The Style of the Year

Becky has been talking about getting her hair cut for a while. Months, in fact. I wasn't keen on the idea. Mostly because it was a bit radical and trendy and I'm old and conservative. But she's young, and it's hair, and her super power is Growing Hair Really Fast. And while those are all good reasons to let someone do something, it wasn't good enough. And then I reminded myself of the #1 rule of teen parenting. If its not harmful to them or anyone else, if it's not a modesty issue nor breaks the law, why not let them? You're only young once.

So in other words, why NOT let her?

And because I didn't have a valid reason to not let her other than "its not what I'd choose," I told her that I didn't care. So she made the appointment, and her friend and I went along to watch. Because it was a radical change.

Becky went from this:

To this:

Yes, she lost a lot of hair. Yes, it's shorter on one side than the other. Yes, the stylists at the salon were very skeptical about what she was doing, and why she'd do that to herself. Except the stylist that was doing her hair. He absolutely rocked. My personal favorite was the stylist who came up to the friend, knowing that we were with Becky, and said, "All that hair! I can't believe she cut that much hair off!" And by her tone, and the look on her face, I knew she wasn't in agreement with Becky's hair style. But here's the thing. If I'm the mom, and I'm right there watching, then I approve. And when someone chooses to irrationally point at my kids in a negative way, my mom claws are going to come out.

"It was her choice. I think it looks absolutely adorable on her. She definitely has the face for it. It was a good choice."

So the stylist changed her tune, for which I was grateful. "She should have donated it to Locks of Love. All that hair."

It was colored.

"That doesn't matter anymore. They take it colored now."

I didn't know that.

"All that hair. She really should have donated it."

It wasn't even, either. It was layered and they said they wouldn't have taken it.

And with that she had nothing more to say and walked away.

Becky is completely thrilled with the style. She says it makes her look older. I'm equally thrilled. It apparently makes me look younger. The stylist that did her hair thought I was another friend. He had no idea I was the mom. Micah is more thrilled than anyone. When he came home from school and saw the new 'do, he said, "WOW, Becky! WOW," and then hugged her.

It's really funny how one hair style can bring out so many reactions.