Reviewed guide

What Should Parents Do While Their Child Gets Their Ears Pierced?

The short answer

The children’s piercing room is a family room, large enough for the child and family. Before the piercing begins, confirm which ear the piercer will work on first, then position yourself on the OPPOSITE side of the child from the ear being worked on — this leaves the piercer’s working side clear while you hold your child’s hand and speak calmly. When the piercer changes ears, adjust so the working side is clear again. Do not try to distract the child; let them engage with the piercer.

Sit opposite the working ear, hold their hand, stay calm — and let the piercer talk with your child.

For parents

Where you sit is not a detail — it is part of the procedure. Here is the exact Tribal process.

The family room

The children’s piercing room is a family room.
It is intentionally large enough to comfortably accommodate the child and family.

The exact positioning procedure

1. Before the piercing begins, the parent should ask and confirm which ear the piercer is going to work on first.
2. The parent positions themselves on the opposite side of the child from the ear the piercer is currently working on.

Example: if the piercer is working on the child’s right ear, the parent sits or stands on the child’s left side — and the reverse for the left ear.

3. This leaves the piercer’s working side clear.
4. From the opposite side, the parent can hold the child’s hand.
5. The parent can speak calmly and provide reassurance.
6. When the piercer changes ears, positioning adjusts so the piercer again has clear access to the working side.

Do not distract the child

Keith does not prefer parents intentionally distracting the child — no clapping, sudden noises, “look over here!”, competing instructions, or tricks about when the piercing is happening.

Reason: Tribal’s children’s piercers have developed a calm, direct manner of walking children through the procedure. The child should be allowed to engage with the piercer — too many competing voices interfere with that process.

Speak directly to the child

One of the special elements of the experience: for some children this may be one of the first times a professional speaks directly to them, explains a real procedure, listens to their questions, and treats their decisions seriously. The child is spoken to directly, respectfully, and honestly.

When we want to see you

Unsure about any part of the room setup? Ask at the appointment — the piercer will walk you through it.