Gransnet forums

Chat

Pamper parties for children

(219 Posts)
Vintagejazz Fri 29-Apr-22 09:51:48

A friend was a bit shocked to hear her granddaughter will be having a pamper party for her 9th birthday.

Apparently there will be manicures, a foot spa and various other spa treatments, mock champagne, sparkly make up etc

Whatever happened to musical chairs and pass the parcel?

Hetty58 Mon 02-May-22 08:20:18

MissAdventure, I disagree - and think of it as a 'lower class' thing - or vulgar, quite frankly. The women around here who haunt the beauty parlours, hairdressers, nail bars etc. (those with the funny cartoon eyebrows and pouty lips) are certainly not middle class.

What kind of role models are they? There's a huge difference between looking your best and looking like a clown!

MissAdventure Mon 02-May-22 08:07:32

Nobody I know would have the kind of money for pamper days, so I suggest it might be a more "middle class" thing. smile

snowberryZ Mon 02-May-22 07:51:36

Farmor15

I've been following this thread with interest and realise I have mixed feelings about the issue of young children and pamper parties, make up etc.
I actually think there's a kind of class issue (duck behind sofa!). Can you imagine seeing any of the royal children with nail polish, make up or with pierced ears?

I'll duck for cover with you.
I agree.
There are some lovely photos of Princess Chaelotte this morning. She looks so fit, natural and healthy.. She looks just how a child should look.
Like a child.

AussieNanna Mon 02-May-22 05:09:24

I don't mind young girls wearing nail polish or a bit of lip gloss or sparkles for fun.

It isn't full make up.

Moderation and context matter.

Vintagejazz Sun 01-May-22 21:17:36

Apologies but I'm finding your comments a bit unclear.
But apologies if I took you up wrong.
I thought you were endorsing make up etc for young children

Hithere Sun 01-May-22 19:38:17

Vintage

It is very clear in my comments that I highly object to the beauty standard for women today

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 01-May-22 19:08:59

I agree Blondiescot and Farmor. I said up thread that I think nail polish and makeup on very young girls looks common and am surprised that a few bricks haven’t been thrown at me, but that’s how I see it.

Farmor15 Sun 01-May-22 19:02:13

I've been following this thread with interest and realise I have mixed feelings about the issue of young children and pamper parties, make up etc.
I actually think there's a kind of class issue (duck behind sofa!). Can you imagine seeing any of the royal children with nail polish, make up or with pierced ears?

Blondiescot Sun 01-May-22 18:59:30

'The bday person picks the theme' - eh no, not in this house. If I'm organising and paying for the party, I'll be picking the theme, thank you very much - although I would be picking something that I know the child likes and is interested in (but not a pamper party!)

Germanshepherdsmum Sun 01-May-22 18:29:07

It’s not a matter of telling children that it’s wrong to wear makeup, which of course it isn’t, it’s telling them that it’s something older girls often do if they want to. There are so many things that it’s fine for adults to do but which are not appropriate for children. Wearing makeup is one of them.

Vintagejazz Sun 01-May-22 18:12:39

So you think little girls should wear foundation and lipstick and mascara Hithere, because their mum or granny or auntie does?

Hithere Sun 01-May-22 18:08:55

Snowerryz

Isn't that what adults do, especially women, enhance themselves?

Why tell kids it is wrong to do that when it is the message they see everywhere?

"Dont so what I do, do as I say"

Vintagejazz Sun 01-May-22 18:07:49

I think you know what I meant Hithere.

snowberryZ Sun 01-May-22 18:06:02

Putting mum's lipstick on and a bit of sparkly nail polish is one thing.
But these pamper parties give the message to girls that they will only look nice if they spend lots of money 'enhancing' themselves.

Hithere Sun 01-May-22 18:04:51

What's wrong with a decaf espresso? Assuming the child is interested in coffee?

Soda has more caffeine and chemicals than that

Serendipity22 Sun 01-May-22 18:04:28

Absolutely ridiculous..... shock

Hithere Sun 01-May-22 18:02:18

What is age appropriate is very subjective, as we can see on this thread

Vintagejazz Sun 01-May-22 17:46:57

Hithere

Exactly, the bday person picks the theme

It is very hypocritical for kids to see something adults do but they can't because of their age - drink alcohol, drive, get married is not included here

How confusing for a child trying to emulate their elders but they are told not to because they are not "old enough" - what kind of reason is that?
Just like "I said so"
How do we expect kids to learn to make their own decisions if adults make them for them and without being explained why?

Grandparents, if you want your gc to be safe from pedophiles (insert eye roll here), stop the behaviours you think they entice them - no nail polish for you, no makeup, etc.

Because some things are age appropriate. We don't let children stay up as late as adults, wear expensive jewellery, drink espressos, all kinds of things that you wait until you're grown up to do.

Hithere Sun 01-May-22 17:19:27

Exactly, the bday person picks the theme

It is very hypocritical for kids to see something adults do but they can't because of their age - drink alcohol, drive, get married is not included here

How confusing for a child trying to emulate their elders but they are told not to because they are not "old enough" - what kind of reason is that?
Just like "I said so"
How do we expect kids to learn to make their own decisions if adults make them for them and without being explained why?

Grandparents, if you want your gc to be safe from pedophiles (insert eye roll here), stop the behaviours you think they entice them - no nail polish for you, no makeup, etc.

Bibbity Sun 01-May-22 17:11:31

Hetty58

I think, in general, it's rather sad not to choose something more interesting than a pamper party - when there's such a variety of outings and activities out there.

But it is interesting to the birthday person.

Vintagejazz Sun 01-May-22 15:53:07

LOUISA1523

Wanting to play dolls at 9 is not babyish...but its very much not the norm anymore...my eldest GD is 6 ...shes pretty much done with dolls...she will play with her little sister but that about it....she doesn't play with any indoor toys really....if she plays schools or shops...its with regular items not toys....none of my GDs like lego....they like a game tho...eg frustration

I agree it is sadly not the norm. We got so many years of pleasure and exercised our imaginations so much playing with dolls and other toys that are now dismissed as babyish almost as soon as children are out of rompers. Childhood really has become truncated nowadays.

Hetty58 Sun 01-May-22 15:39:29

I think, in general, it's rather sad not to choose something more interesting than a pamper party - when there's such a variety of outings and activities out there.

LOUISA1523 Sun 01-May-22 15:20:43

Wanting to play dolls at 9 is not babyish...but its very much not the norm anymore...my eldest GD is 6 ...shes pretty much done with dolls...she will play with her little sister but that about it....she doesn't play with any indoor toys really....if she plays schools or shops...its with regular items not toys....none of my GDs like lego....they like a game tho...eg frustration

MawtheMerrier Sun 01-May-22 12:50:59

We set our children up to be the victims of such types when we dress them as mini me's but they are too young to explain to what they might encounter and how to deal with it
It's a heck of a big jump from Pamper parties to sexualization or mini-me's.
Let's not get this out of proportion

Elizabeth27 Sun 01-May-22 12:41:47

It is never the fault of the victim when it comes to flashers, pedophiles, or any sexual predators, regardless of makeup or clothing.

We are way past the times of the thinking that when a woman wears a short skirt she is asking to be sexually assaulted.