For weeks now both my 7 year old and 10 year old daughters have been working on me. They really really wanted their ears pierced.
I have heard every argument under the sun.
All their friends have theirs done.
We are so much older now.
We will be completely responsible.
It would be such a lovely thing to do together. (that was a good one)
The thing is I didn’t need them to convince me. I have no problem with pierced ears, I just wanted them to be ready. Old enough to take care of their ears themselves, and responsible enough that they would not lose their earrings as often as they lose their socks!
I did my research, found a place that specializes in piercing infants and children’s ears, and picked a wonderful woman with 15 years of ear piercing experience. Have I ever mentioned that I am a planner and a worrier?
Yesterday after school was the big surprise.
“Daddy is coming home early from work. If you still want to, we can go get your ears done tonight!”
They were all kinds of excited.
I got out the camera and took pictures of those virgin ears. Kissed those baby ear lobes good bye and away we went.
Oldest first into the chair. BlueEyes did fine until the marker went onto her ear lobe. Fear set in. Face went pale. Tears were visible…they threatened to flow out of those big innocent eyes. I assured her it would only hurt for a minute, but she could still back out. NOPE. She was determined.
The wonderful ear piercers lined up (Oh TWO of them…they could do both ears at the same time…THANK YOU) and KA THUNK.
OH she loudly proclaimed. “It hurts” Yep tears and drama. That’s my girl. Apparently the noise of that stupid ear “gun” had startled her more then anything. Good lord I had my ears done like 30 years ago…I had forgotten about the noise! Geez… Half of my friends used an ice cube and a safety pin!
She only cried for a minute, but it was enough to set of 7 year old SweetGirl who was waiting and watching from a safe distance in the hall.
Her story. Much the same, but with more…I don’t think I can do it…I don’t think I can do its. And a lot more.. Oh she is so cute, you will be fine sweeties from the small supportive crowd that was gathering. Why do adults all crowd around to watch such an event?
I did take pictures…I’m strange like that, but I really don’t think you want to see them.
They both recovered from their ear piercing trauma in a matter of moments.
It might take me a little bit longer.
I wasn’t allowed to get my ears pierced until I was in Grade 8. My Father always said….”If God wanted you to have holes in your ears you would have been born with them.” I believe now that making me wait, that rule, that line, was more for my parents. I think it was an excuse. A way to keep me younger, more innocent, to force me to slow down.
As I look at my babies now I swear to you they both look years older.
This morning they bounded out of bed like spring time bunnies. Requested hair up and ran to the car for their ride to school. Anxious to show off the new look.
We both learned hard lessons yesterday. They learned that it is sometimes hard work to be beautiful, and I learned you can’t slow them down, so you might as well enjoy the ride.
My daughter had her ears pierced at 5, when the neighbors daughter got hers done, and Sarah wanted them too. I asked her if she was sure, told her it might hurt a little at first… she was sure, so I said yes. Her friend held her hand and that helped, Sarah only shed one lonely tear.
They grow up so fast! I guess it’s a cliché for a reason
my daughter was 7, old enough to look after them and be sensible but young enough for them to heal up quickly. School is the biggest pain, they had to be taped for the first 6 weeks then they have to take them out for PE and if they want to go on the apparatus at lunch time. I reckon having them done as babies has advantages. Not sure I could do it though.
Its hard watching them grow up so quickly isn’t it x
hahaha.
my daughter got hers done at 5, as a woohoo let’s start kindergarten kind of thing.
Ok, I’m excited for you… I haven’t pierced my girls yet… they are almost 7 and 9…
But I can’t wait to be there and hold their hand when we do.
I had to wait until I was twelve and my four year old wants nothing to do with it. She’s not into any type of pain. lol
LMAO – “If God wanted you to have holes in your ears you would have been born with them.” Such a Dad thing to say!
Getting ears pierced is a right of passage in this house. 2nd grade….lol. But, that’s when I got mine. So my oldest has hers and my youngest will get hers in the fall.
Great post! Love the story. I bet your daughters are darling.
We had my lil girl’s ears pierced when was something like 6 months old. She has no memory of it. lol
Aww! So sweet that they both got their ears pieced together. But seriously – emotional time for mama, no? They go grow up so fast!
This is a great post. I had mine done with a needle and ice when I was about 8. I had my girls done when they were little and have had no regrets. Yes, they do grow quickly, so you have to run to keep up AND of course, enjoy the ride.
Love this story!:) Oh!!!how I will miss out on the joy of getting my child’s ears pierced!:(
Maybe my boys will want to join a punk rock group later on in life! LOL. Just what we need! A vibrating bed!
I love letting my boys do things that my parents would not allow us to do!!!
… then I love telling my parents what we have done
To see her face, she never comments. LOL
Just kiss my ass granny!!!!
i bet they were so cute! and i waited a while top pierce mine… i may have been 10 or 11… mo mother wouldnt do it till i said i wanted to!
I think I had my ears pierced only when I was already in university. My parents used pretty much the same line as yours, LOL!
With my girl, well… we’ll see. She’s only 2 now, but she loves it when I wear earrings and she would gently touch them whenever I carry her.
This is why I had my daughter’s pierced at 4 months! My mom made us wait until we were 14, so she was very disappointed to see my baby’s ears pierced, but she got over it
Congrats to your girls ~ that is so exciting!!
They grow up sooo fast. Regardless of us wanting them too, or not.
I was young when I got my ears pierced (maybe only 3). I am grateful I have only boys. I don’t know that I would be as liberal with my own kids.