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  • When to Let Your Kids Get Their Ears Pierced: A Parent’s Guide to Avoiding Tears, Tantrums & Teen Trauma

    March 27, 2025 2 min read

    When to Let Your Kids Get Their Ears Pierced: A Parent’s Guide to Avoiding Tears, Tantrums & Teen Trauma - The Nappy Shop

     

    Getting your ears pierced is a milestone right up there with the first haircut, the first day of school, and the first time your child tells you you’re “ruining their life.” If you’ve got a kid nagging you for a pair of sparkly studs, you’re probably wondering: When is the right time? Well, let’s break it down.

    How it Starts

    Usually, innocently enough. Your little darling sees a friend with earrings, or maybe they spot a pair of glittery unicorn studs at the shops. Suddenly, they’re pleading their case like a tiny, well-dressed lawyer.

    Common arguments offered by kids at this point:

     “EVERYONE in my class has them!” (I doubt that).

    “I’ll actually DIE if I don’t get them!” (No, you won’t).

    “I’ll pay for them with my pocket money!” (Sure, with that impressive $4.80 you’ve been hoarding?).

    The Big Decision: How Young is Too Young?

    There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some parents get their babies' ears pierced early (controversial), while others make their kids wait until their teens. Here are the most common approaches:

    Baby Bling 

    Some parents pierce their baby’s ears while they’re still in nappies. The pros? No memory of the event, minimal fuss, and cute photos. The cons? Those little grabby hands might yank them out.

    The Primary School Plea (Ages 5–10)

    This is when the requests start rolling in. Kids this age understand a little bit about hygiene, but let’s be real – they are mucky little beggars who may not be ready for daily earring care.

    The Tween-Approved Choice (Ages 10–13)

    At this stage, they’re responsible enough to clean their ears properly (hopefully), and they still trust you enough to listen to your advice. The downside? Their friendship group will 100% influence earring choices, so get ready for a collection of mismatched studs and dangly earrings shaped like boba tea.


    The Teenage Rite of Passage (14+)

    Some parents hold off until the teen years when the responsibility is entirely theirs. The benefit? If they get an infection, they can’t blame you (though let’s be real, they still will).

    Pro Parent Tips:

    Go to a professional – No piercing guns at dodgy chemists, please. Find a reputable piercing studio with actual trained professionals.

    Teach them aftercare – Swabbing ears daily with saline is crucial. Maybe set a phone reminder, because let’s face it, kids forget to feed the dog.

    Pick the right time – Not before swimming lessons, a beach holiday, or an upcoming school photo. Nobody wants to immortalise swollen lobes in the yearbook.

    Start small – Hypoallergenic studs are best. They don’t need hoops big enough to double as hula hoops.

    Ultimately, you know your kid best. If they can handle minor pain, take care of their hygiene, and understand that this isn’t a temporary tattoo situation, go for it! But if they’re prone to losing their school hat every single day, maybe hold off until they’re a bit older.