Establishing boundaries for children can be challenging, especially when parents have differing views on issues like bedtime routines, screen time, or consequences for misbehavior. This challenge can be even greater for single parents, as each household may have its own set of rules and chores.
Recently, one father shared his regret over a hasty parenting decision that upset his family. His actions led to his daughter crying for hours, and family members suggested he take parenting classes. The dad explained that he had been struggling with his seven-year-old daughter every morning over her long hair, which almost reached her belly button. Despite his efforts to encourage her to brush and care for her hair, she showed little interest.
In a post on Reddit, the dad detailed his experience: “For the past few years, I’ve talked to her about the importance of taking care of long hair. I’ve been trying to get her to brush it for a couple of years, but she just puts the brush down and goes off to play.” This behavior sparked daily arguments between them.
He continued, “I’ve warned her over the last year that if she doesn’t start brushing her hair at least twice a day, we would have to cut it shorter. I spoke with her mother about it, and she agreed that I could cut it if my daughter didn’t take responsibility for her hair.”
As a dad with long hair himself, reaching past his chest, he tried to demonstrate proper hair care techniques by brushing from the bottom up. However, after another morning argument, he snapped and cut his daughter’s hair, shortening it to just below her shoulders. This decision left her devastated, and she cried for an hour during the drive to his parents’ house while he went to work. His mother and sister were both upset with him.
“My mom told me I would ruin my daughter if I didn’t start taking parenting classes, and that cutting her hair was completely unnecessary,” he recounted. Many commenters on his Reddit post echoed his family’s concerns, stating that he approached the situation incorrectly and that a haircut should be a positive experience.
One reader noted, “I understand your frustration, but cutting her hair in this way was not the solution. I’ve been in your position, and my daughter is now 10. I still help her brush her hair. You might consider asking a salon for tips or finding a mom group on Facebook. They would be eager to help a single dad navigate the challenges of managing a girl’s hair.”
Another commenter added, “Cutting her hair as punishment is damaging. At seven years old, it’s your responsibility to help her care for her hair and teach her, rather than expect perfection.”
Out of 229 comments, only a few supported the dad’s decision. One reader stated, “I’m going against the grain here and would have also considered a haircut. If she can’t manage it, maybe she’s not ready for long hair.”
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