I have been around the block a few times when it comes to unsolicited parenting advice. How to feed the baby, how to get the baby to sleep, how to handle biting, attitudes, the best ways to play with my children and of course, potty training tips. I haven't heard it all, but I've heard a lot. Most of the time, I take this advice with a grain of salt. Today, however, I was rubbed the wrong way for the last time regarding my child's (or children's) hair. So please allow me to explain MY choice in the style of MY child's hair. If you know my children at all, you know they have long hair. They have beautiful hair. Yes, I realize they are boys.
Today, after happily sharing a picture of Liam, I was told by an older female colleague that I "should cut that child's hair. He looks like a girl and you will ruin him if you keep it long like that."
Bless her heart.
Had I not been in my professional setting, here is what I would have said to her:
A) He's my child. The way his hair is cut (or not cut) is determined by the choices of him, his father and me.
As if the above explanation is not sufficient...
B) I choose to raise my children to be individuals. Style themselves, choose their own clothes, choose their shoes, choose their hair style, etc...if they wish. Ryan decided to have his hair cut over the summer. Up until that point in his life, he had blatantly told me he wanted his hair long.
C) Liam requires a headlock to brush his teeth. Do you really think he'll sit long enough to cut his hair? Go ahead... give it a try. But, if you cut my son's ear off... well, eye for an eye.
D) Finally, look around you... the world is changing. It's not 1950. My sons can be and will be accepted just as they are. If you are shallow enough to think that my 5 and 3 year olds will develop a complex because they choose to go against the mainstream, I feel even worse for you than I did prior to your ignorant comment. The only complex they will have is the one created by moronic, judgemental, fools like yourself.
Stop comparing people to your own definition of normal. Normal is relative, folks. My children are happy, healthy, smart, loving and beautiful little boys. Their hair is just a part of them on the outside. Stop making it more than that.
