4 Year Old Cut Her Own Hair

Updated on January 15, 2009
A.R. asks from Knoxville, TN
69 answers

I woke up this morning to my daughters once all one length blonde hair that has taken over 4 years to grow in chopped off in a big chunk on her bangs. I am really upset. Has anyone else experienced this lately. I could use some words of encouragement and maybe a laugh. Needless to say I had to give her an emergency haircut this morning. She is now sporting a chin length bob with some chunky semi straight bangs!!!!!!!!! I am a banker not a hairdresser. LOL!!!!

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So What Happened?

Thaks for all of your stories. It gave me a good laugh. Her hair really looks decent at best. The only part that is really bad is a small part on the side which thank god her big chunky bangs cover. On Chirstmas Eve before Church she asked me if she could put this bow in her hair. She said maybe it will cover my bald spot. I laughed so hard. She actually does have a bald spot but you can't see it!!! Too funny.

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J.V.

answers from Portland on

Awww I'm sorry that would totally bum me out too...my daughter almost three has barely any hair...I await that day to happen.....it scares me. My sympathy is with you :(

J.

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Joine: http://portland.citymommy.com

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A.C.

answers from Charleston on

OMG My almost 4YO did the same thing this morning. I've been trying to get her hair all one length but she cut a chunk out of her bangs cause they were in her eyes (I was wrapping presents and left the scissors out). I just left it maybe after enough people ask her what she did she will realize it was not a good idea cause she doesnt like when people ask her questions LOL

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T.C.

answers from Knoxville on

Take photos. One day you will see the humor and appreciate the humor, perhaps not today or this week though. Look at it this way, you saved money on a haircut. And it is winter so if necessary she can wear hats for a few months.

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V.C.

answers from Wheeling on

I'm sure the hair meant more to you (and maybe Daddy) than it does to her. After all, it DOES grow back. My kids never did this, but it's kind of par for the course that if something is important to parents, kids want to find out 'why?'. I have 4 grown kids and 3 little 'Grands', and the middle 'Grand' (boy) is very sensitive and gentle natured, but if you tell him NOT to do something, that's when he decides it's time to find out 'why not?', and he goes and does it! EEK!

My sister cleaned house years ago for a doctor's family of 3 little boys. One morning she went to the house and found one of the boys with a very 'unusual' haircut, and asked him, "Who cut your hair?" His response: "I cut it, and Mommy cut it, and Daddy cut it, and the barber cut it!" LOL

When I was in second grade this sister of mine (9 yrs older) cut my hair for my school pictures, and she kind of 'ran out of hair before the job was done', if you know what I mean. I also had my 2 front teeth out and held my mouth shut (which is unusual for me! LOL). I was mortified when the pictures came, but it's now probably my favorite (and most memorable) school picture.

This, too, shall pass!

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D.D.

answers from New York on

Many years ago I got a tearful phone call from my friend across the street. Preschool pictures with being done first thing in the morning and her daughter had just cut her bangs 'because they were in my eyes'. She had 2 boys before having a girl and I had 2 girls at the time so she wondered if I could take a look and see if there was a fix.

I went over and Annie had cut a clump out of her bangs right in the middle and right up to the root. Well gel could have kept the rest of the bangs back along with a couple little hair clips but I gave my friend a hug and told her to just let them take the picture with the clump cut out of the bangs. It'll be the most precious picture you'll look at in a few years. She did just that. Annie is now 24 yrs old and every time I look at that picture it makes me smile.

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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

Awww... what is it about four year olds and cutting their own hair? My daughter, who is also four (surprise, surprise), took some scissors to the hair on the right side of her face. She always parts her hair to the right, so it was a little unnoticeable. That night at dinner, she had what looked like long bangs that swept her face. My husband, who never notices anything I do with my hair...drastic or subtle, asked her if she had cut her hair. She tried to lie and say she didn't. Days later, I found the scissors outside in the bushes!

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M.R.

answers from Pensacola on

Hi A.,

My girls are 18 and 22 now. The oldest did this the night before her first ballet recital! We had been growing her hair out so that it could go up in a bun with no bangs. We ended up using a tube of super gel to hold all the little pieces up -- she had the shiniest head on stage!

I do have to warn you it doesn't end! My youngest came home at 17 and had cut off all of her beautiful long, long, long, blondish-brown hair to a chin length bob - died it jet black with very blonde streaks! She loved the effect so we just let it go and she has since gone back to a more natural color.

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T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter cut her's when she was young, she came in with hair sticking every which way. I thought she'd gotten into the pancake syrup since we'd had pancakes that morning, no she'd cut her hair. One clump right in the front down to the skin (at least she didn't cut herself). She was embarrassed by the look, that didn't stop her for trying it again, she also cut up dad's textbook, I made her tell him she had done it. Needless to say when she started school I had to explain why she didn't know how to cut things, I never let her play with scissors!
Now she's getting it back her son had just been to the barber shop, he had to have some hair on top because of cowlicks in the back, he cut his so bad that all the barber could do was buzz it all off, at least he didn't charge for the second cut!! Just had to give you a laugh, things happen that you can't change with your kids so you go on and tell the story when your able!

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A.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I know this is late but I thought I would share a story too.
When my now 9 year old was 4, she cut her hair because she wanted bangs. Now her hair was also one length and fairly long, but she took the scissors and layed them flat against her head and cut clear back to the back of her head and it was right on her part and towards the middle. There was no way to fix it. We ended up cutting her hair shorter to try to help, but there was no way to hide it. I remember looking at her and crying. It was the day before we were suppose to get family pictures. But she absolutely loved her hair. So, try to be positive for her and wait for it to grow. All of my girls have done it. Welcome to the club.

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P.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I am also a little late on this one, but I felt the need to respond. I did this to my hair approximately around the same age. Well, my mom tried to fix it (not good) she made it worse; she had to call my babysitter to come over and fix it really late at night. The sitter could have died when she seen my hair and what my mother had done trying to fix it. An older cousin of mine happen to see me a few days after the babysitter had fixed it (now being extremely short) he was hysterical and gave me a nickname (Billy Boy) he said I looked just like a little boy at that point. I am now 32 and to this day he calls me Billy Boy. Sometimes what we think is tragic at the time turn out to be the best memories!
Good Luck!

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C.B.

answers from Charlotte on

You may have a budding hair stylist on your hands. My hair stylist charges me $35 for a cut so by the time your daughter is 20 years old she will be making $50 per hair cut. Not a bad idea to tell her to keep up the good work! Practice makes perfect. LOL! Oh and the best part is she will have to fix your hair for free!! Merry Christmas!!

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C.R.

answers from Knoxville on

I have sons but the all decided at one time or another to cut there hair or each others. My mother when she was 6 or 7 went to school dressed and primped for class pictures. She decided that she did not like the way her hair was so chopped one side off. She had hair that was a little longer than her shoulders. Her mother had put barrettes in and curled her hair. This apparently took over 2 hours because Mom would not sit still. She then went to the photographer and stood in line to wait for her turn. The adults all asked what happened to her hair. Her reply was "I just did not like the way it looked so I needed to fix it. I was going to cut all of it but I know my mom would cry if I cut all my curls so I left some for her!" My grandma about had a cow when she went to school to pick her up and saw her. My mom came running out all excited about her new look and said "Mom I knew you would cry so I left you some curls" My grandma said she was so mad that all she could do was laugh.

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M.W.

answers from Huntington on

lol!!! I have 7 kids, so this has happened more than oce here! Once my dd cut all the hair on the right side of her head, leaving the left side long. Another time, a ds cut his sisters hair (at her request) and gave her bangs, cut right up at the scalp.
Words of encouragement: TAKE A DEEP BREATH, hair grows! No permenent damage.
M.

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L.O.

answers from Charlotte on

Most 4 and 5 year olds cut their own hair at some point. Take some photos, because one day you will treasure them, even if you are not so happy today.

Personally, I was a late bloomer in this department. On the night before our formal family portrait was taken when I was 8, my mom kept saying she needed to trim my bangs. She had just had my 6th sibling a few weeks before, the twins and one other brother were still in diapers, our nanny was on vacation for two weeks and as you can imagine, my mom was busier than a one armed paper hanger!

Wanting to help I went and got the pinking shears from her sewing room and proceeded to trim my own bangs, right up to my scalp. It was atrocious, at best.

My parents went ahead with the portrait the next day and now it is one of the most treasured family momentos we have.

So one day, you'll cherish that self-barbered look. :)

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R.M.

answers from Lexington on

You are not alone. I have 4 children and all of them have cut some part of their hair at one time or another. However, to help you through this time, let me tell you about one of the stories. My girls are 16.5 months apart. They decided to play beauty shop one day when they were 2 & 3. I found a trail of barbie hair leading to the bathroom....then it turned into real hair....they had tried to cut each other's hair. We fixed my youngest daughter's hair by layering it but my oldest's hair was unsavable, well at least her bangs were. They were cut down to the scalp. So take this time, read my story, have a laugh, it could have been worse!!! LOL

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S.G.

answers from Rapid City on

I love this question. I wish I had seen it earlier..lol. I had to put in my story though, it is one I tell often.

When my daughter was born she was bald, completely bald so we waited a long time for the little blond curls that she had when she was 2. I went in to the room to check on her and her 3 year old brother to find those lovely blonde curls all over the floor, mixed in with a good chunk of straight brown hair. I could see where her brother cut her hair, she was once again bald, but couldn't see where she had cut his hair. None the less I spanked them both and marched them down the road to my mother in laws to have their hair trimmed up to look as decent as it could (well hers, neither of us could see where she had cut his). I told them both "Don't EVER EVER cut someones hair again!"

Well, a few days later I seen where my son's cowlick in the back (Dennis the Menis type) was starting to grow back, she had cut it completely down to the head but his hair was thick enough to hide it and we had a laugh about her hair cut.

Now comes the best part.... My daughter is 25 years old and is one of the most popular hair stylists in the town she lives in... I am positive that she wouldn't be one if I hadn't told her "Never EVER cut someones hair again!" It set her destiny at that moment.

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M.C.

answers from Nashville on

My daughter cut her hair when she was about 2 1/2. She took a chunk out right in the middle of the crown of her head. It stuck straight up for several months before finally growing out enough and getting the weight needed to lay back down again. =0) She's about to turn 5 now and there's no trace of it. I laugh out loud when I see pictures of her after it happened. They will be treasured pictures for when she's older with kids of her own! When she calls me to tell me her child cut their hair...I'll be able to chuckle and say, "been there, done that"! It's ok, mom.......it grows back quickly! Have a great Christmas!

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L.T.

answers from Fayetteville on

Hi A.!
I had to laugh when reading your story. It's so typical. Be glad she didn't try this with a friend - they can reach all areas of each other's head and no part is untouched! I freaked out once when I found hair the color of my daughter's all over the house, only to discover it came from one of her Barbie's. What a relief! How does she like her new hair? If she likes it, you're in trouble. She may try to cut it again. Try to explain that we go to the doctor when we're sick, we go to a salon to a professional to get our hair cut. Also, you may want to buy her one of those large Barbie heads where you can style her hair, so she can practice on Barbie instead of herself. My only other advice would be to hide the scissors! Look on the bright side, it's only hair and it will grow back. Besides, it's quicker and easier to take care of short hair. Good luck! L.

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T.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi A.,

I wish I had saw this one early also.

I too have a 4 year old daughter. Well back in October or September while at the dinner table doing her home work she decided she wanted to see what more could scissors cut besides paper. She had about 16 long black twist in her hair with barretts on the end and turned around to give me one of them. I freak outed and then she turned to me with those BIG BROWN EYES and said Mommie I want you to put my hair back on. I then felt bad for her and left the room because I needed to laugh.

No worries it does grow back.

Let's enjoy our curious girls.

T.

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P.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Oh, my goodness, did this bring back memories! At four years old, my first daughter had thick, beautiful, waist-length blonde hair. Unfortunately, it would tangle very easily and keeping it neat was an ongoing struggle. One day I sent her to her room to brush it, and when she'd been gone too long, I went to see what was happening. Turns out she'd gotten mad at her hair, grabbed a pair of scissors and cut off a hunk on one side right about shoulder level. I stared at it for a moment, then just said, "OK, go grab your coat. We've got to go get your hair cut." She was flabbergasted and really upset, but what was I going to do?? It was a huge amount she'd cut off, and it was a good 10 - 12" shorter than the other side!!! There was no way to hide THAT one!! So off we went to Hair Cuttery and got a cute little shoulder-length hair cut!! The stylist was horrified that I was going to cut off all that hair, but agreed with me that there was no way to fix it.

Then when my hubby came home and saw his blonde princess with a short 'do...... oh, my goodness......!!!

Memories, memories....... If this is the worst she does, be glad!!!

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R.C.

answers from Detroit on

For some reason my daughter never did this. Although her hair fell out as a baby and then again at 2 (changing colors) I might add. When it fell out at 2 it ended up being the "perfect mullet". Every one I know thought it was hilarious, as I am one of those high maintenence fashionista types. My sisters were constantly saying "Great, R. is the mom of the girl with the mullet!". Anyhow, all this eventually resulted in very pretty hair which she now sports in a very sassy stacked bob at age 6!

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B.C.

answers from Cheyenne on

A., your comment about the bow in her hair was so cute! :) I cut my own hair when I was 5yo and ended up with a "boy cut" to make it all match. My niece (4yo) just cut her own hair two weeks ago and now has very short hair as well after getting it fixed the best they could. Like everyone said, thank God hair grows back!

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M.B.

answers from Topeka on

Hi A.! Why is it that all children do this??? Mine have!! And the curious thing is that I myself can NEVER find a pair of scissors when I need them but my children can and it's never good. LOL!!
M. B.

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S.T.

answers from Johnson City on

My daughter cut her hair, but it wasn't that drastic. My thought is that it's just hair. It will grow back. If SHE is upset by it, use it as a reminder as to why scissors are for cutting only paper. My daughter didn't care and she actually cut her hair a second time (I thought all of the scissors were out of reach, but I guess not!)

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L.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Oh, this posting brings back the memory of what my charming 6 year old son did to his adorable little 3 year old sister way back when...
He used the rather large "hedge trimmers" to cut off her waist length hair! He knew the punk look before Madonna started it all! I, too, was in shock. But, I should have seen it coming when he cut all the hair off my daughters Barbie dolls in the sandbox! Oddly enough, just yesterday, as a joke, I put that photo in my daughters Facebook and read this posting today. But, it is a fun memory now. THOSE days go way too fast. ENJOY the moment!

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A.H.

answers from Champaign on

Yep, had it happen with my daughter too. Everyone mentions putting the scissors out of reach but my girl found her dad's wirecutters on the counter that he had left out briefly after installing a ceiling fan. Thank goodness she didn't get a finger! She was hysterically crying when I found her so hopefully she learned the lesson. She has been told nobody cuts her hair or anyone else's (I worry about little sister) except the "hair lady". She also said she "didn't want to be bald like daddy". Luckily it was a chunk off the right side about 3 inches shorter than the rest so we took her to the salon and cut off 2-3 inches and put in some longer layers so it blended pretty well. Good luck!

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A.W.

answers from San Diego on

Im a bit late on this one but I had to respond :)
I am a victim of my own hair cutting antics! When I was four I grabbed a hold of my bangs and off they went! My Mom has pics of me and they arent pretty...I also noticed I wore a lot of hats afterwards :)
Well now that Im a parent...my son also did the same thing at the age of four. He walked in (when he was supposed to be napping) and said "Mommy, look what I did" Oh Lord it wasnt pretty...he chose random spots all over his head and cut chunks of hair all the way to the scalp, luckily without hurting himself at all. We had to buzz his head almost bald...he looked sickly! He is 14 now so I hope he has grown out of this stage ;)

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M.W.

answers from New York on

I also cannot help myself, but respond to this now! When I was in second grade - my parents were going to parent - teacher conferences at school. My mother knew this teacher and had asked a couple times if anyone had been 'put in the corner for talking' yet (this was October). I told her no - except that someone had - at least 2-3 times by that point - me! So - they went, found that out and when she came home - she came in to ask why I lied to her - but asked how my eyebrow length bangs got to be a very crooked inch long!! Then we talked about me getting put in the corner and lying!

This certainly brought back memories! Scissors are enticing! Happy New Year!!!!

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A.W.

answers from Washington DC on

A. be thankful that you could cut your daughter's hair into a chin lenth bob. The morning of my daughter's 5th birthday I woke up to hair all over her floor. She had cut plugs out of her hair with the little sissors that they use in kindergarden. I had to get her hair cut like a boy. If it wasn't for earrings you would not have known she was a girl.

A. W

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L.H.

answers from Raleigh on

Both of my kids have done it, too! For my son, his hair is so short it was never a big deal, but whenever my daughter did it (and unfortunately she did it more than once), it was always glaringly obvious---huge chunks out of sides or out of the bangs. We got to the point where we had to hide all the scissors. She's 7 now and wants really long hair, so no more worries about her cutting it. I know it's upsetting now, but in the long run it'll be just another funny story to tell!

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L.H.

answers from Hickory on

No advice, just a confession. I did the same thing the night before my kindergarten pictures. My mom liked to have killed me!!!!
L.

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L.M.

answers from Madison on

Hi A. -- I'll never forget the time -- I was about six -- when my best friend told me that if I cut my eyelashes (CUT MY EYELASHES!) they'd grow back in thicker. My mother never forgot either...

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C.C.

answers from Knoxville on

It was bound to happen, I don't know a four year old who has NOT cut their own hair - or their younger sibling's! Just grin and bear it. It could definitely be worse - I know one little boy who cut his younger sister's hair - in the back instead of the bangs, so she spend several months with a little boy haircut! Maybe you could make sure the sissors are put up where she can't get at them until she outgrows this stage. It will pass - to be replaced with something else, like wanted to dress herself in crazy outfits! Never a dull moment with kids!!!

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S.R.

answers from Austin on

I have to admit... I was a hair cutter. My hair, my dolls hair, didn't matter. I had hair to my waist and I would sneak and cut my bangs and the hair by my neck. Plenty of photo's with my lovely self inflicted hair cuts. Good thing about hair, is that it always grows back!

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M.S.

answers from Asheville on

A. R - I was smiling while reading your request - my sister and it did the same thing and we love telling the story - there are three of us girls - we are all within a year of each other - when we were very young (about 4-6) we all had very long blonde hair - down to our waist - that summer it was so hot! - mom had our hair parted in the back with ponytails on each side hanging down in front of us - my younger sister and I were going to cut our hair short - however we heard our dad come in the back door so we ran behind the bedroom door - since we didn't have time for the "full cut" - I quickly cut one of her ponytails and she cut off one of mine - we were so happy to have short hair because of the heat - Daddy was so upset but Mom just went with it and cut the other ponytails giving us a page boy cut - needless to say it took a long time for it to grow out - I never did like the short hair and to this day wear my hair med/long - my sister wears hers short/medium - just go with it - don't make it a big deal - it will be great to have a "story" to tell over the years! its just hair - it will grow back

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Oh you have to take her in for photos. It is just part of life and should be captured!

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R.G.

answers from Louisville on

A., the best counsel I can offer is ... re-read Melody's comments. Nothing to add.

But remember, if you don't like it, wait awhile. It'll grow on ya!

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K.H.

answers from Huntington on

Not that you NEED another story...

My 4yo neice cut her waist-length blonde curls off above her ears. My sis sent us pictures. The first time I saw her her severely shory bob in person, I didn't recognize her. Not only were the curls gone (and never to return, by the way) but her remaining hair was so dark, it was almost brown.

Welcome to the sorority!!! You passed through hazing!

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

lol i think we have all been there! i remember when i cut my own hair i thought i looked great! well not so much lol.... explain to her that only adults cut hair not little girls and see if you can get her in to a place that does hair cuts on kids im sure they see this all the time and might be able to fix it. im louisville we have a place called cookie cutters but look in the phone book if you are not in louisville im sure you could find some place

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M.T.

answers from Nashville on

Take a picture and don't think another thing about it. That is one of those milestones in life that is memorable that you will talk about for the rest of your life. Don't sweat the small stuff. Show her the pic when she is a teenager and tell her of the trauma. Chill out, relax, and live life to its fullest.

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K.G.

answers from Detroit on

I know that I am a little late but I fear this! I have 3 girls 5, 3, and 1. When ever I give the girls a hair cut I always remind them that ONLY mommy cuts thier hair. My 5 yro has long blond hair to about the middle of her back and keeps talking about wanting it shorter. I am seriously thinking about cutting it for her so she doesn't take matters into her own hands!!

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J.D.

answers from Louisville on

lots of girls have cut their hair like you describe including this 56 year old writer, my granddaughter did it when she was 4 too i was 4 or 5 it is a common funny thing some of us do, so laugh and then keep the sissors out of reach

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L.H.

answers from St. Louis on

I just got the request so I know I'm way late but I had to tell you about the time when I was about 3 or 4 & I cut my hair. Apparently what happened was that I had decided to take my scissors & cut my hair & from what my mom said it looked as though i'd stuck my head in a weed whacker & lost! There were places where I'd cut my hair down to the scalp..It was terrible. Luckily my mom had been a hairdresser at one point in her life (she still my hair as well as some of my friends to help us save some $). I wish she had taken a picture of my little hack job ( I think my dad said he'd wanted to because he thought it was so funny). My mom gave me the cutest pixie cut to cover up what I had done. I looked like a cupie doll, it was adorable! I'm tellin ya, if my kids ever do that, it's off to grandma's for a haircut! LOL! Thanks for sharing your story.
L.

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C.

answers from Charlotte on

I have two daughters, and they both did this when they were small. My oldest even cut her sister's hair once. They are now 13 and 8, and I laughed when I read this. Believe me, it really will be funny someday!

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T.H.

answers from Charlotte on

There is not a kid I know that hasn't done this! SO funny when you look back on it. My little sister did it the day before she was to be a flower girl in my brothers wedding! Yikes really short like to the scalp. My two kids I've threatend like over and over don't ever do that. I think it's just something kids want to do it's fun! My worry is poking an eye out with scissors mainly. Don't stress too much about it. It's only hair - right... it could have ended in a bad way.

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N.T.

answers from Chattanooga on

Welcome to my world! lol. My daughter cut her a couple weeks ago, along w/ her brothers. That would make the 3rd time in as many yrs. But this past time was the worst, chunks missing. We had to go & get her hair cut into a bob. It's frustrating, and irritating. I was so mad, I couldnt see straight. But the anger does go away, along w/ the saddness of the hair lost. Give it about a week, and you'll be good. And as much as I loved to say.."it'll only happen once", chances are, she'll do it again. So take a deep breath, and remind yourself, it'll grow back =)

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D.M.

answers from Hickory on

Oh, wow! I had to weigh in on this one. My 4 year old did the same thing, and I burst out crying! She was so MAD at me because she thought she had done something wonderful! When I dried my tears, I didn't punish her(she was just experimenting)but I did put all scissors out of her reach for awhile and took her to a professional hairdresser to fix it. I think most kids do this, but somehow it is worse when its a girl with long hair! It will grow back. And think of the funny story you will have to tell her some day.

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R.U.

answers from Nashville on

hi, i am a 48 yr old mom of 7. 28 to 8. when i was about 3 my mother had gone out for the evening and had highered a sitter. when she got home she went to use the bathroom and there in the trash was all of my very blond hair. she ran to the sitter how by now was sitting on the cough crying. turned out that my 5 yr. old brother had put the set down on the toilet and put me up the and gave me a hair cut for witch he was very proud. needless to say, mama was't very happy with the cut. the next day she took me ti the beauty shop and a very short pixie wouldn't even fix it. by the way, the babysitter did come back to babysit us. and my hair did grow back. very slowly. it will be okay. now you have a story to tell her when she gets older. merry christmas, R.

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

A., I saw your follow-up and had to read the original posting - how funny! My daughter, who is now 33 years old, cut her hair when she was about three. She had these little electric safety scissors that were shaped like a red fish - they weren't supposed to cut fingers, etc., but apparently the manufacturer didn't think about hair! On a Sunday morning I was getting her ready for church and decided to pull her hair up in a pony tail - when I did, the right side just sort of fanned back down! She had cut underneath her hair so I didn't see it the day before! But, at least she cut it straight and only in that one place. I was able to sort of angle it in on both sides and leave her very long, very thick, curly hair alone in the back, but MAN, was I upset! Anyway, I think every child does this. There's a pic on my parents wall of my three brothers and me and my middle brother has this little fringe of bangs across his forehead...yep, the day before the pix he trimmed his hair. Hee Hee! The good thing is that it will grow back...it just seems like it takes forever! God bless! S.

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V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

It's the age. My 4 yr old cut hers too. My 5 yr old boy did it at Kindergarten when a sub teacher was there and they were doing a craft... Just remind her (often) that only Mommy or the stylist at the salon cuts hair...
:))

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R.B.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi A.!
I know it's a few days passed since your posting and I'm not sure what all of them have been, but here's another...

Nope you won't ever get over it. And, it won't ever be funny. But it will be a lesson learned. All kids do it, some more than once, or twice, or three times. Keep the scissors out of view and pray neither she nor someone else will ever find them.

Here's one of my stories...My second daughter has platinum blonde hair. When she was 3, it was down to her derriere. It hung in ringlets, and she called it 'Punzel (Rapunzel) hair. We had some friends from out of state come visit, and they decided to play beauty shop. A few days later, I noticed that several of Hannah's ringlets were missing. After further inspection, they had given her a rather nice layering job. I was so mad! I didn't notice sooner because of the texture of her hair.

Anyway, yes I think it happens to everyone. You have to just take it in stride and then take lots of pictures. It's great blackmail when they're 14!

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C.P.

answers from Memphis on

A., I promise you will look back on this and laugh in a few years. My sister and I did this when we were young, and now it's one of the funniest stories we have from our childhood. Hair grows out, and kids can do some crazy things sometimes. Relax, and just be thankful she didn't cut herself. lol We have to find the brighter side of things when they do these kind of silly things. Afterall, what's done is done. Remember.... PICK YOUR BATTLES! Merry Christmas!!!

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L.J.

answers from Houston on

Just before My daughter turned 3, just before Christmas, and thankfully Just after we had some sears pix taken, she decided to use her craft kiddy cutters, and they DO work on kids hair! She is now 21, and cutting it back then led to a "big deal" haircut..... and I think it may have helped it come in thicker! She went from flowy dark thinner hair, to very thick straight hair. We had an "Ooops when she was about 12 at a salon, when we went back we tried to let the girl feel better an fix it,. which was a disaster! Went to another shop, and she ended up with a very Boy haircut, which she dreads the pix of,....... But it grew back in Curly ringletty all over. She is the envy of all of us who have to get perms for such beautiful hair!
Enjoy the seasons!

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D.R.

answers from Portland on

I haven't ever posted on here before but I kind of wanted to on this one.

Abby wasn't the typical child that you hear of putting beans in their nose or swollowing pennies or wetting the bed at night. I only have one child. She was a preemie at 27 weeks and is doing great. Stong willed as heck. We lost her father in Oct 2007 she has had a tough time dealing with that.

But it was Super Bowl Sunday 2008 (just two months before my 25th class reunion...yes I'm old) a friend of mine had offered to watch Abby for me so I could go scrapbook. Abby was behind the couch and my friend Tami could hear snip snip....so she got up and looked behind her, gasped and there was MOST of Abby's hair. Her long long hair. She cut each side up to the EAR and cut into the back of the length. I call that haircut a three generational haircut since Abby cut it, I cut it to "fix" her mistake, and my mom cut it to "fix" my mistake and I ended up taking her to a stylist. There wasn't much more to do but sit and wait for it to grow. And wait. And wait. Not long after that she found another pair of scissors I didn't know we owned and her hair was pulled back from the bangs area and she took the scissors and snipped INTO the portion that was pulled back. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY! It is growing praise the Lord...but it's taking it's sweet time!

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A.C.

answers from Raleigh on

My almost 3 year old, cut her bangs yesterday. This is the third time she has cut her own hair. I guess we need to hide the scissors better. This time, she did a pretty decent job! We asked her why she cut it and she said b/c "it gets in my eyes."

Our oldest daughter, now 9, cut her hair at the pony tail holder when she was 4. It was a pretty short pony tail to begin with and she ended up with a cute chin length bob because of it. Then, one of her brother's cut it at the scalp about 2 years ago. All of her hair is past her shoulder's now, except that one spot, which stood up straight for a long time, that spot is now about to her ears. You will laugh one day, but I am in the same boat with the emergency, Christmas hair cut.

Good luck!

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K.D.

answers from Raleigh on

I don't know why- but they all do it. My son and daughter both did! Take a photo so you can show her later and just get someone to style it (layer it) so it blends in...My kids are 18 and 23 now and we look back and laugh! The world has not come to an end!

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R.B.

answers from Raleigh on

Someday you will look back on this & laugh. My kids haven't done it, but I did it as a kid & have some hideous family photos to prove it. I know a lot of people who's kids have done this. Hopefully it is a 1 time thing. I hope you took photos to show her when she is older. :)

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R.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Oh we MUST SEE A PICTURE!!!!!!!!

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L.S.

answers from Lexington on

Both my boys cut their hair. My oldest only did it once but my youngest did it at preschool, the neighbors house (one side of their cat got it too) and kindergarten. This last time he cut it almost to the root and it's still growing out. Now everyone is asking why I didn't send out Christmas card pictures like I usually do.

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R.P.

answers from Memphis on

It must be a 4 year old thing. When my now 8 year old daughter was 4, she cut her hair. ALL of it. Her hair was halfway down her back when this happened. When it was all over, it was about 1-2 inches long after taking her to get a haircut to fix it as best we could. Thankfully, she learned her lesson. I have a 3 year old now and her hair is still baby fine and short, so, hopefully, I won't have to worry about that with her!

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T.S.

answers from Lexington on

I am way late on this...but i have a funny story. My DD was 3 i think, its been about a year since this happened and we just got her hair almost one length. She had blond hair down to her bottom, all one length think and just a little curl to it. well her daddy and her grandpa were babysitting her while i was at work. I get a fantic phone call from her dad and he shows up at my work, she has cut over 10inches of hair off, from her ear to the back of her head, it was a straight line but all the way to the scalp. she left the other side as long as it was, so she had a half mullet. I called my best friend who dose hair and she came to our house and fixed it the best she could. but for a year she had a mullet, we did side pony tales, parted it to that side, now she has a bob that is shorter in the front and longer in the back. she is so excited that she finally gets to let her hair grow back out. we have had a lot of conversations about her use of scissiors.

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C.R.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi - your post reminds me of last year when my 7 yr old son cut my 4yr old daughter's hair. And her hair takes forever to grow. After I stopped freaking out, my son explained that he was just trying to do what she wanted. I had mentioned that I needed to trim her bangs earlier that day, so she decided that she wanted her hair cut, and Jack found her with scissors in hand...so he tried to help her out! I took her to a hair stylist friend and she ended up with a pretty cute "bob"...
Great thing about hair...that growing back thing...

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D.H.

answers from Seattle on

I'm way late...but oh too funny now that it's over. I was lucky that out of 6 kids, only 1 cut their own hair. It was defiance more than anything. He wanted a buzz cut and his dad told him absolutely not. Anyway, he went in the bathroom, grabbed all his hair from what I have gathered, and cut at the scalp from the forehead back to the crown, right down the middle...looked like a reverse mohawk! Anyway then he came out and said "now can I have a buzz cut?" We told him yes...in one week. Didn't want to reward bad behavior and in this case it was just that...manipulative behavior. For a week he wore it like that to school, etc, and a week later we buzzed his hair. He's 27 now. BUT to tattle on myself, I was cutting one of my boys' hair with trimmers, and the trimmer thingy fell off and balded my son in one place...devastated me! The joke around here is "let ** get his hair cut from mom first and if the clipper doesn't fall off she can do me too!" I also remember the Flo bee, does anyone else remember that? It cut your hair but attached to your vacuum to suck up the mess as it cut? Well, my husband ordered one and decided to let me be his test dummy....uh! worst hair cut I ever had and everyone wanted to know what happened!!! Oh, just makes me cringe to think about it. never took a pic. I don't think...

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S.P.

answers from Goldsboro on

Think positive make it her first trip to the hair stylist. I am sure she is not the only one to do this. Keep smiling maybe it grow back fast.

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T.H.

answers from Louisville on

I am totally like you! When my daughter was 5 years old in kindergarten she had a substitute teacher one day. She and I had talked about getting her hair trimmed after school that morning. Well guess what! We had to get a major haircut.... She had cut her own hair at school!!! I was freaking out so bad. The sub didn't seem to be upset at all. I wanted to hit her for this happening under her supervision. She just handed me the hair back in an envelope like I could surgically replace it or something... I tell you I made an appointment with the hairstylist (which happened to be a friend) and I was so histerical . So I can definatly relate to this. Sorry it happened to you as well. You will get through it. T. H

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E.R.

answers from Jackson on

this is normal some only try to cut there bangs but my daughter started in the back what a desaster lol.sadly my daughter made such a mess that I couldnt straten it out and i'm a licensed cosmetologist so after I did the best I could we went to daycare and the lady that has worked with children for over 16 years made her hair presentable.yet she got alold of the sizzers twice after that again starting in the back so hide your sizzers.and tell her that she cant cut her hair.god bless and merry christmas.

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B.L.

answers from Jacksonville on

My son did this at age 4, and looked ridiculous with a buzz cut. He had hacked a big chunk right out of the front. My niece did it as well when she was that age, cutting off all her lovely, curly bangs. My three-year-old son left a tuft of hair on the floor in my bathroom the other day, then talked about cutting his hair the next day. It's just the age. Take pictures to laugh at later. Tell her how ugly her hair was when she did that to it, and show her pictures of it if you took any. We did that with my older son, and he didn't do it again.

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M.M.

answers from Detroit on

I loved this question..........I think all kids go thru that at one point or another......that reminds me of my younger son, when he was about 5, he decided to cut his hair..........he took a sissors and cut a huge chunk of it right above his forehead in the middle. I took him in for a haircut, but it didn't really help much.......it showed a lot where he had cut his hair. We eventually had to give him a crewcut to even it out.
You should take a picture of her with her hair cut like that and that way you could show it to her when she grows up......you can both get a good laugh out of it later.
lol

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S.U.

answers from Raleigh on

my daughter had beautiful brunette long curly hair, I came in the bathroom one day to find her with absolutely no hair in the bangs area... it was awful! It will grow out of course, but it's so hard to stomach looking at it for so long. I never intended bangs for her, much less chopped off too short bangs! I year ya!

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