Do you consider this good or bad parenting?

Question

A family member has decided she's going to dye her six year old son's hair blue. She said he asked her to, so she's going to do it. I say that as his mom she should be looking out for his welfare and realize she's setting him up to be a target of some negative attention within this small town community. Am I being too conservative in my point of view? I welcome everyone's input here.

Answer 1

As long as the hair coloring is harmless (food coloring, vegetable dyes, etc...) then I see nothing wrong with it.   She really should not be having his hair chemically treated at this young age because the chemicals could damage his hair, scalp, etc...

Answer 2

Well, if I saw a 6 year old with blue hair walking down the street I'd be just sure that the h**l's angels had come to town.  I'd go home & board up my windows.  (well, I thought it was funny)  I don't think anyone thinks that a 6 year old with blue hair is a rebel or anything else negative.  I think it's cute.  You might as well let him experiment now.  He's a kid!!! That's what kids do.  At least he hasn't already colored it himself with a sharpie.  As for the looking out for his welfare part, I think she's encouraging his creativity and allowing him to explore his own identity- just what kids his age are doing.  I was thinking of letting my 7 year old dye the ends (the part that will get trimmed before school) of her blonde hair a patriotic red & blue this summer.

Answer 3

No you are absolutely justified in your opinion. A mother should not be dying her six year old son's hair blue. When a little boy asks to fly a plane does that mean his mother should buy him one? No! This will give him negative and unwanted attention and he will later regret it.

Answer 4

I think if anybody can pull of having blue hair (or any other color for that matter) then a 6 year old child could.  He's a kid and just wanting to try something new.  I'm sure he'll receive less negative attention from it at this age than if he were a teenager.  I let my son use blue hair gel that washed out but I wouldn't let him do something permanent like that I don't think.  A few times of using the blue hair gel and he lost interest in it.  But now, to answer your question, I wouldn't consider this "bad parenting" at all.

Answer 5

Our 8 yr old son wanted blue hair and a mohawk. We did give him a mohawk for a few days but we didn't dye his hair blue. Rather we just bought some blue gel for him. He is a bit young for that I think and even though I'm not worried about what other people will think about it, it's just that we don't want him to think that he should be able to do what he wants. You know if we do that young then the next thing will e a piercing, and then a tatoo, and then who knows what...

Answer 6

I think you're being too conservative. I just don't think it's a big deal, it's only hair. Besides, it's summer. He's not even going to school like that.

Answer 7

she shouldn't do that.

she is showing her son that what ever he asks her he will get. As he gets older he won't show the mother any respect. She has to be strict with him to shape his personality if she wants him to grow up to be respectful.

Answer 8

i think he has a right to say how he wants his hair to look. its on his head and its his hair. his mom is only fufilling his needs. hes not asking his mom to buy him p**n or weed or something crazy. its just hair.

people shouldnt be so negative to think shes a bad mother (not you but people in your community). if a little girl wanted to cut her hair to her ears and dye it blonde... would she be wrong? no. but because its BLUE and because its DIFFERENT.. she shouldnt do it? its her child.

plain and simple

Answer 9

Its fine stop being so conservative.

Answer 10

I dye my son's hair all the time(he is 4), but I use food coloring or something that will wash out not long after.If the little boy wants to dye his hair then why not? The great thing about boys is you can shave their head and it grows back quick if he does not like it or gets any negative attention.

Answer 11

Considering the dramatic nature of the change, she really should try something temporary first. Then he could see what kind of reaction he gets and if he can handle it. I mean, what if it is very negative and he wants the blue gone? This could go really bad. On the other hand, if he gets positive attention and wants to keep it, then she could go with the permanent dye.

Answer 12

Truthfully, while it might be a bit dramatic and non conformist, it might teach her son to be an individual and not afraid to express himself.  There could be a good side to it....

Answer 13

It's neither good nor bad.  However she is making a choice for her child which may harm his hair and his skin (bleach burns the skin by the way) If you are at all concerned you could call CPS

Answer 14

your being way to Conservative

and it s not even your kid

Answer 15

It would be bad parenting only if the mom doesn't want to do it but is allowing it just because the child asked - my 6 year old asks for things all the time and forgets about it rather quickly - but if it is something the boy keeps asking for and the mother doesn't mind then go for it - it is summer and that is a good time for experimenting - if it turns out to be a bad idea then it can be fixed before school starts!