My Kiddo was known for his long hair.
He attended preschool at the local high school’s early education program. While causing all the little teen girls to swoon over him, he noticed how all the “cool” older boys wore long, shaggy locks. He asked to grow his out. Okay, fine with me. I came of age in the grunge generation, and have no problem with guys with longer hair. So, Kiddo grew his hair out at age four.
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| age 5 |
We received no end of flack for his long hair over the years. Some friends and family of the older generation gently teased him. One relative flat out called him a girl and added an “a” to the end of his name (making it sound like a weird, yet feminine name). But he learned to stand up for himself, and the hair stayed.
Until yesterday.
And it was an accident.
He and I both needed a hair trim. Being frugal and not wanting to go far, I patronize a local chain hair salon (okay, “salon” is rather too generous) once every few months when I get a coupon. Since Kiddo’s hair was long, he could go months without a cut no problem, and I’d just trim his bangs and maybe the back every two months or so — basically when he couldn’t see anymore. Easy-peasy.
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| Back in December before I gave him a quick home trim. |
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| No, he didn’t actually wear it like this. |
Yesterday, while enjoying a long day off from school, we went for trims.
I went first. I just had an inch trimmed off an a little layering. No problem. We both chatted with the stylist. Kiddo popped up into the chair. I explained where his bangs needed to go and showed her about an inch, inch-and-a-half that needed to come off the back.
“Layered?” she asked.
“Sure,” I said. Layering is why I actually took him to get his hair cut. I trimmed it myself for years, but I couldn’t get those dang long layers just right.
She cut the bangs and trimmed up the back first. All seemed fine. I flipped through my magazine. When I looked up just a minute later, she was cutting layers. Up at the crown of his head. And inches of hair dropped to the floor. I bit back a gasp. (Never startle a woman holding scissors.)
It was too late anyway.
His long locks were gone, strewn across the salon floor.
Kiddo now has — a short shag? I’m not sure what you’d call it. It’s not a buzz cut. But it’s NOT LONG.
He looked slightly shell-shocked when he studied himself in the mirror at home. I was too. But I assured him he looked great, very handsome, and it was good to shake things up every now and then.
“You look like one of the guys on those Nick and Disney shows you watch,” I said.
“Which one?” His eyes narrowed, his suspicions rose off of each two-inch hair.
“You know, the cool-looking one. . .” They all look the same to me.
At the playground, I could barely pick him out of the mass of boys tearing around. His hair had been so distinctive, now it just blended in with the crowd.
I went so far as to call the Hubby and warn him. He had long hair until his late 20’s and now totally lived vicariously through his son. I reminded him to be supportive.
This morning, Kiddo climbed into bed and told me how he really didn’t like his hair. I reassured him again, but I can’t blame him. Our hair is a vital part of our self-image, our character, what makes us US. And it’s rather startling to loose it in one fell swoop.
I miss it too.
It’ll grow back, right?
I babysat bi-racial twin boys several years ago and I must admit, I nearly cried when their parents got their hair cut for the first time. I loved those fluffy little heads!! It was heartbreaking to me. They looked adorable with their short hair despite my reservations.
I'm sure your son looks great & the best part about hair, it grows back!
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My boy loves his hair and has fought all the male members of the family to grow it out. He has super curly hair and it seems to grow up instead of down but it's getting longer. I support his right to keep his hair as he likes. The only thing I fight him on is conditioner – the longer it is the more it needs to be babied.
Oh no, poor kiddo! As the saying goes — it's hair, it will grow back (hopefully very soon!). I have hair envy of your kid. E. has never had a lot of hair. Only recently has it started coming in more. But I used to fight for every little strand and long segment, only to have hairdressers lop them off to "make it even." I suppose they were right, but I resented it and also went salon shopping quite a bit until I found someone to listen to me!
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I'm crazy about my son's hair, so I can't imagine how I'll be with my daughter. I am so against the buzz cut, so my kid has a nice (and kinda expensive) boy cut. I would freak. You're taking it so well. It will grow back, though. ::sigh::
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It'll grow back. My oldest has grown her hair for locks of love. She's almost there and we're getting it cut March 6th. I'm not sad because getting her to brush her long hair has been a NIGHTMARE! But I'm sure I'll be sad when it happens.
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Actually, I also like little boys with long hair because they really look cute most especially if their hair is blond and shaggy. I hope your kid will be able to keep a neat and clean look with his long hair.
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Awww yes it will grow back. I remember when my son had his hair long too. It was perfect curls – so hard to tame – but it was perfect almost like Sherly Temple like that most people used to think he's a girl back then. I cried when we decided to cut his hair off. I still miss his long hair but I'm sure your son is as handsome as he can be 🙂
Awww yes it will grow back. I remember when my son had his hair long too. It was perfect curls – so hard to tame – but it was perfect almost like Sherly Temple like that most people used to think he's a girl back then. I cried when we decided to cut his hair off. I still miss his long hair but I'm sure your son is as handsome as he can be 🙂
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I love the long hair…I wish my son could get his hair like that but he has too many cowlicks! Boy's hair does grow so quickly!
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It will grow back! My son has crazy curls so I'm hoping to keep his hair long for awhile too!
Oh, it's so hard to have a haircut you don't want. Poor guy. I bet he will always be sympathetic to others now when it happens, though, and his future significant others will be grateful. Yes, it will grow back, and I hope he won't be bummed for too long.
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Poor guy, it will grow back and hopefully quickly.
I have anxiety with each trip the "kids salon" for my daughter. While I have no problem chopping off my own locks, I'm terrified that they'll clip it too short! Only good thing, like the others said, it grows back!
Good for your daughter.I envy her ability to grow her locks so long and donate them.
Oh, LOVE the little boy curls!
Actually, cowlicks are one of the reasons I let him grow it out in the first place. He has a wicked double right at the back of his head, and once it grew long enough, it FINALLY laid flat. And yes, it does grow quickly.
Buzz cuts, while cute on some kids, OTHER's kids, scare me to death.
I might have to ask you for some salon advice!
Oh, I can imagine those gorgeous curls! We learn to accept the new looks, as the kiddos will too.
Oh, man! He's so darn cute. It grows back!
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Oh Poor Baby. I can't imagine the shock.
My son has beautiful curly red hair that he used to wear long until he was about 7 years old and decided that he wanted short hair.
I really want that long hair back, but I figure at some point during his teen years he will decide to grow it out again. I hope!
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Oh no! the good thing with boys who like it long is that it will grow back quickly!
What a heartfelt story! It’s clear how much Kiddo’s long hair meant to him, especially after years of proudly growing it out and standing up to those who teased him. The sudden change must be tough, but your reassurance and support will definitely help him adjust to the new look.
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