On occasion, I treat myself to a pedicure. The last few times I have visited the salon, I've noticed a growing number of kids getting manicures and pedicures.
At first, I was irritated because I had to wait for a group of 5 or 6 very young-ladies who were taking up the pedicure chairs. My feet hurt and my toes looked aweful and this was my one hour of freedom for the weekend. I just wanted to relax in the massage-chair, read a magazine and enjoy my pedi.
But then, I realized they were enjoying the treatment as much as, if not more than I would.
I'm not sure I would allow my daughter to get pedicures until she's a teenager. I just don't feel it's appropriate for kids under a certain age. And I'm not sure why.
Maybe I feel its a luxury that should be reserved for adults. Don't get me wrong, my daughter and I paint our toes in my bathroom all the time, but I wouldn't take her for a pedicure - she's 6.
Am I alone on this?
I don't have a daughter yet,
I don't have a daughter yet, but I think that I would as a special treat. I don't think it is something necessary all the time, but after a special achievement or birthday, I think it would be fun to do. A special bonding moment for mother and daughter.
I get manicures and
I get manicures and pedicures all the time, and I have never seen a child getting a pedicure. If did, I would think it was cute. They are paying customers(I would assume their mothers have to be covering their bill), just the same as I am, so if the salon is willing to accomodate them and accept their business, I don't see how I could be justified in feeling like I am more entitled to the pedicure chairs than they are. Would you have been any less annoyed if you had walked in to the salon and all the chairs were taken up by adults?
I don't have a daughter - I have a son, but if I did have a little girl I doubt I'd take her for regular pedicures at that age....but maybe for a special treat. I am sure girls at that age just love doing anything like mommy.
Does your salon take appointments? I am not sure, but it sounds like in the above scenario you were a walk in.....if so, perhaps next time you could make an appointment? I work full time so I know how difficult it can be to work time for things like this into your schedule.....so normally when I go I call ahead and make an appointment. Maybe that would help.
:)
When my daughter turned the
When my daughter turned the big 1-0h, I took her for a mini-pedi and lunch - it was very special and she had an absolute blast. So now, periodically, we leave the boys at home and pamper ourselves and then have lunch. We don't do this all the time which makes it even more special when we do.
The conversation we have during this time together is priceless and enjoy seeing her pampered - she is such a tomboy all the other times.
I don't find anything wrong
I don't find anything wrong with it. It's no different, I don't think than if you were to give your daughter a home pedi. I bring my 5 year old daughter all the time to get mani & pedi's, she loves it. Of course there are times when she says she doesn't want it done too so I know it's not something she takes for granted or anything. She always thanks me and always has a big smile on her face the whole time she's being pampered so I know she really enjoys it.
I don't feel it's a luxury
I don't feel it's a luxury reserved for adults, I jus feel it's an adult thing. I defiantly paint my daughters nails and we've gone out for special lunches together, but some things I just feel can wait until they're older. I take my son to for special lunches, but I wouldn't want him going someplace with his dad were just men go to unwind and talk like adults.
I treasure my manicures and talking adult talk, so if kids are there suddenly I have to watch everything I say.
So don't be mad at me ladies, I'm NOT judging you, but I'm a mom all the time I just like to use that time to be a woman.
I guess I also feel that kids are growing up so fast these days that I don't want mine visiting the salon and being concerned about beauty and looks until she's older. I'd rather pamper her at home, which like I said I do. I even do a Swedish voice and just go completely over the top when I give her that treat at home.
bookworm_mom ~ mommy of twins
Wow...I hardly even talk
Wow...I hardly even talk when I am getting a pedicure, much less adult talk....lol....I save that for the occasioal lunch with a co-worker or happy hour....I talk to the guy who does my nails & fills but I have been going to him for almost four years.....the funny thing about that is that he has a five year old son who is often in the shop (both he and his wife work there, they own the place) so I have watched the boy grow up. It doesn't bother me when he's there....sometimes while I am waiting for his dad he used to come up and talk to me about my nails and pretend to do them....I thought that was cute. I can tell some people in the shop are uptight about him being there, but for whatever reason it doesn't faze me.
I also don't see how if little girls are getting the same beauty treatment at home, that they are any less concerned about appearance, etc.......appearance is part of being a woman, and I think they learn the concept of beauty early on. Mayve I amm talking out of turn, since I don't have a daughter, so forgive me, but I guess little girls in the nail salon just doesn't bother me.
I personally think that
I personally think that starting out kids so young with expensive things like this is asking for trouble later, just wanting more and more. At 10, my daughter has begged for them, but yet, she is still happy to have me do mani/pedicures for her AND it is nice because we have some bonding girlie time together. As a single mom, it is just too expensive of a treat for me, let alone my daughter.
Single mom in Mesa to two great kids (8 & 10) and two great adults (18 & 20)
My daughter turned 3 in
My daughter turned 3 in April. I waited till she was three until we shared the experience of painting her nails. I think going to a salon at this age - or even school age is a little extreme. My first mani was when I was 16 - and that was for prom. I try not to put too much emphasis on beauty issues with my daughter. I don't want her self esteem dependent on her outer beauty. With painting her nails (since mommies toes are always red or pink), I made it more of an art project.
I agree with you ryzagaja &
I agree with you ryzagaja & prekmom. As a mom I just feel the "salon" is too grown up for young girls and pricey to boot.
I also let my daughter know that getting her nails painted is a "special occasion". Not an every day thing and then let her go out and play in the dirt!
I'm really lucky my manicurist and I are friends and we like to talk to each other about all kinds of things since we come from similar backgrounds. As a matter of fact her name is Lisa and she is having a special of buy 1 pedicure get 1 free. Her number is 602 714-4188 if anyones interested.
: )
bookworm_mom ~ mommy of twins
I have two boys but If I had
I have two boys but If I had a girl, I would reserve this for a special treat. Kids expect so much these days - partly parents' fault, me included - and a pedicure is the last thing they need to expect.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.
I think a trip to the salon
I think a trip to the salon or spa can be a fun bonding time for moms and kids. It's also a great opportunity to teach them the benefits and importance of taking care of themselves. Children and teenagers often have a lot of stress and tension, and may have skin issues. Teaching them how to care for their bodies and skin at a younger age can form good lifelong habits!
Margo Zelenski, owner
The Massage & Esthetics Studio
www.TheMassageStudio.com