The Importance of Hair
We have a number of friends whose families are inter-racial whether by adoption or simply biological. Amongst many of our conversations - HAIR seems to be of importance...especially amongst our friends whose children are black. We've personally never had any issues with hair in our family per se. As a matter of fact, Ben's hair couldn't be more similar to Matt's. Dark dark brown, extremely straight, and somewhat thick.
Ben's hair grows quickly! As a matter of fact when we saw our first picture of Ben he had a ton of hair (at birth). By the time he came home he had a full full head and we definitely cut his hair prior to turning 1. Since that time, Ben has consistently had a hair cut about every 6 weeks. No product, no special shampoo, just wash and dry and we go! I KNOW this is a significantly different scenario from some of our friends.
So - what's the point of all of this? Well, this morning after having a nice breakfast with Ben at the island, we each separated for a few minutes. Ben was doing arts and crafts at the island with colored paper and children's scissors while I was arms length away at the kitchen table looking up recipes for tonights dinner. Every few moments I'd look back and ask Ben how he was doing - "Great!" was always the answer as I watched him snip snip at the colored paper.
Then we had the following conversation
B: Mommy I need a shower.
M: Huh??!?
Ben's hair grows quickly! As a matter of fact when we saw our first picture of Ben he had a ton of hair (at birth). By the time he came home he had a full full head and we definitely cut his hair prior to turning 1. Since that time, Ben has consistently had a hair cut about every 6 weeks. No product, no special shampoo, just wash and dry and we go! I KNOW this is a significantly different scenario from some of our friends.
So - what's the point of all of this? Well, this morning after having a nice breakfast with Ben at the island, we each separated for a few minutes. Ben was doing arts and crafts at the island with colored paper and children's scissors while I was arms length away at the kitchen table looking up recipes for tonights dinner. Every few moments I'd look back and ask Ben how he was doing - "Great!" was always the answer as I watched him snip snip at the colored paper.
Then we had the following conversation
B: Mommy I need a shower.
M: Huh??!?
And then it hit me....look! Look quick!!!
I turn around and I saw it - a mom's worst nightmare - cut hair! Cut hair everywhere! On the island, on the chair, all over Ben, all over the floor!
Ok - now I can't get mad because I GAVE him the scissors. So I remained calm and the following convesation occurred:
M: Oh - honey....you cut your hair...
B: I did! Didn't I do a good job?
M: Umm.....well....you cut your hair....
Now granted there are huge clumps of hair - but this kid has sooo much of it - you almost couldn't notice. Is it possible he did a good job?!?! Do I have a hairstylist in the making??!?
So we showered - immediately. Ever tried to get cut hair off of someone in a bath / shower? Not easy. We clean up -and then I go downstairs to clean up the mess. And there is so much of it I'm laughing.
I go in to see Ben playing and I inspect his head. And seriously - he didn't do a bad job - it actually looks...OK?!?!
I tried calling to see if the Barber was open to clean it up but he is closed on Mondays...so we'll wait it out - maybe I won't even taken him later in the week....
I told him:
M: Ben - from now on, no more cutting hair with scissors..
B: OK
M: But I have to say - you did a pretty good job
B: Thanks - am I a hair cutter?
M: Not exactly....but maybe some day!
B: Yea - maybe when i'm an adult.
I have to say - we've been pretty lucky with Ben's hair. Simple to maintain, etc. etc. But one of my FIRST thoughts was - OMG - had this been Kyle and Owen I would have died! My girlfriend Heather and her husband Braydon have spent hundreds of hours over the course of their children's lifetime dealing with hair. They made the decision to dread their hair at the age of 1. The boys hair has never been cut and it looks awesome! Albeit it has been a TON of work for them. Hair products, weekly hair maitenance, etc. My inital reaction was - call heather and tell her - don't let the boys be alone with scissors! Ok - bad idea - what kind of mom leaves her kids with scissors - except for me (remember I was arms length away!). What if K&O cut that beautiful hair?!? What would they do?!?! Would they have to cut the dreads?!?! So Heather this one is for you - read and remember!!!!
I tried calling to see if the Barber was open to clean it up but he is closed on Mondays...so we'll wait it out - maybe I won't even taken him later in the week....
I told him:
M: Ben - from now on, no more cutting hair with scissors..
B: OK
M: But I have to say - you did a pretty good job
B: Thanks - am I a hair cutter?
M: Not exactly....but maybe some day!
B: Yea - maybe when i'm an adult.
I have to say - we've been pretty lucky with Ben's hair. Simple to maintain, etc. etc. But one of my FIRST thoughts was - OMG - had this been Kyle and Owen I would have died! My girlfriend Heather and her husband Braydon have spent hundreds of hours over the course of their children's lifetime dealing with hair. They made the decision to dread their hair at the age of 1. The boys hair has never been cut and it looks awesome! Albeit it has been a TON of work for them. Hair products, weekly hair maitenance, etc. My inital reaction was - call heather and tell her - don't let the boys be alone with scissors! Ok - bad idea - what kind of mom leaves her kids with scissors - except for me (remember I was arms length away!). What if K&O cut that beautiful hair?!? What would they do?!?! Would they have to cut the dreads?!?! So Heather this one is for you - read and remember!!!!
Posted in:
on
Monday, October 08, 2007
at
at
Monday, October 08, 2007
2
comments
Saturday it was pumpkin picking, etc....and SUNDAY was Apple Picking!!!!
