If your childs childcare carer shaved her head...

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.

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! :rofl: DD would probably want to touch it as well! :ROFL:

I don't see a problem with it Leasha.

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 :hug:

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!

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

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

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!

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!

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

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Haha, me too!!

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.

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?

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!

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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!

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:rofl: 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'?

I think that's a great idea Leasha.

From a mum's point of view you'd have my total support - but I'm sure there are parent out there who aren't as open minded too IYKWIM? Perhaps a little note to prepare the parents as well...like We've been talking about this....in preparation for....

I wouldn't have a problem with it ! My daycare lady would probably tell me she was going to do it, not just tell the kids, iykwim. Can you give the parents a heads-up of sorts, just to let them know? They can help transistion the kids too :)

I think some beanies and scarves now may be a good idea if you work with toddlers. Would be hard those first couple of mornings if they don't want to leave their parents to go to you because they're a bit shocked. Toddlers are like cats- no change please! :lol: But then they get over it quickly and I think it's nice to be able to share that experience with them.

With regards to the religious aspect, I would find that nice to hear as it's always good to hear about people's cultures and perspectives of the world. But as an atheist I'd be a bit irked if it was harped on and on about to my toddler. Which I'm sure you wouldn't do, just saying :)

I wouldn't mind. I think the kids would probably love it - well DS would, he's pretty exciting about new things. And then he'd probably let me cut his hair too.

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!!

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.

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...

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...

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.

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

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 :)

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 :lol:

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"

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.

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.

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

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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..

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.

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!!

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 :lol:). 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!

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.

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... :rolleyes:

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? :)

Jazz is fine, she was there when I did it so she just gasped and said OH NO when the hair was falling, then made a funny face and laughed when she touched it. I think with her, as long as I have boobies she'll still love me :p ;) Same goes for Shel too probably :lol:

I really detest narrow minded people! That mother had no right to say anything if she didn't have anything nice to say! Good on you for doing it for yourself!

Personally wouldnt worry me at all, and I think that DS would think it was cool!

best of luck.

Pffft - you know what I would tell you to say to that mother ;) I think you know me well enough now ;)

And as I said on facebook, it totally looks awesome!! I'd so do it again but I don't think I could down here, I'd definitely need a beanie - its freakin cold.. LOL