Advice with Teenage Daughters & Piercings

[Xrayted]

Ok, I have to chime in here. I got my navel pierced last year at the ripe age of 36. I had wanted to do it for years. I went with some friends from college (right before graduation) and two of us had it done at the same time. (only way i would have had the courage after seeing how big the needle is) It hurt like crazy and I couldn't sit right to drive home because my jeans rubbed against it. When my scrub pants rubbed against it at work, I went over to the ER and got them to put a big bandage on it. The nurse who bandaged it showed me her navel piercing of 7 years. After the two bad days, it was fine. It never got infected because I followed the piercing shops' advice on how to care for it to the T. It took about a month to heal up pretty well. I still have it and it's fine. BTW, this was all done in ultra conservative Amish country PA.

In the end, I think it is an individual choice because it is the individual who will be living with it. If she is normally a levelheaded, mature, responsible young woman as you say she is, then I'm not sure where the reservations are coming from except that it is the old school in you coming out. Just help her find a shop that is professional, takes all of the correct precautions, and get her a big bandaid for the ride home. If she is really committed to this and has no reservations, she will pay for it herself too. For a 16 yo, spending her own money instead of mom and dad's shows that she truly wants to do this.

BTW, when I showed my Mom, she freaked a little but got used to it. Even at 36, she felt I still should have discussed it with her beforehand. *shrugs shoulders*

Good luck.

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver and Mr. Silver are now in agreement on this with the help of the balanced perspectives and feedback offered:

• I will take her to affirm that although I don't choose it, I respect her choice
• She will pay for it...she's got more money than me anyway
• If she has a problem, I will not say "I told you so"...she's smart enough to know what to do and to deal responsibly with the outcome

I will take her to a place that Silver and I have been before...ahem So, we know that the staff is sanitary, conscientious, and responsible.

[Dianyla]

Sounds like you've reached a good decision that you're all comfy with, wonderful! And, the not saying "I told you so" will probably the hardest part...

[Aquila]

Sounds like a really good way to handle things. I hope things work out.

As a college teacher, I sort of take piercings for granted now. I don't really notice them unless there's spectacular jewelry involved. But I know lots of students who take them out for work and put them back in when they're not working.

One of my very favorite college students had numerous piercings: ears, spikes along the back of the neck, face, etc. He went to work for a fire department, and they all had to go, and so they went. Most piercings don't seem to cause big problems (when done by folks who know what they're doing).