To insist DS cuts his hair?

[Skodascream]

DS is 6.5. He‘s always had short hair until now. It’s gone past the outgrown look and is just a mop of hair on his head. It is starting to fall into his eyes.

He is such a handsome boy, but I HATE his hair right now. And seeing it in his eyes is driving me crazy.

He says he wants to grow it.

Should I insist he gets it cut?

Or should I let him express himself?

I’m tempted to bribe him with the trainers he wants- only if he gets his hair cut!!

I agree with @mrsblueskyeye so many kids with mental health issues these days….gentle parenting = lazy parenting. Coercive control my ass !! No boundaries more like……he’s a 6 year old, he needs to learn the world doesn’t revolve around what he wants.

I read this as 6.5 feet tall I thought you were being over the top lol.
No, I'd be getting it cut

So get it cut into shape as it grows.

Not difficult

Unfortunately the research into mental health issues really doesn’t support your point of view. Current parents were raised by the boomer generation or Gen Z, and to say current Gen Z and older millennials have demonstrable mental health benefits from super strict parenting is frankly laughable.

gentle parenting doesn’t mean a lack of control, it means getting an understanding of what is actually happening before action is taken. Actually taking advice on parenting from professionals who understand child development. It’s also not lazy 🤣 we are putting a heck of a lot more effort into making sure our kids are healthy and happy than simply issuing orders.

strangely enough my kids haven’t been in trouble with the police, don’t go out drinking, eat a variety of foods including vegetables, go to bed, do their chores, go to school. So as it stands my rubbish parenting and not forcing my kids to do things they clearly don’t want to do has done a heck of a lot better than my mum ever managed. Wonder how that happened?

Sounds like you don't understand what gentle parenting is. Boundaries, setting, expectations of, maintaining is pretty key.

That's a slippery slope telling kids they don't have control over their own body...
Leads to them being vulnerable to predators

So not actually anything to.do with nits, just a bit of casual stereotyping from you?

My 10 year old DS has near waist length hair. I’ve never been able to get him to sit at the hairdresser, so cut it myself for a few years but it’s now beyond me. Looks good though with long blond waves and curls, he likes it and I can’t remember the last time he had nits! Ties it back for PE. We’ll see how he gets on with it at secondary school in September 😁.

All 4 of mine have long hair, both boys and both girls. It suits them! I have very little interest in hair and couldn’t care less what hair style they have as long as it’s washed regularly.

I mean, if you bribe him to get your way, you're just teaching him that must comply with your needs, in order for him to have something...

If it was something to do with life or death, then I'd then say to enforce but the only person it is is bothering is you. He is his own person, so allow him to express himself.

We arent here to force our kids to do as we please, we are meant to guide them and that does not mean forcing them to do something just because you don't like it.

I mean, if you bribe him to get your way, you're just teaching him that must comply with your needs, in order for him to have something...

This is ridiculous. The kid is 6! Why is this even a debate?

Not really the same is it though? If your daughter needs to see the Dr for medical reasons it's completely different to a boy having long hair because it's his hair and he chooses to have it long. His hair length doesn't medically affect him or anyone else.

it's completely different to a boy having long hair because it's his hair and he chooses to have it long. His hair length doesn't medically affect him or anyone else.

it will do, it its unkempt and untidy. A parent is responsible for 6yo hair.

What illness do you get from long hair? And why don’t girls get it?

6 year olds have a great awareness of what they want.

So many people acting like they don't.

6 year olds have a great awareness of what they want.

Oh sure they do. Play on ipad all day long, and have a diet consisting entirely of chocolate. sure, why not.

You've never spoken to a 6 year old have you?

My 2 youngest have always had long hair, when they were 6 I decided how they had their hair (I liked it long) now they are 8 they decide, only stipulation is no buzzcuts anything else goes

Why no buzz cuts?

It was no skin heads at my school, under a number 3 was classed as an 'extreme hairstyle'.