It’s the nightmare before Christmas. She came home from school missing something—part of her hair.

My gasp first brought denial.

What do you mean what happened to my hair? Ummm…nothing?

But, it couldn’t be denied. After years growing out those bangs from her last hair-cutting mishap, she has bangs again.

Eventually, her denials led to tears and a confession. She was at the table and there were scissors in an oval basket and she did three cuts. Yes, there was hair all over the floor. No, no one noticed.

Lydia, what were you thinking?!?!

I’m going to be in trouble.

Yup, good call. Too bad she thought that and proceeded with her three cuts.

My gut reaction was no screen time the next day because…well…that seems to always be my gut reaction. But, after sitting back a bit and letting the beautiful sounds of an elementary winter band concert jar my parenting wisdom into action, I decided that natural consequences may be more appropriate.

Good morning – just wanted to ask for some help from you guys. Since Lydia cut her own hair in class yesterday, we are no longer allowing her to use scissors without direct adult supervision until we can trust her again to use them in the right way. Can you please make sure this happens in class as well? I’m fairly certain she won’t do it again, but this is the natural consequence I thought was appropriate (that and having to wear a hair clip everyday while we grow out her bangs…again).

Kelly

Yes, I actually pulled out my iPhone and took this picture to send to her father who is in China right now to answer his question, “How are things going?”