As I’ve mentioned before, Ronald (my 11-year-old) is fiercely independent and doesn’t care a bit about what others think of him.
As such, he has been growing his hair for over a year-and-a-half, in what I consider an attempt to have a record-breaking afro – and is pretty darn close, if you ask me…
Exhibit A:
Pretty big, right? [That’s what she said!]
At any given time, you may find food in there. Or sticks. Or maybe even a pencil.
It’s really that big.
Okay, so he took this to heart…
Source: caimay
Anyway, as the new school year approaches and football season begins, I (being the mean mom that I am) told him that he must get his hair cut before school starts. I refuse to buy a new football helmet just so it fits over his ‘fro, when his helmet from last year fits perfectly fine over his non-‘fro head.
After a ton bit of reluctance, he agreed, as long as I took him to a specific place to get it cut. So I did, and none of the ladies in there could believe how long his hair was! They couldn’t believe he wanted it cut. Probably because he didn’t. Like a champ, though, he hopped up in the chair and let her begin to cut!
I have to admit, I was nervous for the poor kid! All these months of loving his huge hair, and he finally agreed to butcher it! After a few minutes passed, I walked around the corner to take a peek at the progress, and this is what I saw:
How amazing is that?! He could pretty much pass for Kid of Kid & Play.
SEE???
Source: Egypt Said So.com
I laughed, the ladies were laughing, and even my little man was laughing! I must say that I was impressed with the lady’s ability to lighten the mood a little, knowing full well that she was partly responsible for ruining the child’s life! I asked him if we could keep it that way, and he laughed some more.
A little while later, when the lady had finished up, Ronald came around the corner, and I saw my handsome little man’s face again! He looked years older, reminding me that one day soon I won’t be able to threaten him until he gets his hair cut anymore. We all loved his hair and oohed and aahed over what a gentleman he looked like. He ate it up and loved all the attention.
On the way home, as he looked at himself over and over again in the mirror, he actually said, “Wow, Mom. I really like it. I think I might keep it this way from now on.” I was one happy mama!
Operation Lose the Fro: SUCCESS!!!
August 7th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Bahahah I almost spit water out my nose at that second pic! He should have kept it like that 🙂
August 7th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
We tried…!
August 7th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Dislike!
August 7th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
What do you dislike?
August 7th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
I liked the boy’s big ole’ fro!
August 7th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Lol! Everyone did except me! But seriously – I wasn’t going to spend $150 on a new football helmet just to fit over it! 🙂
August 7th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
All that extra protection against head injury is worth it!
I lose that battle at home with Cool and the wife too. Cool has great curly hair but hates it to be long.
August 7th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
I told him if he would brush it more, then he may have been able to keep it, but you never knew what you’d find in it! Lol!
August 7th, 2013 at 7:55 pm
operation success. As much as I like to see individuality he looks better without the fro. Funny pics too.
August 9th, 2013 at 8:58 am
I definitely thought so too!!
August 7th, 2013 at 8:43 pm
AWWWW he’s cute! I just made my son cut his hair before school started and he was furious. He didnt have a fro, but it was starting to resemble a bob:)
August 9th, 2013 at 9:09 am
Lol! Mine was furious, too, but it was amazing at how quickly he got over it once he saw it actually looked good! I was referred to as “Worst Mom Ever” until he was actually done! Glad to know you go through the same battles that I do!
August 8th, 2013 at 4:02 am
He looks like two different people! He now looks very smart.
Are you sure with that afro he actually needed a football helmet? Surely there was ample padding there 🙂
August 9th, 2013 at 9:12 am
Hahaha! I didn’t even think about him not needing a helmet because he had a built-in one! So true!!
August 8th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
He is handsome with or without the fro. Proud of you, though, for giving some tough love. It’s part of our job as parents to push our kids out of their comfort zone. His hair became his identity–you needed to show him what was hiding underneath–look at that smile on him!
We do what we can, and then one day it’s all on them.
BTW, as a bald white man, I do have Fro Envy. I’d love to have a big ‘do like that:)
Great post!
August 9th, 2013 at 9:16 am
Thank you Dadicus!! What a wonderful compliment coming from you 🙂
You’re right – It did become his identity, and he hid behind it. Now he can be silly all on his own!
Hahahaha – I’m imagining you with an afro like that, and it makes laugh until it hurts!! 😉
August 9th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Having had to deal with lice in my daughter’s hair FOR 6 MONTHS(received from her bro, who received from his BF who received it from his sis, who received it from a sleepover–yes, the ugly food chain of a little creature that about took my sanity), he is very lucky never to have had bugs nest in it. Actually, he is very lucky not to have had birds nip it off his head for their nest! I love the new look. Before, his features dissolved from the overwhelming personality of that hair. Now his face shines. Beautiful. Um….how did he wash it when long?
August 9th, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Oh no! What a nightmare! I’m actually surprised he never had a living in that nest! He washed it with a LOT more shampoo than he does now!!!
August 10th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
LOL and I bet your pipes are happier too! I was never allowed to grow my hair because my dad didn’t want the pipes to get clogged! As a person who looks mucho better with longer hair, I was NOT attractive as a teen! My short hair is a wavy hot mess but longer it morphs into corkscrew curls. Much better! He is so darling, and when he looks at his ‘fro pics later in life he will blame YOU for it. Better get a letter absolving you of all responsibility NOW. LOL
August 12th, 2013 at 9:03 am
Cute kid! And he has a strong personality:D Awsome!
August 12th, 2013 at 10:01 am
Thank you! Strong personality doesn’t even begin to explain it… lol! 😉
August 13th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
I hope my little dude doesn’t wanna grow a fro, because I have a hard time seeing other kids with no organization to their hair. Just me.
August 13th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Oh yes – then you would most definitely HATE it!
August 13th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
I always make him go with me every other time whenever his hair gets too long.