Would you paint your little boy's nails?

tarebear9891 · August 2012

L looked at my toenails today and said "those are beautiful. I wish I could have that. Thats for girls only." I was shocked and asked him who told him that (he has been saying that about a lot of things lately) and he said it was DHs sister. I told him that wasn't true and we could paint his nails if he wanted. He got so excited and ran to pick out a color. DH is a little weirded out, so I was curious if I was the odd one. I think gender roles are stupid. I painted his toenails and he is the happiest kid ever.

So would you? Why or why not?

stdldb29 · August 2012

No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

jess60 · August 2012

DS asked me to paint his fingernails the other day after ooh-ing & aah-ing at my painted nails (which I hardly ever paint). I thought about it but ultimately told him no. Not because I think it's a girl thing but because I don't think he would sit still long enough for it to dry. Most likely he would touch it as soon as I was done & I didn't want blue fingernail polish smeared on the furniture or carpet.

ByeBabyBunting · August 2012

I would paint them if he wants them painted - and I think it's cute BTW!

ppants · August 2012

I did paint DS's nails when he asked me to around 3 1/2. I told him that boys don't usually paint their nails, but we can do it. He came home from DC sad that his teacher called him a girl. I spoke to teacher the next day and she said the kids called him a girl, not her. I told her that DH and I are fine with him wanting his toenails painted and he shouldn't be teased for it. He didn't want them painted again until this summer. I took both DS and DD to get a pedi. He loved it and got his toenails painted, and I remind him that it's typically a thing girls do and the summer camp kids may see it at the pool. No issues this time though.

theseaword · August 2012

If he wanted me to, I would.

LovesMM · August 2012

If it makes him happy, paint his toes. It's not like it's going to give him the geigh

ammare · August 2012

I painted my son't toenails the other day. I was doing mine and he asked. It only lasted a few minutes and he wanted to take it off. MH did make a comment about it though (which kind of bugged me). I don't see anything wrong with it.

Ms5586 · August 2012

Why not? My sister painted my nephew's toes once because he insisted. If he came home and said someone was teasing him and wanted it off, then I'd take it off.

My 3 year old nephew typically has a toe or a fingernail painted because he sees mommy doing it. I see no harm in it.

ETA: wording

bearfootz · August 2012

DD wants her nails painted quite frequently. When DS wants his I use the special 'boy' polish (clear) and he's happy with that. If he actually wanted pink, then I'd do it.

IrishEyes0530 · August 2012

If anything, I would do clear. But, I don't know, I'd have to wait until the day comes when he would ask.

14kgirl · August 2012

I would, no problem.

pookie2005 · August 2012

If I had a son, yes I would if he wanted me to. Probably wouldn't let him wear it to school...but that's just a rule of mine. I don't let dd wear hers to school either. It's only for dress-up and playtime at home.

I agree with you about gender roles. If I said no about a boy wearing nail polish, then should I not allow dd to wear the Spiderman shirt she likes, or tell her she can't play with her Hot Wheels cars? I just think kids should be left to decide what they like for themselves.

ATMmom324 · August 2012

I would. I would probably try to convince him to do blue or green or something rather then pink but I would let him do what ever he wants.

kllrbnny · August 2012

I have and I would. He never asked me to more than twice and he was in the "I wanna do everything mommy does" phase.

madamsmurfette · August 2012

If I had a DS and he asked, I would, Although, if I were in OP's specific situation and DS came to me with the idea that it is something only girls do, I would explain to him that, yet, it is typically something only girls do and some people may not understand a boy wanting his nails painted, but if he really wanted it, I would do it.

I would want my child to be happy, but to also understand that other kids may give him the side-eye or even make fun of him.

mom2pottamus · August 2012

Sure. It honestly just doesn't matter to me.

citychicks · August 2012

Both my boys have their toes painted, they usually like blue, yellow or orange, but the older boy has had hot pink and purple before as well. It's a non issue as far as I'm concerned.

grr_aargh · August 2012

stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

Your world is very small. There are plenty of men who wear nail polish.

Yes. I would and have. We're a huge fan of patterned nails here. His toes are nearly almost always painted. Fingernails, I'd say about 10-30% of the time, depending on the season and the amount of down time we have.

kcisthebombdotcom · August 2012

I painted my son's nails in the past. I have no problem with it.

grr_aargh · August 2012

Johnny Depp.

Adam Lambert.

David Beckham.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2055867/Johnny-Depp-David-Beckham-wear-nail-polish-guys-sold-Evolution-Man.html

kmm2150 · August 2012

I have a twin brother, and my grandmother used to give us both "pedicures" when we stayed at her house when we were little. Our next door neighbor growing up was a little girl our age, and since the girls out-numbered the boys, my brother did lots of "girl" things, from barbies to dress-up (in dresses, heels, etc.). I would absolutely have no problem with this, and would just maybe give some words of preparation about the possibility of being teased.

lucylea · August 2012

DD and I paint our toenails a lot and her fingernails get done almost weekly. When the time comes that DS takes notice if he would like them done I will absolutely do it. DD even picked out blue polish for him the other day for when he is ready. My DH also has a bright pink toenail right now because DD wanted to know if we could do it and he said yes. It makes her happy and doesn't hurt anyone. I'll apply the same logic to DS.

ETA: I guess I never thought it was odd when a male had nail polish on. Usually its dark blue or black, but I see it on a regular basis.

katlizabeth · August 2012

YeS, but I also put clips in his hair or his hair in a ponytail. I do tell him that mostly girls do these things, but he can do it. He know this and will sometimes say "this is mostly for girls, but it's okay if I do it."

littlemac1117 · August 2012

mbenit4:
stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

No. I wouldn't.

ETA: I would not because men do not wear polish. If he chooses to when he gets older then so be it.

I don't get why this matters. If its just a thing for fun because your kid wants to have colored fingers, what difference does it make whether other males do it or not? It just seems so small-minded to me.

If my kid wants to have awesome colored fingernails and wants to spend the time with me for me to do them for him, I'm all for it. Probably when he's a little older though, because I have a feeling it would end up all over the carpet, like a PP said haha

nosoup4u · August 2012

stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

Depressing!

I would paint my sons' nails, but not my younger son's right now - he's too wiggly! Maybe if I had some quick-dry nail polish...

nosoup4u · August 2012

mbenit4:
stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

No. I wouldn't.

ETA: I would not because men do not wear polish. If he chooses to when he gets older then so be it.

Better not let your boys act like ladies!!!1111!!!!!

stdldb29 · August 2012

grr_aargh:
stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...
Your world is very small. There are plenty of men who wear nail polish.

Yes. I would and have. We're a huge fan of patterned nails here. His toes are nearly almost always painted. Fingernails, I'd say about 10-30% of the time, depending on the season and the amount of down time we have.

Hmm, I guess my world is small. Every man I know doesn't wear and has a career and works in a professional setting (so that crap wouldn't fly there). I really don't think I have ever seen a professional male wear nail polish. And I can only image what would happen to DS if I sent him to school with his nails painted...

littlemac1117 · August 2012

mbenit4:
FTR, I don't polish my daughter's nails. I don't care if other people do but I don't. I don't even have polish on my own nails so it really is a non issue in my home.

I also don't know any men outside of "celebrities" that do it. If he is older and wants it fine. Same with my daughter. She isn't allowed to wear polish on her nails at school anyway so I don't really see this being a big thing. I have given her pedicures at home that consisted of trimming, filing, buffing, and nice lotion. No polish. We spend time other ways. It really isn't an issue. It isn't like they see me polishing and ask for it and I am like NO! I don't have any polish on.

Ok, that makes me feel differently about it. The way it sounded in your previous reply was like he wasn't allowed to have it just because it didn't fit in with something men do/wear, which would be really weird to me. But if it just doesn't come up, that's different. Especially if it applies to your DD too. I also don't really know of any men IRL who wear nail polish either, other than seeing it on celebrities. That doesn't really change the fact that I would let DS have it if he asked, but still, its not as common as some people are making it seem.

stdldb29 · August 2012

mbenit4:
nosoup4u:
mbenit4:

stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

No. I wouldn't.

ETA: I would not because men do not wear polish. If he chooses to when he gets older then so be it.

Better not let your boys act like ladies!!!1111!!!!!

This is stupid. I never said anything about him acting like a lady because of polish. I don't even polish DD's nails.

And I will add that DS also plays with dolls and kitchen stuff--so the gender stuff doesn't matter to me. However, DS also will NOT be leaving the house with makeup on either---

littlemac1117 · August 2012

mbenit4:
littlemac1117:
Ok, that makes me feel differently about it. The way it sounded in your previous reply was like he wasn't allowed to have it just because it didn't fit in with something men do/wear, which would be really weird to me. But if it just doesn't come up, that's different. Especially if it applies to your DD too. I also don't really know of any men IRL who wear nail polish either, other than seeing it on celebrities. That doesn't really change the fact that I would let DS have it if he asked, but still, its not as common as some people are making it seem.

I have done clear on her before. She is not allowed to wear any polish to school. Of course, they would never see her toes. I just don't like it. I think it is too woman-ish. One of the things I am weird about. She doesn't wear shoes with heels either. She has never really brought it up so it isn't a big rule or anything. As she gets older I guess I would be fine.

FTR, I was like the only person that said high school last week when someone asked the appropriate age for makeup.

I think I missed that post. What were some other responses? I'm curious, because I would say high school is okay too.

stdldb29 · August 2012

littlemac1117:
mbenit4:
stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

No. I wouldn't.

ETA: I would not because men do not wear polish. If he chooses to when he gets older then so be it.
I don't get why this matters. If its just a thing for fun because your kid wants to have colored fingers, what difference does it make whether other males do it or not? It just seems so small-minded to me.
If my kid wants to have awesome colored fingernails and wants to spend the time with me for me to do them for him, I'm all for it. Probably when he's a little older though, because I have a feeling it would end up all over the carpet, like a PP said haha

I really do not want my kid teased at school--and this would cause it. I don't let him wear make up either---same thing.

MrsPteranodon · August 2012

Once a week I paint my toes, and once a week I let Buddy choose one finger or toe that gets to be the "star" and he gets to pick a color.

Most of the time its pointer finger that gets hot pink polish. He is the happiest dude and shows off his "Star finger" to anyone that will see it.

TobleroneBar · August 2012

DD has painted DS's nails before. He even picked out his own colors. It was the first time I ever seen him hold his little hand still...he even blew on each finger like she did.

Now keep in mind the ONLY reason why he was interested is because he loves his sister and wants to do EVERYTHING with her. He was very happy about his nails for dayz and showed everyone.

"toes! seeeee? sister" - translation: Looke at my toes, my sister painted them.

boys like dressup just as much as girls and I can't wait to play dress up with DS now that DD is too old.

littlemac1117 · August 2012

stdldb29:
littlemac1117:
mbenit4:
stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

No. I wouldn't.

ETA: I would not because men do not wear polish. If he chooses to when he gets older then so be it.
I don't get why this matters. If its just a thing for fun because your kid wants to have colored fingers, what difference does it make whether other males do it or not? It just seems so small-minded to me.
If my kid wants to have awesome colored fingernails and wants to spend the time with me for me to do them for him, I'm all for it. Probably when he's a little older though, because I have a feeling it would end up all over the carpet, like a PP said haha
I really do not want my kid teased at school--and this would cause it. I don't let him wear make up either---same thing.

I guess for me I would see it as a good opportunity to teach acceptance and the importance of being who you are even if it is different. Obviously if he came home and said he was teased I would take it off. Also, this all depends on what age something like this was to come up. I have a toddler now, so nail painting really doesn't matter at this point other than the mess it would make.

lucylea · August 2012

stdldb29:

I really do not want my kid teased at school--and this would cause it. I don't let him wear make up either---same thing.

All kids get teased at some point in their school lives. Having their nails polished as toddlers/preschoolers is just a blip on the radar screen.

To a PP who said professional men don't wear polish, the CFO of my DH's old company regularly went and got manicures. It was usually clear polish, but we went to a football game with him once and his thumb had the school mascot on it DH also works in a professional environment, although in IT, and still has no problem with a colored toenail. I'd rather see that than nasty, fungi-ridden nails of so many men.

CoffeeBeen · August 2012

stdldb29:
Hmm, I guess my world is small. Every man I know doesn't wear and has a career and works in a professional setting (so that crap wouldn't fly there). I really don't think I have ever seen a professional male wear nail polish. And I can only image what would happen to DS if I sent him to school with his nails painted...

He might express his individuality?

littlemac1117 · August 2012

mbenit4:
It was last week about the appropriate age for make up. A lot of people said 12 and 13 for light makeup and powder, etc. I was kind of shocked. I said high school. I mean their skin is sooooo pretty at that age with no blemishes and stuff why cover it? Just my opinion.

I totally agree with you. I was wearing like lipgloss at around 12 or 13, and I think that's fine, but other than that I wasn't really allowed to. I still don't really wear makeup but that's because I am lazy and I'm not very good at putting on makeup haha

littlemac1117 · August 2012

CoffeeBeen:
stdldb29:
Hmm, I guess my world is small. Every man I know doesn't wear and has a career and works in a professional setting (so that crap wouldn't fly there). I really don't think I have ever seen a professional male wear nail polish. And I can only image what would happen to DS if I sent him to school with his nails painted...
He might express his individuality?

Yes

stdldb29 · August 2012

littlemac1117:
stdldb29:
littlemac1117:
mbenit4:
stdldb29:
No. I would not. DS knows it is for girls, and I just agree with him. I don't know many guys that wear nail polish...

No. I wouldn't.

ETA: I would not because men do not wear polish. If he chooses to when he gets older then so be it.
I don't get why this matters. If its just a thing for fun because your kid wants to have colored fingers, what difference does it make whether other males do it or not? It just seems so small-minded to me.
If my kid wants to have awesome colored fingernails and wants to spend the time with me for me to do them for him, I'm all for it. Probably when he's a little older though, because I have a feeling it would end up all over the carpet, like a PP said haha
I really do not want my kid teased at school--and this would cause it. I don't let him wear make up either---same thing.
I guess for me I would see it as a good opportunity to teach acceptance and the importance of being who you are even if it is different. Obviously if he came home and said he was teased I would take it off. Also, this all depends on what age something like this was to come up. I have a toddler now, so nail painting really doesn't matter at this point other than the mess it would make.

Yeah, I'm not trying to teach my kid in his first year at school the lessons on acceptance. He is already a bit behind because he couldn't hear for the first two years of his life. I'm trying to make things as easy as possible on him. Fitting in and making friends is really important this year for him.

And I really have never seen a professional man wear nail polish....he wants to do everything just like his dad, and his daddy would never wear nail polish.

I don't care if some else wants their kid to wear it, I don't care at all. I just wont put it on my kids---but I also don't let my kids do lots of things--like wear certain clothing, eat certain things, watch tv. I'm sure all of our kids will be fine, nail polish or not!

stdldb29 · August 2012

lucylea:
stdldb29:

I really do not want my kid teased at school--and this would cause it. I don't let him wear make up either---same thing.
All kids get teased at some point in their school lives. Having their nails polished as toddlers/preschoolers is just a blip on the radar screen.
To a PP who said professional men don't wear polish, the CFO of my DH's old company regularly went and got manicures. It was usually clear polish, but we went to a football game with him once and his thumb had the school mascot on it DH also works in a professional environment, although in IT, and still has no problem with a colored toenail. I'd rather see that than nasty, fungi-ridden nails of so many men.

Hmm, I've also never have seen a professional wear open toed shoes to work either--I don't care what they have on their toes-

And I wouldn't set my kid up to get teased at school. Would you really set your kid up for that?

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