If you're thinking about taking your child to the spa, you're not alone. Spas are increasingly catering to smaller and younger clientele. Falling into the same parenting category as wearing makeup or getting your daughter's ears pierced, you may find yourself somewhat unexpectedly deciding when your daughter should have her first visit to the spa.
Time Frame
Check with the spa about its age ranges for treatments. While some spas allow younger children to have pedicures and manicures, most spas reserve other treatments for children age 13 and over. Also, some spas offer kids' services at specific hours to ensure their adult clients can enjoy the spa without kids intruding. There are some spas that focus specifically on kids' treatments and provide service only to clients in the school-aged set.
Types
Manicures and pedicures are typically offered to almost any age or gender. Body scrubs, body wraps and massages, however, are not typically available to young kids. Facials, especially those that treat acne, are often geared specifically to kids in the "tween" to teen age range, though facials for younger kids may also be available.
Benefits
Getting a good manicure or pedicure can help kids learn about appropriate health practices and may encourage children to stop biting their nails. In addition, a trained esthetician can help your child better understand what is happening with her skin and suggest products that can help manage any changes that may be occurring. For older kids, an afternoon of treatments can also help manage the stressful environment that they may be experiencing as they enter into the competitive world of academics and athletics. Also, for parents, it can be an opportunity to bond and indulge together.
Warning
Psychologists suggest that the spa experience may not always be positive. Make sure the spa is a treat, not a regular habit, as it sends a message about where to spend your money and what your family values. Be wary of placing too much attention on the maintenance of your child's physical appearance, as the childhood and teen years are dynamic for most children, who are dealing with changing bodies and societal attitudes.
Effects
Spa treatments don't happen only in the spa. The expansion of spa services to kids means that children can also explore the science behind some of the treatments to better understand how and why the treatments are created. Some educational toy makers now offer science kits that are geared to girls, creating spa products and elixirs.
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