“But all the kids are doing it!” 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 stay away from 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, neither at 12 nor at 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 navel piercing so you can get the newest and hottest belly button rings on the market? Approach the whole thing like an adult. Discuss the pros and cons of navel piercings and show them the most conservative navel 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 point of inquiry 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 cleansing process. If your piercing isn’t kept clean, or if you have a reaction to the materials used in the navel rings you choose, you can 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 cleaning queen.

Finally, find some photos of women wearing navel earrings that your parents aren’t afraid of. There can be a great 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 them that you’re ready for the responsibility, you’ll have a better chance of getting them to accept the piercing. Don’t throw a teen tantrum if she still says no. Simply tell them, “I respect their 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.