Red hair

[Babyfaces12]

Calling all red heads and parents of red heads...

My baby was born was bright red hair. He’s now 6 months and it’s fallen out and grown back in the same colour. Eyebrows and lashes were blonde but they now match his hair. His hair is so so bright, truly orange and glows fluorescent in the sunlight! My question is... does this shade of orange calm down, or if this is his colour does it stay for life? I ask as I’ve never seen children or adults with this colour and as we don’t know any redheads, I’m wondering if it’s similar to blondes and brunettes where the shade does change over time.

Curious to hear experiences!

@lavenderandwisteria This is very true!!! How could I forget Boris 😆

But @Babyfaces12, saying you wouldn't mind it toning down a little does indicate that you are not happy with his hair and would like it to change. If your child had been born with white blonde or darkest brown hair, would you be saying you would like to tone it down a little?
Although you are mostly saying positive things about his hair, the underlying message is that you want it to change.

rockpainting

I really understand where you are coming from.

However, I think it's very natural for a parent to have a private slight wobble over things that guarantee a harder time for their children.

I have ginger hair and I was picked on as a child and also as an adult. I have even been in a formal meeting and was holding a contractor to account when he responded with a comment about hair colour, all the men in the room laughed (def boys club dynamic too).

Red hair is wonderful but brings its own challenges, from 'kick a ginger' day to almost being sexualised (red heads furious temper and filthy in bed etc).

It's one thing people feel totally entitled to comment on. Which is not right and should change, however as a parent it does make sense to be aware of the negatives and be prepared for them.

When my daughter has been picked on we have talked about why people act like that, personal boundaries, self confidence etc. I have also expected school to take it as seriously as any other bullying.

There is no point a parent refusing to live in the real world with their child.

Repeating 'its beautiful' to a child who is struggling with the way the world has treated them is not going to cut it imo.

[quote Babyfaces12]@GingerScallop It would be rare for your child to be red headed.... but certainly not impossible! 🤞🏻[/quote]
True babyfaces. My first's hair had a reddish tinge, blue eyes, very very pale skin. He now has "highlights" and green-grey eyes. My second takes after me. And I know a few black Africans with reddish hair and freckles despite having no (known) Caucasian genes. "Sadly" you have to uncross your fingers as am done with kids

My mum is in her 80s and still has the most beautiful red hair. I'm almost 50 and my once blonde hair is now white. So unfair! Give me red hair any day! Just stunning and beautiful.

@Footloosefancyfree Is your husbands and child’s hair bright orange or changed from bright orange over time? That’s what we’re discussing here, the shade change of hair, not whether red hair is acceptable or defines a person as to me that’s not even up for question. That’s absolutely not the point of this post.

I was quietly disappointed that none of my dc have my red hair...all 3 are brown, although dd has a few natural red highlights that her hairdresser is very jealous off.... my dad had a ginger beard and dark brown hair , so maybe the boys might develop the same.

@CheshireCats What you have compared to is not comparable. @Blackopal has put this perfectly.

@Babyfaces12 you state you would like your child's hair colour to change (tone). Thereby indicating you aren't happy with its current "tone" .
Do you think only people with brightest red hair get taunted about their hair? And not paler gingers? ...

There are some links on Pinterest with red haired children Unfortunately the best Pinterest I could find is for red haired children and ginger babies.

I came across the Pinterest link when looking for hairstyles for children. It’s a very attractive colour and some children’s hair looks like a flame. It is my favourite hair colour and looks amazing with curls.

I have the same colour now as I did when I was a child. But I find it does fluctuate - I grew up in a very sunny location and it would lighten through the summer with all the sun. So with the weather in England, it may darken naturally 😂

My daughter is a redhead too and I was so pleased. It's such a beautiful trait. I worry about bullying too but as you've said, that's why it's so important to instill self-confidence from a young age!

@CheshireCats I hear you, but I’m not here to argue. Thank you for your thoughts. Children and adults are teased and singled out for all sorts of reasons - hair colour, tone, texture, style being just one of them. I do think you’ve misinterpreted my post and my feelings, but I do see where you are coming from and I apologise if I’ve caused you upset and frustration. I really did just want to chat with other parents of redheads or those with red hair

@AviciaJones The curls really are gorgeous aren’t they. My sons hair is absolutely a flame! 🔥

It may have highlights of lighter shade once it is longer and in summer.

Exactly @otterbaby, if I worried about every little thing he could be teased for through life, I’d never let him leave the house! His little personality is already coming through in a way that I feel he’ll be able to handle what life throws at him. His hair may well darken as I’m too worried to let him in the sun with his porcelain skin!

@cupoftea2021 Yes potentially, as there are lighter hairs through it already. I’m not sure how much sun he’ll get though... I’m so worried he’ll burn!

I'd be much more worried about the burning than the hair to be honest.

My hair has never caused me much trouble (beyond the boring teasing and revolting sexual innuendo), but my skin has been a constant pain - I burn when exposed to lengthy periods of daylight even on a cloudy day in summer.

A hat will be a must so you won't see much of his hair!

Even if his hair changes he is likely to be sun sensitive. All 3 of mine have very ' red head ' skin despite their hair changing. Very pale, freckles and burn soooo easily.

It will probably darken to either a deeper auburn or a strawberry blonde. I think red hair is just gorgeous on anyone, I'm thoroughly jealous.

Not everyone with red hair gets picked on, I had bright carrot top red hair as a kid and it was never a problem. It's darker (and greyer!) now and I spend a fortune in hair dye to try and keep the red!

OP your boy is not the only one by a very long shot. Come and live in Scotland- red hair is very, very common place. I have at least 3 boys in every class (secondary teacher) with bright, red hair.

@Didiplanthis @ditalini Yes, exactly! I burn so easily (evidence I carry the red gene!) so I’m already uber conscious of the sun, but stepping it up a few levels for him. I’ve no doubt you can’t be too cautious.

My ds is nearly 3 was born with bright ginger/orange hair. Very unexpected as dh is very dark haired with olive skin that his older sister inherited. I’m dark blonde.
It’s stayed the same tbh and it’s bloody gorgeous . I am praying it doesn’t dull down or fade to blonde.
I look out for adult men and older boys with his hair colour and I’ve spotted quite a few actually.
Just last week I saw a teenager with his colour hair and he looked really cool with his funky hair cut.
Also there is a man at my work with bright orange hair. He’s very handsome.

I just want to add that I’ve had never had a negative comment about my ds hair. It’s more people stopping me to tell me how beautiful he is.
I have however had the “where’s that come from?”
In a rude way, mainly from people I know. I use these opportunities to practice my sarcasm

Op how bright is his hair?
Can you liken it to a celebrity male or female so we get an idea?
I'm red headed and it's only just started to dull a bit now that I'm 40 it's getting lighter

But I would never say it was orange colour but I do have the almost invisible eyebrows and eyelashes

I also know a couple of men with very strawberry blonde hair more gingery but they do suit it and both are strapping so I doubt they were ever bullied

I'm the only ginge in my family as I got it from my late gran but she had a beautiful almost honey blonde colour which I hope I end up with

I was never bullied with mine and I know a few kids at my daughters nursery with bright ginger hair and no one takes any notice

I have two red headed children. One is more auburn but the other is bright ginger. They were always this colour, from being babies. They were a magnet for little old ladies when we were out and about.

We always used the term 'ginge' as a nickname, but lovingly, so that they'd not associate hearing it later on in life with negative connotations.

They've both always been positive about their gingerness, and luckily never been bullied about it.

I have DS and DD both red heads. I know what you mean because IME my DS has been the target of comments more so than my DD.
He's 20 now and plays adult footie and the comments are vile....but he's always been pretty cool with it and although no GF atm, he's always been very popular with the girls both as friends and gfs. But I do think ginger lads have a harder time than girls.
My DD hair is beyond stunning...and she's just donated 16" to The Little Princess fund.