AIBU about my 12 year old sons hair?

[moodyandgrumpyandsad]

My 12 year old is refusing to cut his hair, as he has got obsessed with having it permed . A couple of older boys In his school have it, and are cool and popular. Unfortunately my son is desperate to fit in, always has been, but his desperation clearly shows to others and he's experienced low level bullying the last year.

He looks awful, his hair is in that overgrown stage, its all different lengths and is very wiry and bushy and he looks really scruffy. He is refusing to cut it, as he wants a perm. This would cost about £60, which he hasn't got. I am not paying it, as I can guarantee that he would hate it once done, and there's no way I can afford it anyway!

How long do I let him continue with this? Apart from anything else if he did have it I think the bullying would go into overdrive!

I do like it Emma - if it's natural that is, I'm guessing your average high street perm may not be quite as nice an effect though. My two just have waves now but big wavy mops :(

Thank you Myother, I remember that first time round.

taekwondo!!!!

I am definitely going to look into the air cadets suggestion! I just think he wouldn't be up for it, but I can try .

My 12 year old will NOT get his hair cut short. It's kind of mid length and thick and shaggy. I don't care enough to insist on him getting it cut, and there are no rules about hair at school, so I just leave him to it. He sweeps it to one side and we tease him that he looks like Justin Beiber but even that isn't enough to get him to the hairdresser.

I wouldn't pay for a perm though (and I think our hairdresser would refuse to do it anyway as she's not keen on chemicals on young people, she won't use bleaches either).

OP, Can you find a picture of what this perm might look like?

I'm SOOO curious!

I have just emailed the local air cadets for more information!

I am going to pay for him to have the sides trimmed, so it at least doesn't look so scruffy, that's a start!

Perhaps you could use the promise of a perm as a bribe? If he does 6 monthsin cadets then you'll pay for a perm. HHopefully by that point he'll have changed his min !

Great idea galligirl!!

Hopefully by then it will be clear that Air Cadets will not allow such a silly hairstyle

I can't imagine tucking those wiry curls under a beret....