Should I let my boys paint his nails? Yes! Nail polish is gender free!
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If my boys love to paint his nails, should I worry about it? Should I let the boys use nail polishes? What are your thoughts on allowing boys to paint their nails? Is this something that makes you uncomfortable or are you all for it?
I let my own son paint his nails and how it welcomes creativity and artistic expression. I intend to help guide my kids to find their truth, self-confidence, and esteem with the ultimate goal of raising well-rounded individuals in the most beautiful way possible.
As a mom of a little girl and boy, I have had our fair share of nail painting. When my daughter was younger, she was very much into it and would sit at her art table with full concentration on painting her own nails and toes. It did not take long before my two-year-old son wanted to dabble in his own colorful expression.
He is the kind of kid that is nearly always covered in art, mainly using his body as a canvas. He loves to color up his arms, legs, and belly with markers and paint and I fully encourage this art exploration. Recently, he started getting into nail polish and asked for his nails and toes to be painted, so of course I complied. In my house, we welcome art and creativity. Because creating is fun. Plain and simple.
By allowing a child to freely explore, freely create, and freely express, it helps to facilitate mental growth, problem solving, cause and effect as well as supporting social and emotional development. Children make sense of the world around them by dramatic and creative play. In addition, when children are encouraged to express their creative ideas, it boosts self-confidence.
Here's why my son wearing nail polish is an incredible thing
He is doing what he likes
He likes to have his fingers and toe nails painted. He likes to have them painted with sparkles, because he likes sparkles. He's not letting an increasingly gendered child culture dictate his likes and dislikes. Sparkles make him happy. Not because they look like dragon claws, or because they're for princesses; he likes sparkles themselves.
He knows that adults aren't always right
Older family members have expressed their discontent with his nail polish. We've had to assure him that it's wonderful, and that he can wear whatever he wants. Already he's learning that adults aren't the all-powerful gods we pretend to be.
He knows we accept the choices he makes for his body
Not only does this promote bodily autonomy, but it also promotes bodily acceptance. When he asked for sparkly polish at Target, I didn't tell him to pick something else. When he wanted it on his nails, I picked up the bottle and started painting.
His father and I respected his right to make decisions about his body. We accepted him for who he is and what he wants, even though he knows I prefer when he picks black polish. I hope he remembers this acceptance as time goes on, and that it continues to play a major role in our relationship.
He's exercising his bodily integrity
His body is his own. He has the right to decide, within reason, what happens to it. He has decided that he wants his body adorned with sparkly nail polish. That decision puts him in control of his body. This is an important lesson for small children to learn. No one has the right to do things to them without their consent.
He's asserting his self-identity
My son isn't letting society tell him how he has to be. When he picks out sparkly polish, he makes his own way to be in the world. This strong self-identity will serve him well later in life, when peer pressure sets in and when the daily grind pressures him to conform. He'll always be the boy who wore sparkly polish to the playground, and who was completely his own person.
Choosing nail polishes for kids
High quality
It complies the strictest worldwide safety regulations: FDA, Europe and Japan Safety requirements. Made in France.
100% safe
Our nail polish are free of chemicals that could harm your children. Dermatologically tested to avoid allergic reactions on sensitive skin.
Eco-friendly
Our formula are non-toxic and water-based which makes it safe for children of all ages and even expectant mothers.
Peels off
No need for nail polish remover.
Looking for this kind of nail polish? Check here!
I have always told my kids that in OUR family, boys and girls can like the same colors and that there is no such thing as a “boy” color or a “girl” color.
I am not actively encourage you to let your son wear nail polish, but if he insists that it’s something he wants, I am also not going to stand in his way. As a parent, it is not my job to block him but it is my job to support him.
My parenting mantra is: I can teach you the difference between right and wrong but only you can decide to do the right thing.
