“Mommy, can I have green hair for picture day?” my 4-year-old daughter, Lily, asks in her cheerful tone. Typically, such a question might come from a preteen or teenager, not a child so young.
“Maybe a braid or something simple would be nice?” I suggest.
“Okay, Mommy. But I really want to look pretty like you.”
At that moment, my heart melted. Here are three reasons why:
- She admires me and wants to emulate my style (currently featuring green hair).
- She perceives me as beautiful.
- She thinks my green hair adds to that beauty.
With preschool picture day fast approaching, the teachers have been actively communicating about it—sending emails, discussing it in class, and even putting stickers on the children’s clothes that read: “PICTURE DAY IS TOMORROW! WEAR BRIGHT COLORS! WEAR YOUR SMILE!”
I get it; it’s picture day. Prior to the green hair request, I had no intention of dressing Lily differently than usual. There were no plans for a fancy dress or elaborate hairstyle. Who has time for that? I certainly wasn’t waking up early to do anything beyond my morning routine, which consists of minimal grooming (typically just deodorant).
On a typical day, my daughter would head to school in her comfortable cotton play clothes, messy hair, and mismatched socks and sneakers. However, with her request for green hair, I began to consider the idea of dyeing her hair. The sticker’s instruction of “WEAR BRIGHT COLORS” felt like an invitation to embrace a more colorful look. We still have Halloween hair spray from last year lurking in the closet, though I’m aware it stains everything.
Then there’s option two: I have numerous jars of Manic Panic hair dye in my bathroom, which I could use to lightly color her hair ends.
Yes, I recognize that considering coloring my 4-year-old’s hair any color—especially a vivid one—might seem unconventional. I understand this may raise eyebrows. However, her desire to imitate me, especially with something as bold as green hair, makes me swoon with pride.
It’s one thing for Lily to compliment my eyes or jewelry, but when she says, “Mommy, I love your lips!” while I’m wearing bright red lipstick, or “I love your nails!” when they’re painted blue or black, it deepens that bond.
In our suburban community, unconventional styles are rare; it’s predominantly a capris and flip-flops, vanilla-everything kind of place. The only other person she sees with a unique style is me—her own mother—and perhaps that other mom with purple hair at story time last week.
So, does her admiration for my bright lipstick and bold nails mean I’ll consider her requests? Absolutely. While I might reserve lipstick for the weekends, I’d happily paint her nails in striking colors. And, of course, we can experiment with temporary tattoos.
Growing up, my mother was always supportive of my creative expressions. She let me attend school with colorful accessories and unique styles that reflected my personality.
If not for strict policies outlined in my daughter’s school handbook, I would have no reservations about dyeing her hair. However, I prefer to pick my battles with the school system, which often stifles creativity in children.
I feel it’s crucial to reward my daughter’s appreciation for beauty in unconventional forms. Green hair could be the first step toward her understanding and acceptance of diverse standards of beauty, including different body types, skin tones, and hair textures.
After picture day, I plan to indulge her with green hair chalk and a fun photo session. Rest assured, the chalk washes out easily. We’ll embrace her creative desires and capture the moment with playful selfies, all in the spirit of redefining beauty.
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In summary, while it may seem unconventional for parents to consider bold hair colors for their young children, it’s essential to foster a sense of individuality and creativity. Embracing these moments can help instill confidence and a broader understanding of beauty in children.
Keyphrase: Green hair for picture day
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