My hair and my son's sensory issues

[Guest guest]

Yes they relate. My hair has been very long for as long as my son can remember,

generally at least waist length. When he was younger it was a huge source of

comfort for him. He would play with it and when he would crawl in bed with me

he would wrap himself up in it. As he has gotten older, now 12, I have put more

limits on it that are more age appropriate.

Recently my health has taken a down turn and taking care of it has become

increasingly difficult and I was nearly in tears yesterday morning trying to

brush it out. So yesterday afternoon I call my beautician and she squeezed me

in. (She had to sit down when I told her we were cutting it off, lol.) Anyway

I realized as I was sitting in the chair I hadn't told the kid at all.

When I came home he had a meltdown. Not pretty. He felt it was a personal

slight. I don't even dare let him know it is in the house waiting to be mailed

off.

This morning before we went to church we stopped at the store and I found a

super furry baby blanket as a replacement of sorts, which he does like.

Has anyone else handled something like this?

Becky

[Guest guest]

It might be a less of his reaction to losing a sensory comfort and more about dealing with a change. Change is typically tough for our kids. If he sees you and you look so different, that in and of itself might be the hardest thing to deal with. The good news is that most seem to perseverate rather quickly so soon enough, he'll get to used to how you look and then will not want you to grow it out! Just remember, you have to take care of yourself, so it's good you had it cut. This could turn into a learning opportunity for him.

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: Becky <doodlebugboodles@...> Sent: Sun, February 14, 2010 1:56:22 PMSubject: ( ) My hair and my son's sensory issues

Yes they relate. My hair has been very long for as long as my son can remember, generally at least waist length. When he was younger it was a huge source of comfort for him. He would play with it and when he would crawl in bed with me he would wrap himself up in it. As he has gotten older, now 12, I have put more limits on it that are more age appropriate. Recently my health has taken a down turn and taking care of it has become increasingly difficult and I was nearly in tears yesterday morning trying to brush it out. So yesterday afternoon I call my beautician and she squeezed me in. (She had to sit down when I told her we were cutting it off, lol.) Anyway I realized as I was sitting in the chair I hadn't told the kid at all.When I came home he had a meltdown. Not pretty. He felt it was a personal slight. I don't even dare let him know it is in the house waiting to be mailed off.This morning before we went to church we stopped

at the store and I found a super furry baby blanket as a replacement of sorts, which he does like.Has anyone else handled something like this?Becky

[Guest guest]

I agree with you both...it's the change, and the sensory. My son is extremely

attached to me and always has been. He's 11 now and still wants to sit in my lap

or cuddle on the couch. I always joke with my sister " thank goodness I had to

quit breastfeeding...he'd probably sill wan to! " . ha ha ha . So to set age

appropriate behavior with him, I don't let him sleep in my bed when Dad's on a

trip anymore. Instead I let him have my pillowcase, and a t-shirt of Dad's to

sleep in. My guess is your hair was a big cuddle aid for your son, it was a part

of who you are. Maybe you could give him something of yours as a comfort item?

There is a place online that you can have teddy bears made out of someone who's

passed away's blankets or clothing. They're called memory bears...you'll have to

google it. I bet they also can make soemthing like that out of a favorite shirt

or blanket of yours. I've always dyed my hair different colors. My son used to

freak out when I'd come hom a red head or darker brunette or whatever:) He'd

kind of look at me like " who are you?! " and he'd be mad at me for dying it. Now

he's used to it though,a nd he only looks at me slightly funy :)Being a stay at

home Mom, I spend a lot of time in jeans and t-shirts...if I ever get dressed up

it upsets him too. It's kind of funny