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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To make my daughter wear her hair down on Xmas day

365 replies

Namechangesecretsignature · 23/12/2025 19:58

I really don’t think I’m bu in these circumstances. Normally with something like this I’d think someone was unreasonable but hear me out

DD 6 has the most beautiful curly hair, it’s the most amazing colour whenever she comes to the hairdressers with me they’re in awe at it, both the colour and texture. DD is a major Tom boy, and my parenting style is very much live and let live, pick your battles sort of thing.

however, due to this my dc are used to having free reign on what they wear/do/eat/go to etc. my dc choose their own outfits each day and pretty such always have done. Dd is now especially hard to buy clothes for as alls she wants to wear is blue, black, grey, navy, or dark green. Wouldn’t dream of a dress, has a real issue with jeans, and won’t wear boots or anything. She has chosen a blue designer tracksuit to wear on Xmas day that is navy blue (it’s slightly “girlier” for once as has little shoulder pads and tapered bottoms). We are very much a dress up for Xmas day family and this year after COUNTLESS chopping and changing of plans it’s now been arranged that we’re going out for Xmas. Dd adamant she wants to wear her tracksuit (and has had a meltdown about the clothes I’ve bought her for Boxing Day). I’ve told her if she’s going to wear the tracksuit then I’ll be styling her hair and she won’t be wearing her usual go to style of a slick back pony tail to “dress up” a bit for Xmas day. She’s had an absolute meltdown and whilst this is something I wouldn’t normally care about, something in me is saying to stick to my guns. I accept and fully embrace that she doesn’t and probably will never dress in the way I’d love to dress her (I’m a real girly girl) but do I let her have too much say?

FWIW, I’ve told her that when I was young I didn’t get a say in what I was wearing where we were going and certainly not how my hair was styled. I think I’m further irritated by the kick off over her Boxing Day clothes. She won’t go to the shops with me so I’ve traipsed around the shops myself yesterday to find something she’d like. Smart and not girly but trendy and funky in colours she approves of. I’m struggling financially at the moment and the pressure of Christmas is just getting too much. I don’t know if this is a straw that’s broke the camels back situation. I could’ve done without spending all this money on clothes and presents and feel like it’s not even appreciated just finding fault in things my dc should be grateful for. Before anyone piles on, I know they don’t have to be “grateful” for the basics but it just seems so spoiled to me to be causing such a fuss over a fucking outfit and hairstyle. And no new clothes for Xmas day aren’t negotiable where we come from.

writing it now seems like such a none issue but it’s irked me.

OP posts:
AffableApple · 23/12/2025 23:00

Why are you doing this to her?

Why are you doing this to yourself?

Madness.

MollyMollyMandy33 · 23/12/2025 22:59

Sorry but you are being ridiculous.
Surely what matters is love, being together as a family, enjoying time together and making lovely memories.
Why wreck it imposing a hairstyle on a child who doesn’t want it?
Not a hill to die on.

Hibernating80 · 23/12/2025 22:58

Let her wear what she wants. Trying to control her will not work out well. You can express your preferences and reasons but leave it at that.

Pyjamatimenow · 23/12/2025 22:57

I understand the frustration when they’re pretty and you want them to look the nicest version of themselves. It’s definitely a temptation when you have girls to want to dress them up. Both my DD’s are very headstrong about what they wear and their hair. Both prefer their hair up and off their face and tbh I get why. It’s more comfortable and frankly if I wasn’t so self conscious I’d wear mine tied back all the time as well. They’ve got years and years to worry about their appearance.
In your shoes I would see if she’ll let you take a photo of her with her hair and nice outfit on and then put it up for the rest of the day.

ilovesushi · 23/12/2025 22:52

She's got her own style and knows what makes her feel comfortable and confident. Drop it now. Why make an issue out of a non issue.

Millytante · 23/12/2025 22:52

She’s not a doll (and you should have outgrown that stage anyway).

AgentPidge · 23/12/2025 22:50

Pick your battles! You're running yourself ragged over something that doesn't matter.

whatdoyourdoggoswant · 23/12/2025 22:48

Leave the poor girl alone. It’s her hair, she can wear it how she likes.

Brideofclover · 23/12/2025 22:48

Ps I honestly thought it was a typo and you meant she’s 16 not 6!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣
I’m off! 😂😂

PassTheBiscuitsPlease · 23/12/2025 22:48

You're only going to cause resentment and upset if you push this. I was exactly like how you describe your DD and used to feel so self conscious and uncomfortable when I was made to wear dresses and girly things that just weren't me. Comments from my DM and DGM wishing me to be more girly didn't do anything for my self esteem. Just let her be herself.

Brideofclover · 23/12/2025 22:46

arcticpandas · 23/12/2025 20:19

She's 6! There is no dress code at 6! She needs to be clean and proper that's all. @Namechangesecretsignature please just let her be happy

THANK GOODNESS!! I was scrolling through the comments thinking surely someone ANYONE is going to say about her age!!!
She’s 6 SIX years old fgs! Designer tracksuits? Meltdowns over what she’d planned (PLANNED 😱🤣) to wear and not allowed to wear in two or three days time?
I’ve read some utterly ridiculous threads on mumsnet over the years but this is batshit nuts!!
I think this is the last thread I’m reading for this year because I really am shaking my head in wonder at you @Namechangesecretsignature

MCF86 · 23/12/2025 22:45

PartoftheBand · 23/12/2025 20:01

In your own words, "it just seems so spoiled to me to be causing such a fuss over a fucking outfit and hairstyle." But it feels like this is what you are doing. Just let her be comfortable and happy.

Right?! Much more spoiled to expect to dictate someone else's than your own!!

wineosaurusrex · 23/12/2025 22:40

Dress codes dont come into it - you're just searching for reasons to justify this. She can be perfectly smart and also wear her hair tied up in a way that she feels comfortable with! You just want her to wear her hair down as it is pretty and you like it. But that isnt who she is. Respect your child! Yes she is 6 but she has feelings. Why spoil Christmas making her feel insecure and uncomfortable and not herself? So cruel.

Fedupmumofadultsons · 23/12/2025 22:40

WorkMess2025 · 23/12/2025 20:03

Totally get why you're irked over some things but unfortunately I am in the 'this is unreasonable' camp. I always figure what does it matter how she wears her hair? Is it more important that she feels good and has a lovely time or looks how you'd like her to look but feels concious of it?

I'm very much of the opinion that hairstyle and style overall is their call. Yes, I would be having words if my DD tried to go out in a dress in the snow... but as long as it is appropriate for the weather and activity, I want to foster that side of her independence. My DD who's 4 often does her own hair with various clips etc. Sometimes it looks a little... wild. But honestly if she's happy with it (which she always is, and often looks at herself and says "wow, I'm so beautiful!") Then that's all that really matters.

Perhaps broaching the issues of feeling she lacks gratitude for time/money/effort spent is more important.

That's so sweet her hair a mini riot but beautiful all in one go .she sounds a cutie

SunnySideDeepDown · 23/12/2025 22:39

Namechangesecretsignature · 23/12/2025 20:14

It’s nothing to do with her being a girl and apply the same to my son.

You do seem obsessed with looks though. Do your looks provide your self esteem? I’m going to guess you never leave the house without makeup on and your lips filled?

Let the poor girl be herself. Teach her that she’s perfect however she dresses, that her happiness is a priority. If you do that, her self esteem will come from within, not based on what clothes she wears.

GalaxyJam · 23/12/2025 22:38

SillyNavyTiger · 23/12/2025 22:09

what do you think? 🙄

I don’t know, that’s why I asked. As you pointed out in your previous post, the child already knows to wear appropriate clothes for an occasion as she wears school uniform. So what is forcing her to wear her hair down on Christmas Day rather than in her preferred ponytail style helping her to do, in the long run?

wineosaurusrex · 23/12/2025 22:37

YABVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVU

EchoesOfOurDreams · 23/12/2025 22:35

YABU. My mother used to pull shit like this when I was a kid and it is really damaging.

I was also a tomboy and to me it felt like she didn't love me for me but for who she wanted me to be.

One time when I was about 11 I was wearing tracksuit pants and a t shirt to go to the cinema with my friends. My mum threw an absolute fit and started saying I was scruffy and "what would (friend's name)'s mum think of me if I let you go out wearing that?!". She then made me get changed into this skirt, sparkly top and platform sandals which I never wore and was probably one of the few "girly" things I had. What actually happened after was all of my friends laughed at me for weeks and weeks as they knew my mum had made me wear that and it wasn't what I would have chosen to wear. I still haven't forgotten how humiliated I felt.

Don't be that mum that treats your daughter like she is some kind of dress up doll.

SillyNavyTiger · 23/12/2025 22:34

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 23/12/2025 22:23

The fact DD is very clear she doesn't like dresses but you would force her into something she is very clear she doesn't like

if she's that clear, she'd pick something else then would she?

Can't be more open-minded that this by giving them a choice: pick smart, or wear that. Easy, stress-free and everybody is happy.

Works very well with toddlers too: don't force them, but give them a choice. 😂

Yeswoman · 23/12/2025 22:33

She's 6, she's not at an age where she needs to care about how she looks.
enjoy her, she's a baby!

PGmicstand · 23/12/2025 22:32

arethereanyleftatall · 23/12/2025 21:40

Even if it was swimming clothes. (Assuming not cold). So what? This is in her house with her own family. If you can’t be comfy and yourself in your own house, where can you be?

That's a fair point. I was more thinking about any hot food being spilled/dropped on bare skin.

TheCurious0range · 23/12/2025 22:29

The hair wouldn't bother me, I wouldn't let DS wear a tracksuit out for dinner though, but then I don't buy him tracksuits other than for sports.

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 23/12/2025 22:28

SillyNavyTiger · 23/12/2025 22:16

Wearing appropriate clothing for the occasion has nothing to do with feminism.

I wouldn't let my sons wear a tracksuit either, so why should I let my daughter?

Wearing her hair down because it's more feminine is absolutely to do with feminism...

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 23/12/2025 22:26

AnneLovesGilbert · 23/12/2025 20:06

Leave her hair alone. And if you’re skint stop buying “designer tracksuits” for a 6 year old ffs. I’ve got a 6 year old and she wouldn’t know what one was. Your priorities are mad.

Edited

This, with knobs on!

Cageauxfolles · 23/12/2025 22:24

😮