5 Y/o with a Mohawk. What Would You Think?

I love your response to the mom and you are right... get ready to have her baby.

Just because I am feeling facetious (sp?) today, I would tell the mom to use hair spraypaint and paint the mohawk a bright pink. Just put those other moms over the edge!!!

Thank you for being such a good friend to this mom!

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I think you are correct. First it really is no one's business. If my 4 year old wanted a mohawk I would let him. As you said, it isn't hurting anyone. I had some friends in the south that wouldn't cut their boys hair because "it is so cute". I felt bad for the kids because it was 95 degrees and they had a whole head of hair keeping them hot, while I chose to buzz my kids hair to keep them cool. Would I have ever said anything to the mom or another mom?...heck no. It didn't adversely affect me, my children or her kid so to each their own.
I would just hope that you have the courage if something is said to you to either stick up for the mom or at least tell the gossipy parents you aren't interested in listening.

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Wow...the moms at your school would hate me then! My son has had a mohawk, all four kids have had their hair dyed odd colors (pink, purple and blue) and even I've had a mohawk and had my hair dyed different colors.

I agree she should ignore the tongue-waggers. They need to get a life!

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I had a co-worker who had to little boys, 1st & 2nd grade. Last summer they decided they wanted mow-hawks as their summer hair cuts. Oh, they were so very proud to come by the office and show off their new styles. They actually looked adorable. This summer, only one has chosen the mow-hawk look.

My own son has always preferred to keep his hair on the long side. I get comments all the time about the "hippie" hair, and "wow, I would never let my son's hair get that long". Eh, whatever. Hair is hair, it grows.

I think it is one way a child can express themselves.

And shame on those Moms for making ugly comments.

And Kudos to you for being a true friend.

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I love little boys with mohawk's they are too cute.

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My coworker's 2y has one. She jokingly says 'its a culture thing!'
Its summer. Tell the other parents to chill! They are just jealous because they aren't carefree enough to let their kids do it.

Oh, and a tip from a HS friend that had an impressive one with spikes!. Use unflavored gelatin to make it stand. Using flavored just makes it smell when its hot... :-)

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OMG I think mohawks are adorable on little boys. Really they are getting all worked up over a well behaved childs haircut. Don't they have anything better to do. I hate kids with crew cuts but that is my own thing. I would never say mean things just because someone else likes it. As long as it is not harming anyone, to each thier own!!

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My boys got their first mohawks at 5 and 3...gasp my 3yo had a mohawk....I see nothing wrong with it..obviously LOL. We waited until school was out and on the last day they got em..my oldest was in kindergarden and hawks are not aloud in the elementry school so at the end of summer they had to let it grow in so they could get a regular unfun hair cut. I think it's not a persons place to judge someone as a parent by their kids hair cut. I don't like a lot of adults hair cuts but I don't go around bd mouthing them. this mother should tell everyone who has a problem to mind their own business.

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My oldest son never allowed me to give him a mohawk. :-(
My 4yo son at least allows me to keep his hair long.

It's hair. Not a tattoo or nose ring.
There is a ridiculous number of people who seem to have a strange notion that hair is somehow connected to morality. They are dumb.

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Umm ... then she would have freaked about my 2yr old with a mohawk huh?

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I'd think that Mom is pretty strong and doesn't let what other people think influence her decision making abilities!

I'd also think the little boy must have wanted it pretty badly for Mom to let him have it. Let him express himself. He will probably be a strong young man who is not easily influenced by peer pressure. Wouldn't that be a most awesome quality in our kids?!

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My boys had Mohawks at 3 and 5, we used to spike them up and paint them green for special events, they loved it. Right now they have "army cuts", but my 7 year old recently asked to do a mohawk again so he is growing out his hair for one. The way I see it, it is their hair! I would not want someone telling me how I am allowed to style my own hair, and kids should be allowed some individuality when it will not cause them any long term risk. Now, when my 4 year old asked for a tattoo I said no, but when at 3 he asked to pierce his ears I said "sure, why not", I mean they are his ears after all. My 7 year old also just asked for his ears to be done, so we did them. I have had some judgmental people say something to me about it before, but I simply tell them that I believe in letting my children be their own people, in letting them be who they are, not forcing them into some mold others will find acceptable. I find when people judge it says a lot more about them than it does the child or parents of the child, and not good things.

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Well, I do have to admit that itdoes seem a bit trashy (actually at any age), but to each their own!

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My 5 year old has a mohawk now, he's had it for the last 5 or so months. He asked for one - it's hair - it's so not a big deal. He actually wants me to color it green & if I knew where to get green hair gel I would (i am adverse to putting a lot of chemicals in his hair). I think it's crazy when people get all freaked out about stuff like that!

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his hair it will grow back. to each their own.

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My son showed up at preschool with a mohawk...completely shaved on both sides. it looked great! His school picture he made sure that I spiked it for him. My other son went to first grade with a mohawk.
I think it's perfectly fine. I couldn't care less what my kids want to do with their hair. It's theirs! They are good boys, they love school, they have friends, and they had mohawks. No biggie.
Those other parents must have a hard time walking around with a stick so far up the hiney's. It's perfectly fine to not agree with something, not okay to pass judgement about something so stupid.
L.

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My 2 1/2 year old cousin has a mohawk, so I wouldn't think anything about it. Maybe he wanted it, he's old enough to express his opinion. Actually in my family when my cousin got his mohawk so did my 77 year old grandfather!! They took pics together and it was hysterical!

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It is hair, there is only so long in your life you can do anything you want with your hair. Mine is currently purple, why because I am a stay at home mom and my hair is about the only thing I have complete control over. When school is not in session manic panic hair dye is the greatest. We have sported green, red pink and purple. My boys, 5 and 8 both wanted Mohawks to the point that they were growing their hair out in perpetration, the school dress code won't allow them. The deal was that I wouldn't cut their hair until school let out as long as they brushed it every day. They were really looking forward to their liberty spikes and were said when I followed through on the next time you don't brush your hair I am going to cut it. As to why mom's would be upset, they are just a bit judgmental and are assuming that the parents made the choice for the kid verses allowing the kid to make the decision. Really think of all the reasons why you wouldn't do it. Those are the same reasons these people are upset about it but they are personalizing it where as you are being objective and saying different strokes for different folks.

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I am with you, I wouldn't think much of it. Good for her for letting her son do something cool to express himself while he is young and able.

Now, if my boss came to work with one, totally different story.

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My nephew is 5, and seriously the most well-behaved child I know. And I am not being biased. He has won awards at school for honesty, helpfulness, and being nice to others. He has a mohawk. So what lol! Its just hair, and doesnt make a kid bad! Kudos to you for being more relaxed than those other mamas. :)

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If the school had a rule and she were placing her child in a position, it would be an issue. If there isn't a rule- wooo hooo! Cool hair!

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well, when else will people have the opportunity to do wacky things to their hair other than when they're kids? I want to put purple streaks in my hair, but I cant because I'm a grown up with a grown up job. If a 5 year old wants to experiment with his hair, well, it grows back, it's only hair.

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Hair grows back. I would assume the parents are more laid back and think it is fun. Their son probably begged to do it and they thought, hey, why not! It'll grow back and he'll have fun for a while. But there are a lot of people who are judgmental and think you are "trashy" if you let your kids wear their hair like that. So, if you let your son do that you have to be prepared for plenty of people to think that about you. If you can not be bothered by what other people think and say about you then it's all ok.

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my sons hair is not shaved into a mohawk but he slicks it into one sometimes and I don't care. I think its cool and not a big deal.

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Folks should just mind their own business. I let my 10 year old (he's 21 now) COMPLETELY shave his head once, I'm talkin shavin cream and razor. It all grows back so tell your friend "Mohawk on!!!". NO BIG DEAL at all.

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My 1yo. regularly sports a babyhawk.

People are SILLY!

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I don't think it should be made into a huge issue... he will not have this hair style forever.. give it a week or so... it will grow back! - its just a thing parents do sometimes to get a kick out of other people's reactions...

If the school has a problem with that.. that's a different story.

But, common, he is 5!! Its funny! Will make for some wacky photographs to show his future wife... LOL.

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I bet he looks really cute!!! I wouldnt do it, but I wouldnt do a buzz cut either. Its hair, it grows back!

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My son used to get a mohawk from about age 5 to 7, an intimidation factor because he was on a wrestling team. I think they are kinda ugly, but it's only hair.... people can be so anal.

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Yikes. I'm glad they can't see some of my friend's children's haircuts.

It's hair. It grows back. Of all the things to sweat about, hair cuts are not on MY list ;-)

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It is just hair - I can't believe other parents were making such a huge deal about this.

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Little boys have long hair that is swept all the way over from the other side these days and these people have an issue with a mohawk? They need to get a grip! It's only hair.

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i love it!!
We gave our son (who is now 13) a Mohawk when he was about 5 1/2. he asked for it and we are cool with it. it's just hair, it grows back. I don't understand why other parents would be upset about it. I understand if you don't like it for your child, that's fine. But what do you care how another mom chooses to cut her child's hair??? The audasicity that people have, seriously. Tell that mama way to go and to ignore the rude comments. her son is simply showing his individuality instead of being a sheep....perfectly awesome!

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Its really not. When my 17 year old first started dating her boyfriend 4 years ago, he shaved his head into one after a few months (she was 13 and he was 15) and I threw a fit. All it did was ruin any chance of me forming a relationship with his mom and he barely talks around me now. Shes 17 and hes 19, he still has the mohawk, and its constantly changing colors.
Funny note, my 17 year old has an undercut, her hair is completely shaved on one side. She loves it!
Personally, he has one mom and she made her choice, everyone else should but their nose out if his parents are so nice to everyone

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I hate Mohawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry :(

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LoL in Hawaii, ALL the kids are wearing mohawks. I am from Dallas, so when my daughter started kindergarten I was REALLY surprised to see so many little kids with them (and some died colors!) It's not a big deal, but I still don't really like it in the classroom simply because it is distracting. Older grades it wouldn't bother me, but I don't like it in elementary.

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I totally agree with your stand on it. I think people get upset because there is a perceived notion about things that are out of the norm. If you give a child a mohawk--or let him decide that he wants he hair like that--you are going to make him a rebel or very bad boy. It is a shame. As long as the kids are great and not obnoxious, I would say whatever. And really, i know quite a few kids that have regular cuts and are royal pain in the you know what.

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I think they are cute! I would not mind at all. Maybe I'm different because I grew up in Laguna Beach and was the surfer type. I just moved to VA and I sometimes feel out of place. Some people here are just so uptight! We are a very laid back family and I have even thought of giving my son a mohawk who is 3

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I think little boys with mohawks are so cute!!! I love it!!! Those party poopers are just being overly conservative and stereotypical. A 5 year old having a mohawk is not setting him up to be a criminal. But some people judge others by their appearance. Even if it is a well behaved 5 year old. Sad... :(

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Bigger issues in life to worry about than how someone chooses to style their kids' hair. Who cares? I wouldn't allow a Mohawk, but if someone else wants to, so be it. Those gossipy moms must not have any real worries in life to deal with.

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I think it depends on the school. If the school has a rule against it in their policies, then the parents should respect that and stay away from the style. Children need to learn to respect the rules, even if they don't agree with them. If the school doesn't have a policy against it, then it's the parent's decision.

Personally, I don't like them on young children, but to each their own.

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Maybe he cut his own hair really horribly on one side and that was the only fix? I've seen a lot of little boys with mohawks, I prefer it shaved close but not bald, but it really is just hair. At least she didn't pierce his nose too or give him a tattoo! =)

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Wouldn't bother me at all. I've told my kids that as long as they're old enough to do it themselves without any help from me, they can do whatever they want to their hair. If they want pink dreadlocks, that's cool with me, just don't involve me in the dyeing/braiding/paying-for-it-all portion. I don't see why a kid with a mohawk is such a big deal...Now a 5 y/o with a tattoo? That would surprise me.

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Well, I wouldn't do it, but, eh, to each his own right? Guess I'm with you.

:)

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I guess that I think that they should have waited until the 1st day of summer and then celebrated with a crazy fun hairdo. School should be respected with respectable attire and non-distracting hair, no matter the age. I think that precedents are set early on. Encouraging kids to go against societal norms can get them picked on and singled out. It is great to be an individual, but not a rebel. There is a fine line to teach about not just blindly following the crowd but at the same time not being a black sheep. I guess that they did this for the attention...and they certainly got that. And to me it is no surprise that it is negative attention.

(I will note that my son got a mohawk one year with my permission...he was 13, it was his idea...it was in the middle of summer...it was for a swim meet...and it grew back before school started.)

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Hmmm. My experience (form my son's decade in the 70's-80's) is that the kids who wore mohawks did drugs, were rebels, were disrespectful, socially disadvantaged, and rebelling from their parents dysfunctional ways.

That MIGHT be where some parents are coming from. That that mom might be handing her son a sign that suggests that she might encourage that behavior, personality, and might even have that in her background or her current situation.

I've seen a lot of cute little boys sporting a mohawk in this decade and I don't have the same wariness about it IF they don't exhibit any of the other issues I've seen but it does give me a knee jerk reaction at first.

I would never, ever say that to a child or parent, but I'd bet that these people that do say something think that they are trying to protect the child and enlighten the parent for the child's sake. Wish they wouldn't.

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Wow, I'm glad you said what you did. As I read the post I was worried you were going to be upset with that mom for her son's mohawk.

I gave my son a mohawk when he was 5 and my other son, I SHAVED his head BALD when he was 5. Both because THEY requested them. Both because they were confident enough to try something new without worrying about the comments of other kids.

Luckily for me (I guess) no one cared. Probably some people thought it looked weird but our kids got a kick out of it, and their hair eventually grew out and we cut it back to a traditional style. Actually, I think a lot of their friends thought, "Man, I wish *I* could do something like that."

It's only hair. Judging a kid on their hairstyle is no better than judging a person because of their weight or skin color. It's only a physical appearance. It doesn't change who they are on the inside.

Good for you for showing this mom some support!

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I'd probably giggle and then not think about it again if a 5 yr old showed up with a mohawk. The hair rule in our house: As long as it's clean and brushed the kid gets to decide what happens with their own hair. My 2nd son wanted a green mohawk. (He got the mohawk and a little colored hair spray.) Then he wanted to be bald like his dad. (The easiest haircut in the world!). His current preference is long hair.
It's just hair. Honestly, I have better battles to pick.

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I don't think a mohawk is a big deal. Our schools don't allow them during the school year, but 2 of my friends let their sons do this during the summer last year. No big deal at all. Both of these boys are great kids, they were just having fun!

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Hey it is just a hair cut.

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My nephew keeps showing up at his dads house with mohawks and i don't like them. He is a very cute kid but the mohawk looks ridiculous on him. I say that's something to do when they are older because they don't realize how strange it may really look. That's just my opinion. I see teenagers at the high school with really huge mohawks and dyed blue! I think it is absolutely unnecessary to wear to school. It distracts other students and is worse than wearing a hat at the dinner table.

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Obviously these other parents have nothing better to do... I see it all the time...

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It wouldn't bother me, other than I just don't like Mohawk, but I sure wouldn't say anything negative about allowing it... Now if the kid came to school with Tattoos I'd make a comment... But hair, no big deal...

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I think a lot of parents see a Mohawk as a sign if rebellion and since a lot of kids don't understand that, it's kind of a way for the child's parent(s) to express their sense if rebellion through their child. I don't have a problem with it personally but when I joked to my mother (who was a pre-school teacher) once about giving my son a Mohawk, she said teachers always tag those kids as trouble makers. Since I didn't want prejudgment on my son, I decided against it.

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Frankly it is no ones business. This is what makes everyone unique. By choosing what they like. My son back in the day had a mohawk (14 yrs ago when he was about 6). He chose this hair style because HE LIKED it. I didn't really care for it but it was his choice. At 6 yrs old. Everyone should keep their mouth shut. And the parents behind these children should have a discussion about choices in life and keeping hurtful remarks to themselves. I don't recall ever making remarks about parents who put thier children in preppy little polo shirts or bows in girls hair etc. So why would you make remarks about a haircut that will grow out and is probably a phase?

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I Just think it's funny (i.e. sad) that these other parents care that much. I see kids with funky hair and clothes all of the time and find it cute. I really don't think it's much different from the kid that needs a haircut and he's disheveled to the kid that dresses him/herself in clashing clothing.
Mohawks don't equal future junkie and delinquent (which is probably what the other parents are equating it with).
Please tell your friend that she should be proud that her son has enough self esteem to carry off the Mohawk. My kids are getting to the age where they want to conform and I wish they were more daring. : )

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We have at least one child in Head Start with a mohawk. One is shaved the other has very short hair on the sides and then long down the middle. My little guy often wears a faux mo. I don't want to commit to a cut hair style that would require hair products that cost money to make it stand up stiffly. He really wants a real one though but I am not willing to commit to it. He's only 4 and I do his hair. Otherwise I wouldn't care.

When he's older if he wants knee length hair and keeps it clean and brushed then it's his choice. The most beautiful hair I ever saw was on a guy that had waist length hair, black, long curls, shiny, soft, just dang gorgeous. He had a true Winter complexion so you can imagine he was really handsome.

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I don't think it's a big deal. Outside the usual norm, but it's just hair. It doesn't make him a bad kid or them bad parents.

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That is so not a big deal as far as I'm concerned, what a bunch of bitties at the school.
I would rather have a well-behaved, kind, fun-loving kid with a mohawk around than a clean-cut sorta kid who is obnoxious, rude and ill-mannered. ;)

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Why would anyone care? It sounds like they don't have enough to keep them busy. Hair is not a big deal. It grows back. If she did it to be mean and the kid hated it that would be different. My grandson has had a mohawk. It is ridicilous for other parents to butt in on something that is obviously none of their business. And to attack a pregnant woman,Shame On Them!

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I'll take a mohawk over sagging pants any day :) LOL!

I'm glad you're standing by your friend. You are a great encourager and at 8.5 months pregnant the last thing she needs is to have such negativity over something that doesn't matter a bit in the long run.

Blessings to you and your friend today!

L.

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My boys (4 and 5) begged me to let them have mohawks last fall after seeing another boy with one. I wasn't really sure at first but my husband had been asking for a while to let them try it, so I caved. We left it in for a few weeks and then buzzed it. No biggie. We got no negative reactions. Even at church everyone thought it was cute and fun. I let them have them again this Spring for 2 weeks. They loved it, and I buzzed it when the sides started to grow. They are little kids!! They thought it was awesome, so I'm glad I let them and I will do it again probably at the end of each soccer season (spring and fall).

Personally, my son would only have a mohawk if HE wanted it. And, if he wanted it and liked it, then I wouldn't care what anyone else thought. If her so is happy, so be it.

I'm surprised to hear that the school allows it though, none of the school around here allow mohawks.

-L.

Our 3 year old daughter has a mowhawk. It was my (very conservative, straight-laced, football quaterback, quiet, nerdy-but-cute) husband's idea. He said, "When else will she be able to do this? She's three."

We love it, no more food stuck in her hair (we have had to CUT pieces out) and it's like a 100 degrees out there, so she is much cooler now too.

I'm not sure why people seem to care so much about stuff like this, other than they have low self esteem and have to focus on others instead of themselves. No kids' hair ever destroyed their life. But comments from peers, parents, and strangers can.

TAKE A BREATH EVERYONE, LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF, AND MOVE ON. I'M SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF FLAWS YOU COULD BE FOCUSING ON INSTEAD.

If we don't let our kids express themselves with non-permanent things like hair, makeup, clothes, etc. then they might feel the need to do it with piercing and tattoos. I was that child who was not allowed to do anything funky by my mom. I secretly gave myself piercings and carved stuff in m skin - all stuff that was easily hidden from my mom.

When I moved in with my dad he let me do whatever I wanted non-permanently. I had hair shaved underneath that was long and purple. I wore lots of black eyeliner, combat boots and dresses. I no longer needed to do any of the other stuff. I had a 3.5 GPA, went to and graduated from college, went in the army, had a successful career and now am a stay at home mom.

In the grand scheme of life, how important is hair really? As an adult we have to look a certain part for work. I have to attend functions with my husband and can no longer do anything fun appearance wise. As a kid we get to try on all kinds of looks and roles and figure out where we want to go in life!

i love mohawks on little boys, so cute!

Yikes! I would NEVER do that to either of my sons. Hopefully, they never do it to themselves either! :-) But, that's just it. MY SONS. Not her sons. She does what she wants with his hair as long as it isn't detrimental to the child.

I personally don't like it, but hey, it's only hair (I don't like rat tails or mullets either). I have to admit though, I get a little judgy in my mind when I see this, because all the families I know that let their kids get mohawks are pretty trashy. I don't know any nice, polite, well-behaved kids that happen to have mohawks. However, it's none of my business and I certainly would not say anything to them about it if that is what they allowed their kid to have. I keep my opinions to myself, unless asked (except on here - but then again, people are asking).

i would do what you just did. If the kids are well behaved and the parents are good people, it really does not matter.

But well i guess many people do go by external appearances and from their perspective, it can get to be hassle, if their kid comes home and asks them for the mohawk, that parent might not be inclined to do it and then will have to explain to them why and it can get all messy.

For e.g.. we are vegetarian (partly by choice, partly by religion) and trust me it is not easy to explain to my 6 yr old every time he asks to taste pepperoni pizza or asks why others can eat and we cannot....although i do not tell him, that it is a taboo, i just try to tell him that all families have a lifestyle/choices and they are comfortable with them. We should do what we as a family are comfortable doing and this is not a choice we are comfortable with. Not sure he gets convinced, but works on him not asking anymore questions :-)

I think one of the problems with society today is that people care more about how someone looks than how they act. Have you noticed how many "beautiful" people get away with things??? Who cares how he looks if he is well behaved? Like others have said..it's only hair

I don't think it's a big deal. He probably said he wanted a mohawk, he probably WON'T be able to have a haircut like that in elementry school, and it's summer! To me it's probably just for fun! What about when parents let their kids hair grow long (my son when through a phase where he wanted his hair long...it never got past his neck, but it got shaggy and long.) We let him try it like that for a while, and then cut it all off again. It's HAIR! It GROWS! Aren't we lucky! Those other parents need to shut their mouths. For all they know, the boy had lice and that was the easiest way to fix it before the new baby and still have it look cute! Shame on them!