Apparently I'm bonkers - a vent.

NativeFloridian · January 2013

So, for background purposes I'll start by telling you that my mom's side of the family is Puerto Rican. Typically, in our culture, you get your baby girl's ears pierced ASAP. It's just what you do.

Well, I didn't do it with either girl. My family were all like, WTF.

Now that DD1 is asking to have her ears pierced, I'm over here doing research on Florida's health statutes and asking questions about finding a tattoo parlor with a piercer who's willing to do the job. I refuse to take DD1 to the mall to have it done, and my hunch is that the pedi uses the gun too, and that's not cool with me because, well, I'm pretty passionate about body modification being done properly and this falls into that category.

Piercing guns are not "right". They can't be sanitized in an autoclave machine. They don't use a new gun for each person. In my state, these guns and the people who operate them are exempt from the statute that regulates body piercing, meaning that the "piercers" only get a couple of weeks of training before they're set loose on the public. Meaning they're not subject to the same sanitary standards and procedures, or the consequences of improper practices.

Meanwhile, professional piercers are required to meet stringent standards, including training for a year or more in sanitary practices, proper procedures, etc. It's not that I'm knocking people who've taken their kids to Claire's and had it done, but given my stance on body mods and the fact that I believe that I, as a parent, should always try to make the best choice I can for my kids, this is the path I'm choosing to take for DD1 and, eventually (probably) DD2.

But in spite of the above information, my family still keep looking at me like I'm stupid and saying, "I took so-and-so to the mall and she's fine."

OKAY. THAT'S FINE. I'm not doing it! I'm getting so much flack for this, and I'm forrealz sick of it.

Okay, that's my vent. Just had to get that out. Thanks for your time, and get yerself a cookie!

ladybugpjb · January 2013

Wow - I feel dumb, but I actually had no idea about the ear piercing at the mall. Hey, I got mine pierced at the mall and I'm okay. (just kidding!)

NativeFloridian · January 2013

ladybugpjb:
Wow - I feel dumb, but I actually had no idea about the ear piercing at the mall. Hey, I got mine pierced at the mall and I'm okay. (just kidding!)

LOL

JaysonandKristin · January 2013

I know I've been pierced in both a tattoo shop and at Claire's.

As an adult, I'm OK with using Claire's for anything ears, and I'd insist on a tattoo parlor for anything else. FWIW, I've used a gun to pierce my own ear. That oughta help you feel MUCH better about your stance on training and sanitization.

My mom has given us grief for everything from having boys, to not circumcising them, to their names. My MIL gives us grief for anything related to our very conservative medical philosophy. I know you know you're not alone in getting heat for something that seems to be such a no-brainer to you. Not only that, I'm sure you're no stranger to getting heat for something that is nobody else's d@mn business.

NotSharknado · January 2013

Dh's family gave me a WTF also for not piercing dd's ears. Meh, whatever. I did hear about the sanitizing thing and when the time comes I do plan on going to a tatto parlor instead of the mall.

ladybugpjb · January 2013

NativeFloridian:
ladybugpjb:
Wow - I feel dumb, but I actually had no idea about the ear piercing at the mall. Hey, I got mine pierced at the mall and I'm okay. (just kidding!)

LOL

Haha!

I was just glad that my dad let me get them pierced at age 10 instead of age 28.

NativeFloridian · January 2013

JaysonandKristin:
FWIW, I've used a gun to pierce my own ear. That oughta help you feel MUCH better about your stance on training and sanitization.

a;lsdkfjas;ldfkjas;dlfkja

JaysonandKristin:
My mom has given us grief for everything from having boys, to not circumcising them, to their names. My MIL gives us grief for anything related to our very conservative medical philosophy. I know you know you're not alone in getting heat for something that seems to be such a no-brainer to you. Not only that, I'm sure you're no stranger to getting heat for something that is nobody else's d@mn business.

*big nod*

Normally I let dramz roll off my back, but my family always seem so legitimately SHOCKED with every new body modification-related decision I make in spite of my having made quite a few. It's a bit exasperating.

JaysonandKristin · January 2013

NativeFloridian:
JaysonandKristin:
FWIW, I've used a gun to pierce my own ear. That oughta help you feel MUCH better about your stance on training and sanitization.
a;lsdkfjas;ldfkjas;dlfkja

My friend had a piercing gun and I'd be dying to have my cartilage pierced. Opportunity presented itself, so I went for it. I did it at my work with my co-worker. Kicker for this story? I was working in a dental office with an autoclave.

MrsCase1 · January 2013

No piercing opinions just wanted to represent as another Puerto Rican up in the hizzouse!

Rachey1082 · January 2013

I don't want to sound lazy, but if we have a daughter, she can get her ears pierced when she's old enough to take care of the piercing and not lose earrings all the time. That's what my parents did. We were allowed to get them pierced when we turned 10, but my mom didn't remind us to put alcohol on then or turn them. My sisters closed up shortly there after.

I agree with going to the piercing and tattoo shop too.