If your childs childcare carer shaved her head...

[MrsFabuloso]

I think the scarves and beanies are a good transitions for the kids. Particularly if you work in the babies/toddler room. Kids can be funny about his sort of thing! If parents and/or the director don't mind maybe you could talk to the older kids about why you want to do it. Just a basic talk about the reasoning of it and maybe a little about your religion? Maybe have some pictures or books about it. It could be a gateway into a really great project!!

[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.

[Visitor9]

As my four year old has a urgent need of knowing all the ins and outs of everything at the moment. I'm sure she would love to know and maybe have one half an hour session before you did shave it to ask all the questions that the kids have. Maybe on a Thursday or a Friday and then have the shave over the weekend. This would give the kids an opportunity to tell the parents and prepare them. If E came home and said "Karen" is shaving her head because she believes in something so much and she feels it is important to her...I'd think good on the CC centre for educating E on a change. I'm sure missy would also add she is going to be exactly the same and I am allowed to touch it "once" LOL.

But in saying that , it really wouldnt bother me unless it changed the way that they treat and care for my child...

[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.

[Rainbow_Mumma]

i wouldnt care its your hair/head to with as you please! DH wants me to shave mine lol he thinks id look hot haha

back to the point if you want to do it then do it hun, the boss has ok'd it, its for reasons that follow your religion (can i ask what it is you believe in? hope that didnt come out wrong!) who gives a rats what other people think! As long as you are happy with it, Shel and Jaz are happy thats all that matters

[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

[Fleur]

I wouldn't mind in the slightest.
The only problem I would have would be my curiosity...I would be wondering why, and too shy / polite / whatever to ask

[CrazyLady]

I wouldn't mind if the person minding my child shaved their head. It could be a tad daunting to the kids though. I dyed my hair last week and DD was really alarmed and clingy for a little while so maybe warn kids AND parents so parents can help kids with a negative reaction. As far as someone's hair and style etc it's a case of "meh, whatever floats your boat"

[[M]umma[M]ia]

Nah i wouldnt have a problem with it at all. But if DD had gotten used to u, it might take her abit to get used to the new do.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

As a parent, I like to know in advance if something major is changing with DS's childcare. While I wouldn't have a problem with a haircut, such a drastic one may affect DS therefore it would be nice to know. Also I'm nosy so would like to know why. (I am nosy -why are you doing it?) But I wouldn't have a problem with it. The beanie transition may be a good idea.

I do have a problem with facial piercings on childcare workers, but only because DS is a grabber. I'd hate for him to rip a chunk out of someone's face because he wanted to grab at the "pretty". He's just about trained out of it, but it's not something I would like to risk. Not being smallminded, just cautious.

[blessedatlast]

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

I was horrified!!!! Lol.. I think it is fine though, if you want to do it.. If it is a drastic change and you feel you should do some pre warning, well do so. The fact you are even asking says to me you think it may have some sort of negative reaction??? Anyway, If it were me, I wouldn't worry, what people do with their hair is the least of my worries lol..

[Indadhanu]

Thanks everyone
Though I think BB might be the wrong target to ask LMAO, not much shocks you all!

LZ... and everyone else who asked... I'm Buddhist, and a part of Buddhism is embracing non-attachment. It's something I've never really understood but at the beginning of this year I began learning on non-attachment. Shaving my head is a practice in non-attachment. Monks and nuns do it as a part of being monastic, but they keep their hair short. I don't *have* to do it, in fact I doubt most Buddhist's would, but the thought has come to me a few months ago and the more I meditate on it in relation to non-attachment, the more I feel that would be a really positive experience for me

I think the way I'd explain it to parents would be to say just that. Probably leaving out the meditation bit and just say that it is right for me right now, and that if anyone wants to know more or chat to me then I'm very approachable
I think I'll actually talk to each of the parents in the room I work in and let them know, and just leave a note in pockets for the other rooms.

[Iona Macca]

I have no probs with it at all. One of DS's carers shaved her head but it was for shave for a cure so we all knew about it as we all donated or sponsored her. The children had no issues with it, they still knew who she was and nothing changed, she just had no hair!!

[sloane]

i think it's great you're considering the parents'/children but i def wouldn't have a problem with it. we're looking into childcare at the moment & i'm wondering what they'll think of my DP's red & black mohawk!! (even though it's down & under a cap most of the time ). but i reckon with 'different' hairstyles, people may make judgements when they don't know you - say in the street - but if they know you then they'll be fine with it & just accept it as being part of you. you may get sick of requests to touch it though!

[Pandora]

I thought someone had shaved Jazz' hair too!

I wouldnt have an issue with it as a parent, and I wouldnt expect to be notified in advance, but if I was it would be nice becuase I could talk to them about it. DS freaks if DH shaves his beard lol so in his case it'd be good to get warning but Im not going to fussed if i dont.
Two teachers at DS' daycare shaved their heads last year, I think it was shave for a cure but Im not sure, I didnt ask.

[Indadhanu]

Well I did it Wednesday arvo and so far so good

Got a few double takes from parents hahahahaha the younger kids haven't really noticed, the older kids have asked who am I, and am I still a girl (!!!) and it's opened up some good conversations on how appearance doesn't change who you are.

Got one strange comment from a mother, who didn't respond to me saying good morning and and then told her son I was a silly girl for cutting my hair. So I got a bunch of 4-5yo's calling me a silly girl for about 10 minutes. Wonderful...

[Glamourcide]

Pfft, silly mother, more like. There's always gotta be one... :/
Good on ya So the kids are all adjusting okay? How does Jazz like the new 'do?