(Thanks to BlogHer PicApp for this picture of how my son might look at the end of the week.)
Back me up on this…there’s a few hills you don’t want to die on. Right? As parents of these two yeah-whos we find ourselves a few days before a battle and are trying to plan our stratagy accordingly.
The foe? Hair dye. Not just any hair dye, crimson and black. And not just any kid…W. Remember out of the two he is the responsible–good American. He may never have a wild and crazy day in his life if it wasn’t for his brother, Deputy Barney. W wants to play rock and roll instead of bluegrass, which is fine. Really! I wrote more about the rebellion here. Where I promised he could get his first tattoo at 18 and after his first paid gig. He was excited.
Now, since he can play Smoke On The Water and Barracuda he asked (very respectfully I might add) to color his brown hair red and black hair because he band’s name is Ghost Killers. Black for the ghost part and red for the killer-blood part. I say go for it W, with high hopes all of his friends will disown him and/or call him weird until it grows out, then quickly rush back to his side.
Ben is gong along with this (against his better judgement probably) adding…”but I want to go to school with you the first day after you do it, to hear what your friends say.”
So we’ve warned and explained the possible consequences and are now down to the chips falling where they may. He is convinced it’s going to look cool. I’m convinced I’m going to look cool when he gets humiliated and refuses to do anything strange in High School. (Yeah, right. I know, but dang-it, this is my pipe dream…let me tell it.)
So friends, Romans, countrymen…what would you do if your 10 year old wanted red-red and black-black permanent hair dye? Would you put your foot down, say no and dye die on that hill? Or say yes, let me help you with that and live to fight another day?
Comment below and tell me what you would do.
Simply,
Sis
Tags: boys, boys will be boys, bringing up boys, child rearing, dyeing kids hair, hair dye, parenting advice wanted, parenting advise, raising boys
In all honesty, when my kids were the ages of yours I would not have allowed them to do something like this that might cause them discomfort that they were not ready to deal with and cause me much embarrassment in the community. With the wisdom and hindsight that comes with being 60 though, I believe that making such a strong decision about his person at such a young age is the perfect timing for perhaps experiencing discomfort and embarrassing one’s parents. I would encourage my daughter and SIL to allow it if their ten year old, even the eight year old, wanted to do something similar…it’s only hair dye, nothing permanent, and there is personal growth to be achieved, lessons to be learned.
This is a tough one. Kind of bazaar, but no more so than girls wanting their ears pierced so they can wear earrings as big as trash can lids, I guess. Ask him what he would think of a friend who did this. Would he think it weird or cool and would anyone make fun of it. Kids can crush an ego pretty quickly. Also ask him if he would be comfortable wearing it everywhere and around everyone (including his Grandma and his toughest teacher) and in any situation. Kids only seem to think as far ahead as the next day at school. Fads come and go and we all certainly have our share of stories and it’s hard to keep kids from wanting to express themselves. At least he can grow this one out and cut if off if it doesn’t work out. I can’t wait to hear how this turns out.
Monny
Hey gals…I truely value your opinions, especially since you have your families raised and can look back and say…I wish I would have…whatever. With that in mind.
Monny~it is tough. And we have gone through every possible thing that might happen. But he is persisting and I feel like you have to love your kids enough to let them decide for themselves (sometimes) on small things. So when they get to the BIG things, tell will know how to think it through.
Bev~bless your heart, my folks, like you wouldn’t have let us do this for all the love or money. Never! That is exactly why I posed this question, to hear what you might do now. And about that community. Ben and I are in the public eye a lot in this small town. So I feel like we should lead by example. But sometimes I think you just have to let go and help kids pick up the pieces later.
Priceless thoughtful tidbits, gals. I loved them. Thanks for sharing.
Sis
I think it’s a small hill this time there will be bigger ones to climb. I can’t wait to see how it looks when he comes to school!
I say let him give it a try – summer is coming and there is nothing wrong with a shaved head on a boy!!! It will be a great memory for the whole family.
NA
I would say “no way!”…or “not until you’re 13!”…or “how about we try a temporary color over summer vacation…and if you really like it…then we’ll reconsider at that point.” That’s a tough one! Darn kids…where DO they get this rebellions from? Ahem….
LOLLLLLLL – just wait till you have teenagers – my two have turned my hair gray so I am needing some DYE myself! And to think I have 3 more to GO ! Yepppeee for me!
Let him do it – you do a good shave/ flat top anyway and summer is coming!