Bonding over manicures

  • Ali

At what age is it appropriate for your child to have her nails painted? Well I’ve opened a can of worms with that questions haven’t I!

I’ve just booked Miss H in to have her hair cut and a manicure before the Christmas holidays. I came home to a very happy face and lots of hugs as the best mummy in the world - don’t worry it will change overnight.  But should I be pampering her in this way, or is it setting her up to a lifetime of feeling inadequate if she’s not groomed to perfection?

It’s a rare child, beauty lover or beauty indifferent, who isn’t delighted by a manicure or a pedicure. The crazy, lovely colours you get to choose, as varied as ice cream flavours and often with names to match. The glitz and shimmer, the pure pleasure of lounging around with a parent – male or female - getting pampered… it’s hard to beat.

Whether you decide to go together to a salon, or just do a lazy pedicure at home on a Friday night, it’s an intimate, genuinely fun opportunity to connect with your kids.

In the salon, everybody (parents and kids alike) walks out pampered and polished, so it’s a great multitasking way to relax, do some maintenance, and spend time together all at once. And it really is an activity suited for all ages and genders.  Why can’t dad go for a manicure and take his daughter or son too. It’s a great play date and often a place that great conversations happen as everyone is really relaxed and not face to face across the table. You get to chat man to man (as it were) and I’ve always found it’s amazing how open kids will be in this situation.

We mainly did home manicures until Miss H hit her teens. To be honest, my techniques left a lot to be desired and while I could cover it up when she was little, the salon route was less stressful then the tears over the messy edges and lumpy finish.

Manicures are a great, fun way to pamper yourself and your loved ones and get some great quality time together. If you want to do your own pamper nights at home, why not check our Arbonne’s range of skincare treatments or makeup.