*sigh*

FWIW, I'm with you, for a couple of reasons:1. The average small child won't be able to do a good job of aftercare. I don't need to tell you about the importance of keeping a wound clean while it's healing. You know your daughter well enough to say whether she's up for the job.2. A child's body will change as she grows. Those holes that are nicely even now might wind up with one higher than the other once she's done growing–she doesn't want to look lopsided. A reputable piercer (i.e. not the untrained mallrats with guns) will recommend you wait until you're done growing before getting a permanent body modification.If she MUST do it, have it done someplace where they use one-time-use needles. The needles are used once and discarded (no risk of transferring disease or infection from a previous use) and the needles are hollow and very sharp (it hurts a hell of a lot less).Those mall places that use the guns? Run away. The guns cannot be autoclaved/sterilized, and they work by punching a solid stud into the earlobe–does a lot more trauma to the flesh, takes longer to heal, and hurts like a mofo. I had my ears done both ways (first with a gun second time with a needle) and I can tell you the needle is a LOT less painful, and my ears didn't wind up with horrible infections afterwards.

I had to be old enough to take care of my ears once they were pierced so I was older than the average bear so to speak. And after getting a re-awakening in bloodborne this last semester it will be a cold day in hell before my daughter gets hers done! Unless I can sterilize everything before hand!

Around here, little girls typically have their ears pierced as babies. Mine were pierced when I was about 6 weeks old, & I'd originally intended to do the same with my daughters. Took one round of immunizations to change my mind. No way would I hurt my baby for MY vanity.Now I have three daughters, and it's not on their radar at all. Of course, I wear earrings only rarely, so it's not something they're exposed to much.The current plan is that they are allowed to do it at menarche, but even then I will not encourage it (and as others have said, they're going to a reputable piercer). I'm just lucky my ex-husband is still enough afraid of me that he probably won't go behind my back and get it done. (Actually, I don't think he realizes he can, legally, & I'm really happy about that.)

We are so lucky in that our daughters' school doesn't allow any kind of jewellry, and any existing piercings must be removed whilst on school premises (it's a boarding school, so that means for 2 weeks at a stretch). They move on to senior school at 13, and then they are allowed to consider having their ears pierced. Eldest took me up on this, and did a good job of keeping clean and had no infections. What the other two will decide, I don't know!! At least their next school only allows small gold studs and single piercings only. I'm totally with you on multiple piercings/body piercings and tattoos!

I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears pierced. Fine and dandy. When I wanted second holes at the age of 16, they told me no. I pierced them myself. As well as three or four in my cartilage for good measure. I may not have much say in this since I am not a parent myself, but from the point of the daughter… pick your battles AD. At least I waited until I was out of the house to get my first tattoo.

In our family, we got our ears peirced for our 10th birthday. It was a special celebration that we did with my grandmother (my mom's mom) All of the girls in the family looked forward to the special event. It was a really cool tradition, and we've started it with my neice already. At 10, we were fairly responsible enough to twist the earings daily, and make sure it was clean, etc. So I think I would agree to it, if I ever have a daughter

My eighteen year old nephew (years ago) got his ear pierced which caused his 12yr old brother to want his done. My brother-in-law, a country boy, talked him into waiting until he was eighteen by telling him that at that time, if he still wanted it done, he would get his done too. Yep,Country Boy had to get his ears pierced on his son's eighteenth birthday. HeeHee (But it only lasted about three days.)

Can someone explain to me why a 12-month-old with pierced ears doesn't result in child abuse charges for someone? Unbelievable. My daughter won't be getting anything pierced until she's at least 120 months old.

My daughter got her ears pierced the same day my wife did. My daughter was 15 at the time. My wife went first and that almost made my daughter back out. That was 15 years ago.A few years later when she was in college, she asked my about getting a "small" tattoo. I told her if she was into self multilation, why didn't she just stand in front of a mirror and slap herself silly. She didn't like that response but she didn't get a tattoo either.Now she's married and a mother of three. A few months ago she said she was thinking about getting a small tattoo on her ankle. (A friend of her and her hubby at their church has one.) I just looked at her and didn't say a word.Far as I know, she still hasn't gotten at tattoo. From time-to-time, she and the kids will sport washable tats, but that's all.It's just stupid, really.

Can someone explain to me why a 12-month-old with pierced ears doesn't result in child abuse charges for someone?For much the same reason a newborn boy with his foreskin forcibly removed doesn't. It's de rigeur in our society.

I feel for you, lol! I hate to tell you, it's only going to get worse. I've raised three girls and the teen years can be very interesting!

IF she ever does get her hoohah decorated, don't worry. You will never, ever find out.I, too, hate seeing small children (of either gender!) with pierced ears. I just don't see the necessity.

My In-laws still don't know I have tattoos. Technically I only have two, although I'm closing in on 20 hours total work. I'm 100% certain they will hit the roof if/when they do finally find out.

My wife has an interesting, and unrefutable (in these PC-days) response, when people ask why we wouldn't consider tatoos or having our 3 year old pierced:"It's not part of our culture."Word Verification: "Hymatic" — Sounds like an automated deflowering device.

My parents did the "when you're 13 or you start your period – whichever comes first!" Mom broke dad down when I was 10 but I get why they waited, they're hard work to keep clean and if she has sensitive skin she'll have to have only gold — mine react to even stainless steel.

Hopefully it'll be a while before my little girl asks me (she's 1), since I don't even have my own ears pierced and neither does my mother. Just never cared much, I already have the right number of holes in my head. For now I'm thinking that if she really wants it I'll save it as part of a special mother-daughter day when she gets her first period. And lest anyone accuse me of being inconsistent, I refused unnecessary aesthetic modifications on my little boy, too.

Oh Christ yes, no piercing guns ever. I cannot fathom why people will take every precaution with any other piercing but somehow think their earlobes are immune to infection or ineptitude. I'd get my lobes pierced from the same level of professional I'd get my nipple pierced by.Ms. Who- have you never had anything pierced? That clothespin thing you describe would be orders of magnitude worse than just about any piercing save a large-gauge cartilage job.Word verifiction: "redneste"- the genitals of a backwoods meth-head woman.

my six y/o girl's best friend has pierced ears. i reminded little red head of her hatred of IVs and she has decided no way does she want anything that may cause pain, swelling, etc. smart kid. i got drunk at fire convention this week though, and came home with a belly button ring. trying to hide it from redhead til she's at least 40

LabRat: Yes, I've got double pierced ears…The first I did myself, the second set was 'professionally' done. I'm not saying it would hurt that much…just a deterrent for KB until she's older. Especially, as others have said, for her to be able to keep it clean those first few weeks.(Word verification: trinests…for birds into menage-a-tois.)

aargh…I hate that word "coochie"…. (kill me, I'm a prude.)

I had my youngest daughter's ears pierced when she was about 3 months old. I asked them to put the holes pretty close to her head as her ears would probably grow. Wouldn't you know it, she has pretty dainty ears and the holes are still really close to her head (and she is in her twenties).When I was in grade 5 (a gazillion years ago), my teacher pierced my ears at recess, using her fingers to pinch (to numb them) and a needle and a potato. My parents never gave permission (and the teacher would never have thought to ask). Any teacher who did that nowadays would be sued to high heaven! Probably rightfully so.

If I ever have daughters and they want their ears pierced, they can drive themselves (in their car, with the license and insurance they're old enough to have and paid for themselves) to the place and get it done. I figure if they're willing to go to that much trouble, they mean it.Jim

Just another voice seconding the use of a disposable needle over the gun; less trauma, less risk of infection, in short, her ears will thank you. I went through the whole cauliflower ear think with wrestling, and ear trauma is not fun. Also had 9 14 gauge earrings in one ear with no problems… done by a professional piercer with needles in a clean studio. It was fun while it lasted, but the earrings went away when I started pulling 3 shifts a week on the ambulance and the holes are barely noticeable.And remember; while they may change the way people are perceived, piercings don't change who you are. She's still your same little girl, just a little sparklier now

Happy Father's Day AD!

Matt asked:Can someone explain to me why a 12-month-old with pierced ears doesn't result in child abuse charges for someone?Matt, it's for the same reason that having your infant inocculated against diseases, or given a blood test doesn't result in child abuse charges. There is no more pain or (if done by a professional) danger than either of those procedures. Heck, some doctors actually hook babies up to IV's, which is exponentially more painful than having one's ears pierced. I think a bit of "perspective" might do you well.