Updated: Dec. 21, 2020
Originally Published: Dec. 3, 2016
My 5-year-old daughter is a bundle of creativity. That’s just a polite way of saying she has an incredible talent for turning our living room into a craft explosion with glue, paper, and whatever else she finds in the recycling bin. She also has a love for all things muddy, which means cleaning is practically a full-time job for me. But hey, creativity!
Lately, she became obsessed with the idea of short hair after spotting a girl in her gymnastics class sporting a super cute bob. After weeks of her pleading, I finally caved and made an appointment for her big haircut. But guess what? When she sat in the salon chair, surrounded by toys and watching Tom and Jerry, she casually announced that she actually wanted to keep her long hair. Like it was no big deal. I nearly collapsed into a display of sparkly hair accessories!
No worries, though. A girl can change her mind, right? So, we opted for a trim. But as fate would have it, I have a very imaginative child who suddenly decided that maybe, just maybe, scissors were a good idea. My sister even warned me, “You know she’ll probably try to cut it herself.” I dismissed it, thinking, “She’s only 5; she knows better.” Right?
On the fateful morning, my daughter was unusually quiet. I was proud of her independence, busy getting things done while she was “crafting.” But as we sat down for lunch, I noticed her hair was oddly swept forward, hiding something beneath. When I pushed it behind her ear, I realized she had created her own bangs that started in the middle of her head and curved dramatically—definitely not where bangs should be!
I could tell from her expression that she knew my reaction was about to change everything.
Now, while I’m not overly attached to my child’s hair, the shock of the situation made me react in ways I’m not particularly proud of. So, if you find yourself in a similar pickle, here are some wise do’s and don’ts:
Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t: Go into full-blown shock, flailing your arms and repeating “Why?” over and over. This will send your child running to hide, and then you can’t express your feelings anymore.
Do: Calmly ask, “What made you cut your hair?” and really listen to their answer instead of curling up on the floor.
Don’t: Lose it and declare that your child will never touch scissors again, then proceed to hide them in a fit of rage. You might forget where you stashed them.
Do: Act like a mature adult and discuss what happened, suggesting more appropriate outlets for their creativity. Plus, explain why professional haircuts are the way to go.
Don’t: Dwell on the family photos scheduled for next week that you’ve already paid for. Seriously, just don’t think about it.
Do: Shoot a text to your partner (if they’re more chill about your child’s “creativity”) seeking some calming advice. Mine replied with, “Breathe.” That was helpful!
Don’t: Sob over the trash can as you sift through the clumps of hair, or consider hair extensions as a long-term solution.
Do: Stock up on barrettes and let it go, reminding yourself repeatedly, “It’s just hair. It’s just hair. It’s. Just. Hair.”
I’ll leave it to your imagination how gracefully I handled the whole scenario. Just know that I hope you manage it better than I did. And never underestimate the inventive spirit of your child!
By the way, if you’re looking for more parenting tips, check out our other blogs here.
Summary
Handling a child’s spontaneous haircut can be a challenge. Instead of panicking, respond calmly and encourage creative expression in a safer way. Remember, it’s just hair, and it can always grow back!