How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

It’s Hard to be Beautiful

in Everyday, Family on

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.

    • Comments

    1. Oh, what a cute story. You are mom of the year for doing this for them, I am sure!

      Since my mom is Hispanic I had my ears pierced without being consulted, lol, but I do remember my dad having to clean them when they got infected. Playing in the dirt is not good for little ears. So I can see the wisdom of wanting them to wait until they are a bit older.

    2. Oh, I let my (then) 8 year old have hers pierced last year (and I took pics, too!) I LOVE the look of pierced ears on baby girls, but I just don’t have the nerve to do it! I bet your girls look gorgeous!

    3. I was 2 when I got my ears pierced! Now, I just couldn’t imagine doing that to my girls!
      This post almost made me cry. My oldest (4 1/2) has not asked for earrings yet, but I think I will want the earth to swallow me up when she does. It really is one of those little things…
      Jeez, the other day she told me she didn’t like the outfit I put on her and I almost cried because it made her seem more grown up.

    4. My daughter was 8 when she got hers done. I too, made sure that she was ready to take care of them herself!! I would never get a baby’s ears done.

    5. I’ve decided to let my girls decided if they want their ears pierced. My mom didn’t do this with us. When all the girls in my family turned 6 weeks old the family tradition was to pierce them…at home with a needle. YIKES!

      Hugs and Mocha,
      Stesha

    6. I so remember doing the ice cube and a needle! The guns were much better, and faster! I totally agree with you on wanting to hold on to that innocence but also knowing when its time to let go. So hard.

      Love your redesign! It looks awesome! I grabbed your button too!

    7. My daughter is 7 and hasn’t asked for that yet….but I am sure it will be soon.
      I love that they used the “lovely thing to do together” bit. Man when kids want something they sure know what to say

    9. We’ll see how I react when my oldest requests it. Up to now, she’s pretty turned off by the thought of the pain.

      Glad your girls made it through unscathed!

    11. I was 6 when I got mine pierced. My doctor did it–one ear at a time–with a needle. It was horrible. They had to bring in extra nurses to hold me down to put the earrings in because I didn’t believe them that that wouldn’t hurt–lol. My daddy was furious because my mom did it behind his back. Seems like such a ridiculous thing to be mad about, but I think you’re probably right about the parents trying to keep their children young thing.

    12. You know to this day I do not have my ears pierced….I am still too scared to this day – I have given birth to a baby boy and I ride horses every day and I am too scared to have my ears pierced…….I am a complete woose….Your girls are braver than me!!!!!!

    14. How fun! I remember my mother taking me while I was in the first grade! One of my favorite mother/daughter memories!