“But all the kids are doing it!” It’s not the best argument to use when asking your mom or dad if you can get your belly button pierced. Another statement you might want to steer clear of is “belly button rings are sexy”… especially if you’re only 12 years old. Your parents are not ready to see you as a sexual being, not at 12 or 32 either. It’s not just an age thing. You are his girl and no matter how old you are, you will always be his girl.
So what can you do to convince your parents to approve of a belly button piercing so you can get the hottest newest belly button rings on the market? Approach the whole thing like an adult. Discuss the pros and cons of belly button piercings and show them the most conservative belly button rings that are age appropriate. Make them your advocates and give them the facts so they don’t worry about you.
The biggest risk of getting a belly piercing is the risk of infection. Piercing guns cannot be sterilized unless they have removable needles. Because of this, your most important research point is to find an experienced drill shop that uses clean equipment. How did you find them? Ask your friends and then call the store directly. Narrow your list down to the best three or five options, and then ask your parents to make the final decision.
The next order of business is to understand the cleaning process. If your piercing is not kept clean, or if you have a reaction to the materials used in the belly button rings you choose, you may get an infection. Know the difference between a “normal” recovery and an infected piercing. To reassure your parents that you are ready for this responsibility, demonstrate great hygiene in all other areas of your body: hair, face, nails. Cleaning your room couldn’t hurt either! Become the queen of cleaning.
Finally, find some photos of women wearing belly button rings that your parents aren’t afraid of. There can be a huge moral stigma attached to this type of piercing. Put them at ease by showing them some classy celebrities who have belly button rings. When you approach them with the facts and show that you are ready for the responsibility, you will have a better chance of getting them to agree to the piercing. Don’t throw a teen tantrum if she still tells you no. Just tell them, “I respect your decision, but please keep an open mind and think about it for a while.”
If all else fails, you may need to wait until you are of an age where parental consent is not needed. But then again, some things are worth the wait.