Parents with daughters with long hair...

[Anonymous]

My mom made me cut my hair very short (a "boy" haircut) because she didn't want to look at messy hair ever. I was mistaken for a boy all the time and teased relentlessly. I went back and read my diary at one point and I have many many entries about how awful I felt about my looks, and how I would never be able to date. I honestly think contributed (with other things) to terrible self esteem that led me into some very bad decisions down the road. My daughters get to pick how they want to wear their hair and I am pleased to comb out, braid, or do whatever they want.... even helped dye my 6 yo blond hair blue when that's what she wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I let my 7 yo brush and style hers most mornings, sometimes I step in to help or re-do. I also braid it for her after a shower: if she sleeps in braids it's pretty manageable the next day.

I had my parents french braid mine through high school, because I never learned to french braid my own (can do others). When I moved out I switched to other styles, and eventually got it cut.

Omg, this is so embarrassing. Please never tell anyone this ever again.

Different poster, but why? There's no shame in this. Cut it out.

Of course there is! By high school, one should be fully capable of taking care of one’s own grooming. If she was unable to style her hair herself, she should have cut it. It’s quite obvious by her next sentence—once mommy and daddy weren’t around to braid it for her, she switched things up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing more pathetic than a poor little girl with long stringy hair she can’t handle.

I try. I send it braided or pulled back in the morning and somehow she looks like the girl from the Ring by lunchtime...

That sounds like my hair as a kid. My mom had wavy textured hair and mine is slippery, strong and straight. She tried but it always slipped out of anything she did. I thought she was just bad at hair until I got a dd with my kind of hair. Even friends that are great at hair cannot style dd's hair in a way that won't bust out.

[Anonymous]

The person criticizing the woman who had her hair braided as a high schooler clearly doesn’t understand the intricacies of french braiding (and more difficult styles)! Not only can’t many people handle the braiding—which is why there are people who offer the service at festival and the like—but not everyone has the dexterity.

To this day, I occasionally french braid my daughter’s hair. She’s 34.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom made me cut my hair very short (a "boy" haircut) because she didn't want to look at messy hair ever. I was mistaken for a boy all the time and teased relentlessly. I went back and read my diary at one point and I have many many entries about how awful I felt about my looks, and how I would never be able to date. I honestly think contributed (with other things) to terrible self esteem that led me into some very bad decisions down the road. My daughters get to pick how they want to wear their hair and I am pleased to comb out, braid, or do whatever they want.... even helped dye my 6 yo blond hair blue when that's what she wanted.

Opposite story, same outcome ...

My dad would never let me cut my hair because he liked it long. I cut it myself once around age 3 or 4, and had my grandmother (his mom) take me for a haircut when I was staying with her for the summer at age 9 or so. I hated that he wouldn't let me do what I wanted with my own hair.

I have two girls, and I told them they could wear their hair however they like. They've run the gamut from pixie to waist length. I do suggest to my 11 yo DD that she take 6 inches or so off of her very long, thick, wavy hair because she doesn't like me to help and can't quite manage it herself, but I don't force her to cut it beyond a yearly trim to keep it healthy. She mostly does it herself, and I step in and comb it periodically if I see dreads forming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The person criticizing the woman who had her hair braided as a high schooler clearly doesn’t understand the intricacies of french braiding (and more difficult styles)! Not only can’t many people handle the braiding—which is why there are people who offer the service at festival and the like—but not everyone has the dexterity.

To this day, I occasionally french braid my daughter’s hair. She’s 34.

Yes, even if you can do braiding, it's different doing it on your own head (reaching behind yourself and not being able to see). I braid my DD's hair and sometimes she braids mine (shes 10). It feels nice to have someone do your hair. Yes, we are like monkeys grooming each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought it was so sweet to hear about the poster who had her hair braided by her parents in HS! I love it.

Me too. One of my strongest memories in middle school was a neighbors mom helping her do her hair. I wished my mom loved me enough to help me with my hair before going out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom made me cut my hair very short (a "boy" haircut) because she didn't want to look at messy hair ever. I was mistaken for a boy all the time and teased relentlessly. I went back and read my diary at one point and I have many many entries about how awful I felt about my looks, and how I would never be able to date. I honestly think contributed (with other things) to terrible self esteem that led me into some very bad decisions down the road. My daughters get to pick how they want to wear their hair and I am pleased to comb out, braid, or do whatever they want.... even helped dye my 6 yo blond hair blue when that's what she wanted.

Opposite story, same outcome ...

My dad would never let me cut my hair because he liked it long. I cut it myself once around age 3 or 4, and had my grandmother (his mom) take me for a haircut when I was staying with her for the summer at age 9 or so. I hated that he wouldn't let me do what I wanted with my own hair.

I have two girls, and I told them they could wear their hair however they like. They've run the gamut from pixie to waist length. I do suggest to my 11 yo DD that she take 6 inches or so off of her very long, thick, wavy hair because she doesn't like me to help and can't quite manage it herself, but I don't force her to cut it beyond a yearly trim to keep it healthy. She mostly does it herself, and I step in and comb it periodically if I see dreads forming.

Yes, definitely. I also have two girls and I let them wear their hair how they like, although I do hold firm on making sure it’s washed a few times a week and is brushed daily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom made me cut my hair very short (a "boy" haircut) because she didn't want to look at messy hair ever. I was mistaken for a boy all the time and teased relentlessly. I went back and read my diary at one point and I have many many entries about how awful I felt about my looks, and how I would never be able to date. I honestly think contributed (with other things) to terrible self esteem that led me into some very bad decisions down the road. My daughters get to pick how they want to wear their hair and I am pleased to comb out, braid, or do whatever they want.... even helped dye my 6 yo blond hair blue when that's what she wanted.

Opposite story, same outcome ...

My dad would never let me cut my hair because he liked it long. I cut it myself once around age 3 or 4, and had my grandmother (his mom) take me for a haircut when I was staying with her for the summer at age 9 or so. I hated that he wouldn't let me do what I wanted with my own hair.

I have two girls, and I told them they could wear their hair however they like. They've run the gamut from pixie to waist length. I do suggest to my 11 yo DD that she take 6 inches or so off of her very long, thick, wavy hair because she doesn't like me to help and can't quite manage it herself, but I don't force her to cut it beyond a yearly trim to keep it healthy. She mostly does it herself, and I step in and comb it periodically if I see dreads forming.

Yes, definitely. I also have two girls and I let them wear their hair how they like, although I do hold firm on making sure it’s washed a few times a week and is brushed daily.

I assume your girls have straight, oily hair. Otherwise this is a terrible approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The person criticizing the woman who had her hair braided as a high schooler clearly doesn’t understand the intricacies of french braiding (and more difficult styles)! Not only can’t many people handle the braiding—which is why there are people who offer the service at festival and the like—but not everyone has the dexterity.

To this day, I occasionally french braid my daughter’s hair. She’s 34.

Yes, even if you can do braiding, it's different doing it on your own head (reaching behind yourself and not being able to see). I braid my DD's hair and sometimes she braids mine (shes 10). It feels nice to have someone do your hair. Yes, we are like monkeys grooming each other.

I agree. My mom used to French braid my hair all the time. I can do every type of braid on someone else’s hair but only a regular braid on my own. I’ve tried for years since I was a child and still cannot French braid my own hair. My mom would also ask me to French braid her hair sometimes before I went to school and she went to work. I see many people having to go get their hair braided by a professional or asking me to do it at my kids gymnastics meets so it’s not always easy even when it’s on someone else’s head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom made me cut my hair very short (a "boy" haircut) because she didn't want to look at messy hair ever. I was mistaken for a boy all the time and teased relentlessly. I went back and read my diary at one point and I have many many entries about how awful I felt about my looks, and how I would never be able to date. I honestly think contributed (with other things) to terrible self esteem that led me into some very bad decisions down the road. My daughters get to pick how they want to wear their hair and I am pleased to comb out, braid, or do whatever they want.... even helped dye my 6 yo blond hair blue when that's what she wanted.

Opposite story, same outcome ...

My dad would never let me cut my hair because he liked it long. I cut it myself once around age 3 or 4, and had my grandmother (his mom) take me for a haircut when I was staying with her for the summer at age 9 or so. I hated that he wouldn't let me do what I wanted with my own hair.

I have two girls, and I told them they could wear their hair however they like. They've run the gamut from pixie to waist length. I do suggest to my 11 yo DD that she take 6 inches or so off of her very long, thick, wavy hair because she doesn't like me to help and can't quite manage it herself, but I don't force her to cut it beyond a yearly trim to keep it healthy. She mostly does it herself, and I step in and comb it periodically if I see dreads forming.

Yes, definitely. I also have two girls and I let them wear their hair how they like, although I do hold firm on making sure it’s washed a few times a week and is brushed daily.

I assume your girls have straight, oily hair. Otherwise this is a terrible approach.

Most hair does not and should not be washed daily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The person criticizing the woman who had her hair braided as a high schooler clearly doesn’t understand the intricacies of french braiding (and more difficult styles)! Not only can’t many people handle the braiding—which is why there are people who offer the service at festival and the like—but not everyone has the dexterity.

To this day, I occasionally french braid my daughter’s hair. She’s 34.

Yes, even if you can do braiding, it's different doing it on your own head (reaching behind yourself and not being able to see). I braid my DD's hair and sometimes she braids mine (shes 10). It feels nice to have someone do your hair. Yes, we are like monkeys grooming each other.

I agree. My mom used to French braid my hair all the time. I can do every type of braid on someone else’s hair but only a regular braid on my own. I’ve tried for years since I was a child and still cannot French braid my own hair. My mom would also ask me to French braid her hair sometimes before I went to school and she went to work. I see many people having to go get their hair braided by a professional or asking me to do it at my kids gymnastics meets so it’s not always easy even when it’s on someone else’s head.

It’s fine once in a while for a special occasion. But if your go-to hairstyle is one that relies on someone else, time to find a new style.

[Anonymous]

Mine has wavy curls and wakes up with a rats nest. We have to spray with water, detangler then carefully comb through the tangles. She prefers to just try to brush on her own but it doesn’t do the trick. Her hair isn’t crazy long -it’s just the texture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I let my 7 yo brush and style hers most mornings, sometimes I step in to help or re-do. I also braid it for her after a shower: if she sleeps in braids it's pretty manageable the next day.

I had my parents french braid mine through high school, because I never learned to french braid my own (can do others). When I moved out I switched to other styles, and eventually got it cut.

Omg, this is so embarrassing. Please never tell anyone this ever again.

Wtf? You need to get a life. (NP here)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is nothing more pathetic than a poor little girl with long stringy hair she can’t handle.

I try. I send it braided or pulled back in the morning and somehow she looks like the girl from the Ring by lunchtime...

I have two like this and one whose hair always stays perfectly neat. My 4 year old's preschool teachers have taken to re-doing her hair mid-day.

Oh my god, my girls are exactly the same! Older child’s hair stays in a perfect ponytail all day. Four year old had to get bangs and definitely comes home with her hair in nicer ponytails than she left with, lol!