Primary School PE

[Mossiebonbon]

My daughter is in Year 2. She has had problems with her ear since birth and has a (small but noticeable ) lump on the top of one ear. As a result of this she has a huge complex about her ears and wears her hair down to cover them. Her school insist her hair must be tied back for PE. Every week we have a huge meltdown both the night and morning before, in anticipation of PE, and the evening after she is still upset.
AIBU to expect the school to allow her hair to be loose ? I understand at a competitive level maybe this would be necessary however she is 7 years old! Unfortunately, compromises like half up still covering ears haven't worked as tbh you can still see her lump (if you were looking closely as she does, not her peers!)

How long is her hair? If it's chin length then they probably won't expect it to be tied back but ime longer hair is always made to be tied back.

Can she wear a head band? Could be a short term solution and of course do what you can away from PE days to help get feel more comfortable with herself.

Year 2 is young to be so self conscious about appearance, poor thing.

At my dd's primary, long hair has to be tied up at all times. I think it's a health and safety issue for PE tbh and I'd look at a hair band/wrap to cover up with instead.

Can you do a low ponytail which pulls the hair over her ears or is that the same as the half up look you've tried?

When I go to the gym, I have one of these headbands and you can see they actually tell you to wear it over the top of your ears - www.facebook.com/hyggebands/videos/how-to-wear-your-hygge/1767285403286999/

Maybe have a bob cut so she cannot be forced to tie it up yet it will still cover her ears.

Hair is usually tied back for sport for safety so it can’t get caught on anything. Those hair bands look like a good idea though.

Yep bob with a fringe. Love that on little girls and it’s less faff than longer hair.

Get her to a good hairdresser.

I've never made a child tie their hair back for Year 2 PE. I can't think of anything we do at that age that would be a health and safety risk. It seems like a huge overreaction by the school.

Have you tried explaining to her teacher why she wants her hair down?

Other than that, could she wear a baseball cap as they can cover ears if pulled down a bit? Or a sweatband?

More drastic would be a pixie style cut or short bob that covers ears but is too short to tie back.

You are unreasonable to expect the school to let it be down. But you aren't unreasonable to ask them to help with solutions like allowing sports hair bands or stating what her longest it could be and still be kept down.

Long hair trapped between hockey sticks, or gets stood on when climbing wall bars etc.

If she has long hair it needs to be tied up, really she is lucky School let her wear it down other days as generally most schools want longer hair up.

I agree with the bob or headband suggestions. But really you need to make the key finding a way to boost her self esteem before it becomes a massive issue for her

Have you chatted to her teacher about this? Explain how upset she is and ask the teacher's help to find a possible solution.

My girls hair are both longer than shoulder length so have to be tied back all times at school anyway.

Just cut your DDs hair to a bob and she wont be able to get it back and her ears will always be covered.

Health and safety guidelines are that hair is tied up.
I recommend a bob hair cut, a low pony tail pulled over the ears or speak to the teacher and ask if she can wear a head band, an elastic one

Thanks everyone for your suggestions