If your childs childcare carer shaved her head...

[Indadhanu]

How would you react?

Would you want to be told before hand? In person or is a note ok? Would you be ok with it? Would you be MORE ok with it if you knew it was for a religious reason (even if you follow a different religion)?
Do you feel you need to 'prepare' your child for something like that?


Yes I am shaving my head. It'll be skin bald until it grows. I don't think I'll leave it bald, I'll let it grow until I find a length I want to keep it at. It is for religious reasons, not that I HAVE to shave my head but it's something I feel is what I'm meant to do at this stage of my journey. I work in childcare, with toddlers. I've spoken to my boss and she seems excited and happy for me to do this (not that she could say no but I respect any opinions she has), but wants me to 'be prepared' and we agreed that its important to also prepare others.

So, I appreciate all your answers.

[AliBaby]

Personally hun, I wouldn't mind at all. I am the sort of person who would rock up to CC and say to the carer, "I see you shaved your head, any particular reason or just because?" (in a friendly way).

So many reasons people shave their heads these days. Cancer, raising money for something, hair gone wrong and need to start over, or just personal choice. If it was just personal choice, I would probably say can I touch it and maybe say that you might be in need of a beanie in these cold months coming up! DD would probably want to touch it as well!

[Tinks]

I don't see a problem with it Leasha.

[Turkish Delight]

i don't see a problem with it either. I'd probably think "whoooooa" but thats about it.

[*Ash*]

I wouldn't have a problem with it either. Go for it!

[sneakysparkle]

i would have no issue whatsoever - but I think it would probably be nice to talk about it with the kids first - I think it would be something interesting for them!

[skybie]

i'd hve no issue with it!
DD1 waould probably give u a funny look and ask where ur hair had gone, but i dnt think it'd phase her.
well done hun, i couldnt do it!

[human bean]

I wouldn't have a problem with it - DD isn't in CC yet but I've worked in the industry for years so am imagining how I'd feel on the parent side of things.

The only thing I can think of is some of the toddlers might get a bit of a shock and take a little while to realise it's you! Only for this reason would I consider just letting the parents know verbally so they were prepared when they next bring their LO in if they react differently then normal when they first see you - depending on what age the toddlers are really depends on whether you can truly 'prepare' them .... hope I'm making sense.

[*Beema*]

I would probably look a bit surprised when I first saw it, but after that it would be all cool

Are you thinking of saying goodbye to your looooong hair?

[Lulu]

OMG I read it like what if the carer shaved your kids head!!!!

I wouldn't give a rats buddy. In fact there are a couple of mums at the school with shaved heads. One of them is soooo fricken beautiful to look at - but I think it radiates from her eyes.

ETA - Leash, if you do it - shave a mohawk first.....PLEEEASE!

[Floweryfields]

[QUOTE=Lulu;2312285]OMG I read it like what if the carer shaved your kids head!!!!

QUOTE]

Haha, me too!!

[luna moth]

Having been a CCarer for ages, I have been through a bunch of different hairstyles and colours. Sometimes the kids react a bit strangely - like it takes them a while to adjust - funnily enough moreso to a different colour than a different style though.

I've seen other staff go through changes too, and parents are always supportive, as long as they'r awesome carers (which of course you are)

One guy I worked with had brightly coloured streaks through his hair - it seemed to change almost weekly so we used to make playdough to match his hair!

[Indadhanu]

One guy I worked with had brightly coloured streaks through his hair - it seemed to change almost weekly so we used to make playdough to match his hair!

thats so funny!


As for the kids reactions, I'm thinking of starting to wear beanies and scraves now so that I can come in with it on and it won't be 'new'. Rather than always having hear with no beanies and then going to no hair with beanies. Dunno, seems like a good 'transition'?

[Kazbah]

Personally, I wouldn't mind. But it really depends on how you are perceived? I mean, if you're thought of as solid, dependable, sensible girl then it may be a shock, but if you're perceived as a bit funky, then hey!

The kids may have a different view than the parents, and if you were to tell the kids before then I'm sure it would be appreciated, specially if you do make it like a celebration - a countdown etc that they'd share with their parents?

Good luck hun

[Caramello]

If it helps, a colleague of mine, also a High School teacher, shaved her head for religious purposes after returning to the Gandis in India. She didn't explain it to the kids at all. I know we teach teenagers but still...

[Willow]

If it were just shaved I wouldn't think too much of it at all. But are we talking skin bald? As in no hair at all? Honestly, I'd be a bit puzzled by it and would be curious as to know why you'd done it. Not that I'd be concerned or need to know, just curious.

[Glamourcide]

Obviously chances are there will be small-minded parents and easily shocked kids... but if you worked at DD's daycare centre, we'd be stoked I'd probably just assume you'd Shaved for a Cure and DD1 is so used to having lots of family friends (and of course, parents) who have 'odd' hair, piercings, tattoos... nothing phases her these days when it comes to personal appearance. Really, I'd consider it none of my business - your head and hair is yours to do as you please with... I'm pretty open-minded about freedom of expression and really, I don't think working with small children should make a difference (IMHO stopping people who work with kids from, eg, having a lip piercing or dyeing their hair bright green is almost on the same level as discriminating against employees on the basis of race or sexuality - we're meant to be teaching our kids acceptance and diversity, so they should also be learning from an early age that so-and-so has x body feature that is not typical, but is normal, and doesn't make them any different from anybody else, kwim?)
Maybe if you're really concerned about the reaction, include in the daily activity rundown (assuming your centre has one in each classroom) that there was a cultural discussion on different religious practices including how some people shave off all their hair for religious purposes, parents might not be quite so surprised? I think the beanie/scarf transition is a great one, too

[Marlene]

I wouldn't have a problem with it at all, and I really don't see why parents would need to be notified at all. I think bringing it up with the kids is a good idea though, maybe just slip it in to story time or something, just so they don't get a big shock. Some kids can get fairly attached to their carers and might not recognise you with a shaved head, LOL.