, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

This is a blog, the writer asked a question and I gave my opinion. You don’t have a right to judge me and certainly not to censor my comments. You believe what you want and I will believe what I want. Force? You’re all too much like Jessie.

By Jesse's Girl

September 21, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Ok, look whoever you are…no one EVER said you have no right to your comments. You immediately attacked…along with Allyson…saying how we were mutilating our children, allowing our children to run the house willy-nilly. If anyone was trying to sink a personal opinion it was you two. All of my posts have advocated different parenting styles…no one is right or wrong here. No one is trying to strip you of your opinions. We welcome them…just bring them with some modecum of class and grace. Its you who began this with your rude, antagonistic attitude.

By Penguinmom

September 21, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

I had my ears pierced when I was 13 because my father gave me a pair of pierced earrings. Unfortunately, I am allergic to most metals so my ears turned red and itched horribly. I had problems whenever I wore earrings over the next 8 years. I finally decided to stop wearing them all together. The holes didn’t completely grow back due to the scar tissue from the allergic reaction.

I have decided to wait to get my daughter’s ears pierced until I am 100% certain she doesn’t have a metal allergy.

By what

September 24, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Are you calling yourself “no one” because you took issue with my post. I stated what I believed and you attacked it. That red dye must be affecting your head.

By Jesse's Girl

September 24, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

What are you talking about with the red references?