Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.
Girls have been sneaking makeup past parents for generations. They'll wait to get to school to put it on, and wipe it clean away before they dare step back in the house. It's an issue that's not likely to go away any time soon. That got us wondering when girls should be able to stop sneaking around and openly wear makeup.
At what age is it appropriate for girls to start wearing makeup?
Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.
Matthew Browne: I don't think there is a particular age. The way I see it, teach them self respect when it comes to looks. Makeup is something I've always seen as a privilege earned once a certain level of maturity and responsibility is shown by the child. If you can see those things in your child, and you think she can handle herself without being too easily influenced by today's destructive social media, then she is ready. If your child is one of those girls who follows up on every celebrity trend and worries too much about being the popular girl in school, then maybe she needs to wait awhile longer. — Batavia Patch Facebook
Cheryl Moss: Letting her experiment is a great way to help her not go overbored when shes in public. Also its important mom interacts with her when it comes to make up. Youtube is a great learning tool for mom and daughter fun. As far as age, most girls start around their first dance. — Elmhurst Patch Facebook
Susie Richter Adams: I would say 7th or 8th grade....Only mascara maybe a little blush and lip gloss. Nothing heavy. Teaching them to take care of their skin before puberty is probably more important. — Geneva Patch Facebook
Stephanie Webber: High school. — Lisle Patch Facebook
Karyn McGuire Kudrna: Depends on the girl. 14ish. — Naperville Patch Facebook
Tracy Paddy: Depends. I think they need to experiment with it at home before heading out of the house. Lip balm or glass in middle school, some mascara if they like that. The other things like eye liner can begin in high school. — St. Charles Patch Facebook
Sue Stozek Mayeda: 12, if they are resposible enought to remove it at night also. — Wheaton Patch Facebook
