In a recent outing at the park with my son, a cyclist zoomed past and shouted, “There goes a little carrot top!” Had he lingered, I might have retorted that carrot tops are actually green. However, given the fleeting nature of his comment, I opted for silence—my previous attempts at clever comebacks during my own childhood had met with little success.
Every trip out with my son triggers a flurry of remarks about his striking curly red hair. The comments can be quite rude and lacking in consideration: “He’s going to be a handful!” or “That redhead will cause trouble.” Some even claim he “has no soul.” Yet, the most irritating inquiry dressed as a question remains: “Where did he get that red hair?”
As a child, I endured my share of teasing over my own auburn locks, which often led to my husband exchanging knowing glances with me when strangers approached us to comment on our son. Initially, he would direct attention to my hair, attempting to deflect the scrutiny. When that failed, he resorted to a more straightforward answer: “Me, obviously.” This, too, didn’t quiet the inquisitors, prompting him to delve into genetics with lines like, “It’s all in chromosome 16.” My simpler explanation was: “It’s a recessive gene from both of us.”
Despite our best efforts, the questions persisted. In one last bid to explain, I pointed out that my son’s hair resembles that of my mother’s from her childhood. This seemed to resonate well, as it provided a familial context that people seemed to seek, perhaps to rationalize the origins of my child’s unique appearance.
But I’ve grown weary of providing justifications about my son’s hair color. I’d rather not recount a family history of hair shades while navigating a grocery store with a three-year-old in tow. Sometimes I fantasize about responding with something outrageous, but I realize that such a reply wouldn’t be beneficial for my son in learning to engage with the world.
The discomfort I feel stems from the realization that it shouldn’t be my responsibility to answer these comments. Jackie Colliss Harvey, in her book Red: A History of the Redhead, poignantly describes this issue: “Growing up as a redhead, it sometimes felt as if the last person my red hair belonged to was me.” It’s evident that the remarks are directed at my son, yet they fail to acknowledge his presence. When people shout “carrot top” or jest about his supposed lack of a soul, they overlook the fact that he is an individual deserving of respect.
If these individuals were genuinely engaging with my son, they could simply offer a compliment: “Your curly red hair is fantastic!” Unfortunately, I can’t recall a single instance outside our family where such a kind remark has been directed at him.
Now that my son is old enough to converse, I’ve stepped back to allow him to respond. His answer has proven to be both clever and playful: “No, it’s green.” Depending on his mood and the day’s volume of questions, his tone can range from lighthearted to fierce.
This response is brilliant as it establishes his identity and encourages interaction. Many who hear him join in and play along, agreeing, “Yes, it’s a beautiful green color.” His witty retort has even led to some amusing misunderstandings, with certain commenters speculating about colorblindness, a misconception that’s quickly corrected when he enthusiastically identifies colors around us.
For more insights on family dynamics and to enhance your journey, check out our other posts, like the one on the home insemination kit. This link also provides valuable information regarding couples’ fertility journey for intracervical insemination, a trusted resource. Additionally, for anyone considering medical options, the Mayo Clinic offers excellent information regarding insemination processes.
In summary, navigating the commentary surrounding my son’s red hair has been a journey of learning and adaptation. While the questions may be persistent, fostering an environment where my son can assert himself has proven to be a valuable approach.
Keyphrase: Constant remarks about red hair
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