its official

every one of my children has now cut their own hair.

i guess i'd convinced myself that my youngest would not tread down the road to messed up haircuts - but apparently i was wrong. before i go into details - you must realize, this is more than 'just hair' in my household b/c in my household we don't grow hair very well. its always fine, baby fine hair that takes a long time to grow into a reasonable style.

A came to me last night and asked me if I'd cut M's hair. i've mellowed so much...i just said with a reluctant sigh...no. There was hair in the bathroom upstairs and i realized that i'd noticed M's hair looking a little 'off' but i figured it was hot and she was sweaty.

when i called her over i couldn't bear to really look (though i did today and its pretty bad but it could be hidden with the right part in her hair) i just told her to go to her room and that i was very, very angry. she cried - because going to her room is the ultimate punishment and its pretty rare that she gets punished.

i was reminded of when A cut her hair. she was about the same age and i found a chunk of hair in the bathroom while i was talking on the phone to her father. i was horrified, felt sick to my stomach and screamed - AAAA!! come here right now!!!!!

i held up the chunk of hair and asked her - where? where?? what is this?

she hung her head and started to tear up. she tapped her chest as if to say...yes, its mine. i shook, i stammered and i finally told her to go to her room because i was very, very angry.

while i continued to talk to my husband on the phone in an attempt to calm down, i heard A in her room. "oh God...my mom is so mad at me. I cut my hair God and she is really, really mad at me." i yelled out - what are you doing?? and she yelled back - I - AM TALKING TO GOD!!

when E cut her hair, it was a devastating again. she, of all my children, has the nicest hair. it was finally long enough to be a sweet bob to her shoulders and it looked nice without much effort (a luxury I'd not been afforded with A). again - big chunks of hair in the bathroom were discovered, the offending child brought in, mother shaking and trying not to lose it, sends the child to her room.

the next day while in the bath - she says "mama, i can't cut my hair, can i?" no baby. you can't. " and J - he can't cut my hair either right mama??"

hmm...

fast forward to the son being brought in and a similar scenario ensues as above - except this time, i say things like - how could you let your sister take the blame? what were you thinking? how would you like it if i let her cut your hair? and of course - go to your room!!

so, the cycle is complete. now they have all cut their own hair at some point (yes, even J - but its really not such a big deal when the boy does it...) and i have become downright blase about it because i guess i've learned that maybe it is 'just hair'. even when it means six months of pigtails in an attempt to hide the uneven pieces.