My 16 year old wants her belly button pierced

Amber - posted on 04/05/2013

I would say, if she is responsible and has decided that she really wants it, I would let her get her belly button pierced.

Maddie - posted on 12/17/2012

I think you should let her ! My daughter is 15 & on cheerleading squad also. & just think about it this way ether way she will have it done sooner or latter. Also if she wants it bad enough she could possible do it to herself or her friends could even help her.

Brittany - posted on 12/11/2012

I just wanted to say im not a mom, im 18. but i feel you should also see her perspective. looking back. i did mine at 15, without my moms approval. i was stupid. AND YOU DONT WANT HER DOING THIS. im lucky my turned out okay. tell her that she needs to wait a year, and if she still wants it let her get it. because if people get their minds stuck to something they will do it regardless. but tell her she only has to wait a year to be sure that its what she wants . because sometimes what you think you NEED now. you may have a completely different opinion later .

Karyn - posted on 10/19/2012

Hi I am a Karyn too:)

I have 3 daughters one thats 21 and one thats almost 16 and a 12 year old.(and a son-9)

My girls are all cheerleaders too and go to a private catholic high school....all there freinds have them.(my 21 year old at 16 and my alomst 16 yr old just recently... I was reluctent,but Before I said no I told my daughter to give it a few weeks to see if it was a hype thing would wear off...because everyone else was doing it... well weeks passes and she asked me again and even was willing to pay for it her self(no biggie on that) and that she would not show it inappropriatly.... I agrred to that and if it got infected or she was showing it with clothes that werent appropriate it comes out immidiatley...(by the way this is my shyer conservative child) I know girls that are 4.0+ students great girls, great values, conservative families, and they have them too. Its a fase and it will come out eventually. Tatoos on the other hand not while there in my home:)lol

Ps. They also have to have simple rings not gotty tyacky ones... Not sure if that helps but I didnt want them to have them and talking to allot of other moms said they could be asking for alot worse or doing bad things... By the way its been a few months and its not like she even has one... the hype has worn off and she even said recently she might take it out... My 21 yr old has a tiny one still....never see that either unless in a swim suit...its been in and out 3-6 times...(though shes my wild one)LOL but a good girl too!!!

Starr - posted on 10/17/2012

My kids do cheer as well. What happens when she's cheering and it gets ripped out during a stunt or something. Not a good idea.

Starr - posted on 10/17/2012

We have a rule in our house, no tattoo's body piercing other than two holes in the ear or funky permanent hair color, washout, koolaid or chalk color is okay tho, until your at least 18. If I have to sign something for permission it's not okay. I always get the well so and so has their belly button pierced and I just say well your not so and so and then I show her the hole I have in my belly button from an old piercing.

Peggy - posted on 10/15/2012

I think that one of the hardest things in parenting a teen is deciding when and how to let go and permit them to make choices (and mistakes) that you might not agree with. For many of our kids they are completely managed and scheduled until they are 18, then free to make all their own choices after that. That's a difficult transition for them.



I think it's a good idea to gradually let them make more and more personal choices each year before they go off on their own. Perhaps if you gave your teen a waiting period, that would give you and her some time to think about her choice and what it means to her identity and acceptance with her friends.



My daughter is 17 now, and we talked about piercings and tatoos a couple of years ago. I recommended that she wait until college, since these can be permanently disfiguring choices which could affect her employment and that she might change her mind. She seems to have lost interest in piercings for now. In the end, she will make her own choice but I feel that she got the benefit of my parenting and asking her to wait.

Nancy - posted on 10/15/2012

Oh course! She is definatlly old enough to take care of it, and its just another way of expressing who she really is.

Stasi - posted on 10/09/2012

There is helpful information at http://www.bellybling.net/Belly-Button-N... that may help answer any questions for you or your daughter regarding piercings.

Pauline - posted on 09/12/2012

my son wanted his lip piecing I said no, he got it done anyway. He wanted to put some silly stretchy things in his ears and i said no, he did it anyway. he wanted his nose doing I said yes and he said to me ' mom i really did hate going behind your back but i want to learn from my own mistakes'

Isabelle - posted on 09/12/2012

LET HER!!!!!

Listen...

You know you always wanted something from your parents.

You know that if someone else had something that you didnt when you were younger made you feel like a loner.

Its is her body and if she loves it and seriously wants it...

LET HER!!!!!

She will love you forever and always!!!

Cierra - posted on 04/12/2012

No no no! She is only 16 and she doesn't know what she wants yet. When she moves out let her know she can make all the decisions she wants. Don't make it a bargain with her ..that's what is wrong with moms nowadays they try to make deals and compromises. That's not how it works.. you are the mom, not her! Just bcuz everyone else has it doesn't mean she has to have one too. What if all her friends were getting pregnant and she wanted a baby too, would you let her?

Brit - posted on 04/11/2012

I would have a open talk with her explain your concerns and maybe try to wait a year. It's obviously not something you really want done or you wouldn't be on this forum. You can still have boundaries with your kids without worrying they are going to do it behind your back anyway. If that's your main reason for saying yes than you have bigger problems than a belly ring. having a respectful conversation will only bring you closer together and help you come to a compris.

Misty - posted on 03/24/2012

I would ask her why she wants it. Does she want one, because her friend do? Do you like the look? Is it something you would do? What are your values talk with your daughter and tell her what you think.

I myself would not allow it, but I have think why would I allow my child to put holes in her body God did not put there him self. I tend to be old fashion.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Myra - posted on 03/22/2012

there are worse things she could want! My daughter got a very good school report and I went with her she is 13 - use it as major bribery

Jenn - posted on 03/18/2012

My daughter has been bugging me since she was 13, I finally decided to let her for her 15th birthday. She too is a cheerleader and a good student and all around good kid. I really don't see a problem with it, there could be much worse things they want than a naval piercing.

Andree - posted on 03/16/2012

no biggie let her

Donna - posted on 10/12/2011

at 16, i think i would let my girls get belly rings. I got mine done at 19, decided that the pain of a needle in my stomach was the first and last time that was happening. Regardless I ended up taking the belly ring out after i got pregnant, now i have this ugly scar just above the piercing

Krystia - posted on 10/12/2011

I promised my daughter that I would take her on her 13th birthday. She's 16 now, and has had no issues with it. She's a good girl, makes straight A's, and has no other piercings except her ears.

Fiona - posted on 10/10/2011

Oh my daughter has it done! I went with her, better with then without. It actually looks great and you know what it's not that big a deal! And you can get her belly button rings for xmas.

Joy - posted on 10/10/2011

My daughter got hers done at 14.We looked up all the pics bad and good of what could happen.We even found a group on CM that helped us too.you saw it was when she wore her bikini,she is very modest.She is 17 now and wants it to close because as she has grown she feels the skin is shorter so she wants to let it close and get it redone.

Steffanie - posted on 07/09/2011

Tell her she has to wait until she is 18.

Kym - posted on 07/08/2011

Both my daughter and step daughter have them, as well as their mom! I got min ethe same day I took my daughter in to get hers. It was 2 summers ago and she was 14. Step dau had gotten hers when she was 15.

Raquel - posted on 08/17/2009

let her! it could be worse. she could go have it done without your permission. if you go with her and look at places to see how decent the business is then she will realize that it's not a joke. i did with my 16 year old. her grades were good and she keeps it clean, no infections. it's a thing girls like. such as we did when we were young...but ours was probably clothes or having a boyfriend..

Beverley - posted on 08/17/2009

My 14 year old wants hers doing and im going to let her i think because she'll only find a way to have it done behind my back and at least this way i can keep an eye on it and make sure its looked after.

Sandra - posted on 08/16/2009

My 19 year old daughter has had one for about 8 months now and she has had a terrible time with it healing I would advise them to wait til they are old enough to do it without their mom to sign for them. She is thinking about taking hers out because it won't heal. She has alot of piercing but in the ear and they always heal just fine.

Victoria - posted on 08/16/2009

ME AND MY GIRLS HAVE A RULE. I'M THE PARENT AND I SAY NO TO BELLY PIERCES. I THINK IT'S OK BUT IM NOT READY FOR MY SIXTEEN WHO IS ALSO A STRAIGHT A STUDENT AND STILL A VIRGIN. WE TALK OPENLY AND SHE TELLS ME ABOUT A BOYS WHO SHE LIKE. IM OLD FASHION AND I STILL BELIEVE AS A PARENT I HAVE THE LAST SAY SO. MY GIRLS ASKS ME FOR THINGS THAT ARE REASONABLE AND I SAY YES. MY OLDEST DAUGHTER WANTS A SECOND HOLE IN HER EAR. I SAY YES AND I WILL TAKE HER TO GET IT DONE.

LATARSHA - posted on 08/14/2009

MY DAUGHTER HAS HAD HER'S SINCE SHE WAS 14. SHE IS A STRAIGHT A STUDENT AND A VIRGIN.. NOW IF ALL SHE WANT'S IS TO EXPRESS HERSELF WITH A PIERCING I'M OKAY. SHE AND I HAVE AN AGREEMENT SHE HAS TO SAY NO TO SEX.. AND I'LL SAY YES TO SELF EXPRESSION. I MEAN LOOK AT ALL TEENAGERS ARE DOING NOW AND DAYS ALL SHE WANTS IS TO FEEL MORE SECURE OR FEEL EVEN PRETTIER THAT'S FINE IT DOES NOT MEAN SHE HAS LOW SELF ESTEEM SHE HONESTLY THINKS ALOT OF HERSELF. AND YOU NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO KEEP IT, SO IT MAKES THEM A LITTLE MORE RESPONSIBLE, IT NOT AS BAD AS YOU THINK.....SEX VERSUS A BELLY RING YOU CHOOSE.

Jill - posted on 08/12/2009

I let my daughter get her's done when she was 15, at the time this is one thing she wanted really bad and i thought it was better than a tattoo or going behind my back and getting it done. so my one friend took her and signed for her since she was under aged and it has been find ever since..she hasn't want to get any more piercings done which is a good thing. and she can always cover it up and it will never affect her to get any type of job

Dianne - posted on 08/05/2009

My daughter was 13 when she got hers done and she had to wait from wanting it done earlier, I don't see any problem with it.

Tammi - posted on 08/05/2009

I have a 15 year old and I thought, well it couldn't hurt anything it can grow back when she decides she doesn't want it. She then seen how it was done on a tv show and that was the end of that. No belly button ring! lol

Tanya - posted on 08/04/2009

My daughter is 14 and she's asking for one. I told her that we would have a serious discussion and research reputable shops when she turned 16. I explained to her that she's still my baby and I would like to keep her "lil'" just awhile longer. She accepted that. She may also change her mind by then anyway. I look at it as a sort of cooling off period. When she's ready, we can look together and I'll hopefully have accepted that she can't stay my lil' baby forever! lol

Stacey - posted on 08/03/2009

I know you will get mixed answers on this, but if her belly button is the worst thing, consider yourself lucky! There are so many worse things she could do. A belly button isn't even that bad as piercings go. It can be covered up. HA! My sister has her whole FACE done!

She is a cheerleader, which means she has to get the grades. Which means she has to have a somewhat level head. Make her do a pro/con list. Research it online, both sides. And give you 3 reasons why she wants it done. Other than "because all my friends do".

Not too mention not fighting small things, makes her hold a little more stock in things you say when you DO fight them.

Linda - posted on 08/03/2009

My daughter got her pierced at 14. I was not happy about it at all. Her father who is usually very conservative told her it was fine with him so I was stuck. She took care of it properly and she never shows it off unless she is wearing a swimming suit so it has not been an issue. Many of her friends have one also it seems to be a very popular piercing.

Carol - posted on 08/03/2009

My oldest daughter had hers done at 16. Id rather that than the nose, lip or eyebrow. Honestly it wasnt that big of a deal and outgrew it in abt 3yrs. She doesnt even have it anymore.

My advice is you do let her. Get it done at a professional VERY well respected piercing and/or tatoo place. Someone who has been doing it for awhile. We got ours done at a place and the guy had been doing it 25yrs. It was done so fast we didnt feel anything -SERIOUSLY.

They do take ALOT of care at the beginning. Also, DONT do it in the summer. If they go in the water, especially the beach. The chlorine and definately the sand will iritate it.

Wait until fall or winter so its healed by next summer.

I still have mine 7yrs later but my daughter got bored with it and let it close.

Hope this helps

Deirdre - posted on 08/02/2009

I have a 14 year old.. For me, and this is what my mom told me.. If I wanted anything pierced, tattooed ect. I have to be 18 and out of her house. My daughter for her 14th birthday wanted a second hole in her ear, so I had it done for her. Other than that, I agree with my mom. I had my second hole in my ear done at 16, my third at 17 and my upper ear lobe at 18. I went to the military at 21 came home with my first tattoos.

Christine - posted on 07/10/2009

I have a 16 year old going to be 17 and for her 16th birthday i let my sister take her to do it. I have mine done and its not really that big of a deal she can always take it out. A tattoo once its there its there.

Lisa - posted on 07/10/2009

my 16yr old did too and i told her no way! just my opinion but..mines gotta wait!

Erica - posted on 07/09/2009

My daughter is 13 and she went behind my back one day and try peirceing her belly button and she didnt get it all the way threw,I was not a happy person when I found out that she didit behind my basck,but after awhile her dad and I told her we would let her get it done by professional,and now it looks good but she wants her tongue done and we told her that she cant get that done until she is 18...But I rather have the periceing done than a tattoo because they stick for life,periceing you can take out,,,and not only that you can get arrested now if you aloud your child to have a tattoo and the tattoo artist can get arrested too,because it is a permant thing on the body...so i would say let her have it done,if not she may sneak behind your back and do it...It is hope to you!!!

Mary - posted on 07/09/2009

I believe in exploring good information, saying my own opinion of it and then leaving the decision in the hands of my children. If we decide all the choices for them, when will they learn to make them for themselves? I guess I would say, "that's up to you, but I think it would be wise to look into just what it entails." and then to let her decide and commit to being OK with whatever that decision is. Here is a place to look at some info about belly piercing: http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/body-pi...

Deb - posted on 07/05/2009

My daughter was 11 when she got hers done. We made her a deal that if she got to have a belly button ring, then no more peircings until she was 18. This worked well for us. She wanted peircings in her nose, eye brow and tongue but never asked. She is now 18 and still doesn't have the more visible peircings. Good Luck

Tammy - posted on 07/03/2009

Sometimes you just have to let the kids do the in thing. My daughter got hers pierced and then at the age of 24 is about to be a mommy and removed it. She said it made her feel in style but she doesn't care about that anymore. My rules were that she take care of it and if it got infected it would be removed and that would be the end of it. I work in the medical field and when they get infected they are nasty. Make sure she gets it done professionally. It must be her responsibility to keep it clean and care for it.

Diane - posted on 07/03/2009

My daughter is just 16 & she got her belly button pierced for her 13th birthday She loves it doesn't show it off much only in summer She was really good at keeping it clean until it healed which can be some months...and it's not a tattoo!!!! She is a really great girl and a good student.

Mitzie - posted on 07/02/2009

Let her do it. Mine wants her's done too for her 15th birthday. She is a good kid with straight A's, active at church and plays sports. Plus, I can't say too much because I've had mine redone years ago.

Sandy - posted on 07/02/2009

Thanks for this tip - mine has started asking as well and this will be the perfect answer!

Bonnie - posted on 07/02/2009

I refused for my daughter to do this and told her she had to be 18. So she did it anyway and I took it away. Kids will always do what we dont want them to do.

Sylvia - posted on 07/01/2009

So does mine! I said "No"! My excuse is that she's a cheerleader, and it could always get caught on something and hurt herself. Was that quick thinking or what? But, she also says that when she turns 18 she will get a tattoo. How do you discourage that? Or do you just let it go?

Leslie - posted on 07/01/2009

i no the feeling my 11 yr want hers done. i said no way not till she is older. we set the age at 14 she may change her mind and she may not. but at 16 i would let her do it. but only if i took her to get it done. that way i no its done by a pro. and it really not that big of a deal. its just an earring. and i have one my self i think there cute.

Lisa - posted on 07/01/2009

At age 16 we let each of our girls choose one piercing, etc. (besides the one hole in each ear) with a promise from each that that would be it! One of our daughters pierced her bellybutton and the other pierced her nose. So far, so good! They felt like they got what they wanted, but didn't go overboard.

Penny - posted on 07/01/2009

Let her do it. When you allow some of the easy stuff, it is easier to put your foot down on the big stuff--like lip piercing, tattoos, etc. I even went with my two teenage daughters and got it done with them. Now I am the cool Mom and all the kids listen to me when I say something is not cool or not responsible.