Kids and Clippers: Moms Talk Discusses Kids' Haircuts

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions.

Our conversation starts today with a question that most parents face eventually:

"How should you deal with your child if you disagree with how he or she wants to cut his or her hair?"

Alicia Botticelli-Tarasuk:

I have never had this issue what so ever; I am very lucky.

Neither of my children give me a hard time about what they wear, or how their hair is, or anything.

Last summer though, my son did ask for a Mohawk. I laughed until I realized he was very serious.

I said “no way.” He was sad, but then we made a little deal.  Since he only gets wiffles from my husband or I, I said I would give him a Mohawk and he could keep it for one whole day. That made him happy, and it made me even happier when I bussed it off. 

My daughter has had long hair, down to her bottom, since she was 4.  We both loved the long hair but it was really becoming a lot of work for the both of us—the washing and brushing and un tangling.  So I had my sister (who is a hair dresser) cut it to the top of her shoulders. She was sad at first, but when she realized the ease of washing and styling it, she was thrilled. I am sure down the line someone will want pink hair or a crazy cut but I hope not.  Right now, they are just fine with what mom wants. Thank goodness.

Erin Calvo-Bacci:

My sister-in-law (who happens to be a hair stylist) and I talk about how we were raised and the emphasis on manners. My family came from Everett and Malden, hers came from Brighton and we both heard at the table from our Grandmothers “what if you were having dinner with the Queen?”—which translated to “use your best manners.”  I look at hair styles and appearance the same; you always want to look your best.

Back when the alternative radio station FNX was first introduced, I was hooked! I was in drama, hung out with “punk” kids and will never forget while in college one of my friends with multiple piercings and a partially shaved head asked me why I didn’t dress more “punk”. My response was, “because I need my job.”

I was nineteen and worked at the Banana Republic clothing store. I loved my job because I was an excellent sales person and through all my retail jobs I paid for college. My appearance and mannerism made a difference in finding the jobs I had, and that’s my message to my daughters. They can be free to express themselves, but at some point, they’ll have to dress and wear their hair in a suitable manner for a job and their grandparents.

I did, however, once shave the back of my head, but you would only see it if I pulled my hair up. One time my Grandmother saw this. She was not happy.

Meghan Cogswell:

For the most part, I let my daughter and son have their hair the way they want. 

My daughter likes to keep her hair long and I like it shorter.  However, I have decided that this is one of those battles I can choose not to have. 

During the summer, I can sometimes convince her to cut it shorter as it makes it easier to take care of with all the swimming they do.

I also tell her that if she wants it longer then she is going to have to take care of it.  Her hair is kind of wavy. So, if she does not keep it brushed or up, it can tend to look messy. So, that is our deal.  If she keeps it neat, then she can wear it however she wants. 

As for my son, he is much easier.  He wanted to grow it out a bit, and I let him. It actually looked kind of cute. But, now for the summer, we went back to short.  I think haircuts for the most part are part of the kid’s individuality. So, you want them to be who they are and feel comfortable with it. Although, that is easy for me to say since my kids aren't the ones asking to dye their hair six different colors.