Should I Cut My Child's Hair For The Summer?

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by Shota Washanabe via Flickr.com

If either you or your child has been expressing interest in a summer haircut, there are many things to consider. Perhaps your child is not interested in the haircut or maybe you are the one questioning the idea. While a summer haircut may be right for some kids, it may not be for everyone. I've discussed this topic with all of my kids at some point. Together, you and your child can make an informed decision after considering all the options.

Is your child getting hot too easily? This is one of the biggest reasons people opt for shorter hairstyles during the summer. Kids are no different. If your child's hair is contributing to the heat, a haircut may help with some ventilation. Some people may instead opt to keep the child's hair in a bun, braid, or ponytail. Some kids may feel more freedom when they don't need to tie their hair back in this way. That's when a shorter cut can come in handy.

How quickly does your child's hair grow back? If your child's hair grows quickly, it may not be a big deal to cut it for the summer. On the other hand, if you have a hard time getting your child's hair to grow, you may not want to do much more than trimming. If your child prefers length and it takes a long time to get there, a short hair cut may not be a very good idea. My son loves it every time I cut his hair. However, his hair grows back extremely fast. None of my girls will allow their hair to be cut by much. One has hair that grows back fast and the other two do not.

How attached is your child to the longer hair? Some kids are very attached to their hair. Other than trimmings and cutting the bangs, none of my girls like to get theirs cut short, summer or not. If your child likes longer hair, you should consider those feelings before deciding to cut it all off. My well-intentioned mom made a mistake in this area when I was a kid. It was summertime and she was trying to cool me off. I ended up with a very short hair cut and I was saddened about my long hair being missing for quite a long time. To this day, my hair has still never returned to that length. Therefore, whenever I think about giving my kids a haircut, I keep that in mind.

What look does your child prefer? Whenever you do anything regarding a child's look, you should always ask that person first. Talk to your child about preferred styles. Your child should always be happy with the decision. Some kids just do not like short hair, even if it feels breezier that way. Other kids aren't happy with longer hair. No matter how cute you may think a summer haircut will be on your kid, ultimately it's not your choice to make. Unless you are dealing with a baby, your child should have the final say in whether a summer haircut is ideal.

At the end of the day, it's just hair. In the grand scheme of things, does a hairstyle really matter? There are so many more important things in the world to be considering. If your child is the one who wants the haircut and you are the one attached to the hair, remember that it's just hair. Hair does grow back eventually in most cases. You can also explain this to your child so that all options are covered. It will be easier for you and your child to come to a decision when all points are presented.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network