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The hair dilemma

Baby Boy has demonstrated to me that my hair is officially too long for mommyhood (he grabs fistfuls of it and tries to eat it), and I have to do something. The question is, what do I do?

Ever since I grew out my bangs as a teenager, my hairstyle has been pretty much the same – cut to all one length, use hot rollers to control the frizz that is the curse of my Japanese side. The result has been loose curls/waves for years, and every once in a while I get my hair cut really short. It kind of irks my mother, since she likes my hair longer, but my dad seems to like it short, and so does the Webmaster.

However, using hot rollers all the time is not really convenient for mommyhood. While sometimes it isn’t so bad (my curlers can be in while I’m getting the kids fed and dressed, and then I pull them out right before we need to leave), it is definitely not a “wash-and-go” style. And as a busy mommy, I kind of need the “wash-and-go” look right now. The problem is, my hair doesn’t lend itself to washing and going. If it air dries, I have major frizz issues. I have no time to blow dry it, and I usually shower and wash my hair at night, so that I can have peace and quiet and not have a little head poking itself into the shower and saying, “Mommy, wat you doing?” She does this. Ask her father.

So, I just might need a new cut/style. I’m not fond of layers, and I don’t want a haircut that makes me look too boyish. The Webmaster’s not hot on me cutting bangs again, and truthfully, neither am I. I could just prolong the whole thing by just getting it trimmed again and at least keeping it out of Baby Boy’s reach, but here’s another wrench in the works.

I have wanted to donate hair to some organization like Locks of Love for years now, but my hair has never been long enough at the right time, plus I’ve been pregnant, had children who tried (and are still attempting) to pull my hair out by its roots, been post-partum and shedding like a puppy in summer. Now that my post-pregnancy hair loss has stopped again, and I haven’t gotten a haircut since the week before Baby Boy was born (so we’re coming up on eight months here), if I got my hair cut off right at the nape of my neck at this very moment, the ponytail would be six inches long. To donate to Locks of Love, it needs to be twelve inches.

$%#*^$#%!!!

So, what should I do? I have a child who wants to eat my hair, and one who love to “brush” it (I’m usually getting hit in the head with the hairbrush). I’m halfway to the required length to donate it. And in the meantime, I have a high-maintenance mop on my head that I find little time for anymore. Do I perservere and keep on growing? Do I give in and just get a trim? Or to I change my look up completely with a new hairstyle to keep it out of my children’s grasp?

I know you’ve got opinions out there. Don’t lie to me. Speak up. I promise to listen.

And a couple highlights from the kids:
The Munchkin used the potty FOUR times yesterday, plus one of those times was at Bachan’s house – not at home! Woo-hoo!!

Baby Boy is doing the babbling consonant-vowel thing. When he’s happy, it’s “da da da da”. When he’s crying, it’s “ma ma ma ma”. I tried getting him to say “mama” while he was happy. “Say mama, say mama,” I coaxed.
The kid looked me dead in the eye. “Da-da.”
The ungrateful little…

6 Responses to “The hair dilemma”

  1. Little Cousin's Mommy
    March 31st, 2006 06:11
    1

    Well, you have a few options with your hair but your dilemma limits it to only a few.

    Like you said, one option is just chop to your regular “short” cut – which is technically medium because the hair still touches your shoulders, or is only an inch higher.

    Another option, again no surprise here, is to grin and bear it until you can do the 12-inch ponytail. If you go that route, you may have to stick to ponytails for a while to keep it out of Baby Boy’s reach.

    Third, I know you say you do not like layers, but I think your visualization of layers is the shaggy, choppy, Meg Ryan look that I never liked and would not look good on you. Layers can be subtly done to add shape and bounce to hair, if done by the right person. A few long layers to a shoulder-length cut or your current length (minus trim) would look good on you. Layers would certainly update your look. You have natural wave – which is very desirable now. Waves are natural, soft and romantic. Look at the photos from the award season that just past – waves!

    Also, styling products are essential for the frizz. Even people who have the “wash and go” hair type and cut usually have to run something through damp hair. For you, look for something designed to tame frizz, add shine and manageability. Nearly every hair care line has a silicon serum now that can accomplish that, just use a little amount because too much can be greasy. If you do not want to experiment with a serum, look for a more foolproof product with words like “cream,” “lotion,” or “polishing milk” in the name. These will give your natural waves a soft, even texture to manage while calming frizz. Gel, mousse, or anything that reads “firm” or “strong hold” should be avoided for your hair; the result would be stiff, crunchy strands or unnecessary volume.

    Here are a few tips when getting your haircut: Flip magazines for pictures to show whoever ends up cutting your hair what you like. That way there will be no misunderstandings about what you do and do not want. The waiting room typically has hair books, catalogues, and magazines that can help you, but it is best to come prepared.

    Do not let the stylist go near your hair with thinning shears or a straight razor – THEY ARE BAD FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE!!!

    If you do not like it, say something immediately to the stylist or front desk. Their goal is to make you happy. Nevertheless, remember it is hair and if you hate the cut, it will grow back, eventually.

  2. Linda
    March 31st, 2006 08:45
    2

    Wow! Deanna, Elizabeth said it all!!!
    All Mom’s, I think, have met this dilemma at one time or another! I chose to have a really short ‘do’ and it worked very well when Cassondra was a baby and for work!
    You could always consider a little older ‘do’ like Grandma Woody’s 1960’s French twist! Just kidding! You will be beautiful no matter what the style is!

  3. Mormondaddy
    March 31st, 2006 09:21
    3

    My mom had really short hair while she was raising us kids. She didn’t grow it back out until we were all grown. She probably had it cut short for 10-15 yrs.

    Personally, I think short hair is a good idea. After all, it works for me!

  4. Handy Girl
    March 31st, 2006 16:41
    4

    I must be in a slightly evil mood today to feel the need to brag about MY last donation to Locks of Love. I gave a 21″ ponytail (a personal best), so there! And I still had enough hair left to barely get it into a very stupid looking stubby ponytail. Of course that was after 3 rounds of IVF and many thousands of $$ of fertility drugs. But you have two of the cutest kids I have ever seen, and I still have none, so I have to brag about something! 🙂 If you want to go look at haircut catalogs sometime, I’ll go with you…

    PS: I think Locks of Love only requires a 10″ donation, not 12″. So you are more than half way there.

  5. Oddball
    March 31st, 2006 19:28
    5

    There’s always a high-and-tight.

  6. Deanna
    March 31st, 2006 21:38
    6

    Handy Girl is indeed correct – the required donation is 10 inches. Well, this puts a new spin on things, doesn’t it?